Local development of effector and memory T helper cells.
Clonal evolution underpins all facets of adaptive immunity. In particular, antigen-specific helper T (Th) cell development is central to high-affinity B cell immunity and protective vaccination. Dendritic cell maturation and TCR affinity-based selection mechanisms control the recruitment and effective propagation of preferred antigen-specific Th cell cohorts in local lymphoid tissue. Importantly, follicular B helper T (T(FH)) cells emerge as the specialized local effector Th cells that orchestrate the stepwise development of B cell immunity in these local environments. Recent studies also introduce the role of persistent antigen in the development of effector Th cells with evidence for long-term antigen depots that might contribute to local antigen-specific Th cell memory.
Fazilleau
Nicolas
N
Department of Immunology, The Scripps Research Institute, La Jolla, CA 92037, USA.
McHeyzer-Williams
Louise J
LJ
McHeyzer-Williams
Michael G
MG
D000818:Animals; D001402:B-Lymphocytes / Q000276:immunology; D003713:Dendritic Cells / Q000276:immunology; D018858:Germinal Center / Q000276:immunology; D006801:Humans; D007156:Immunologic Memory; D008213:Lymphocyte Activation / Q000276:immunology*; D018448:Models, Immunological; D016176:T-Lymphocyte Subsets / Q000276:immunology*; D006377:T-Lymphocytes, Helper-Inducer / Q000276:immunology*