title: The regulation and role of T follicular helper cells in immunity.
abstract: It is well established that the generation of a high-affinity long-lived antibody response requires the presence of T cells, specifically CD4+ T cells. These CD4+ T cells support the generation of a germinal centre (GC) response where somatic hypermutation and affinity maturation take place leading to the generation of memory B cells and plasma cells, which provide long-lasting protection. Greater insight into the nature of the CD4+ T cells involved in this process was provided by two studies in 2000 that described CD4+ T cells residing in the B cell follicle that expressed CXCR5. As a result these cells were named follicular B helper T cells, now more commonly known as T follicular helper (Tfh) cells. Since then there has been enormous growth in our understanding of these cells, now considered a distinct T helper (Th) cell lineage that can arise from naive CD4+ T cells following activation. This review summarizes some of the most recent work that has characterized Tfh cells and the pathways that lead to their generation.
authors: Immunology Program, Garvan Institute of Medical Research, Darlinghurst, NSW, Australia. e.deenick@garvan.org.au
authors: Elissa K
authors: EK
authors: Deenick
authors: Cindy S
authors: CS
authors: Ma
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D001402:B-Lymphocytes / Q000276:immunology; D015496:CD4-Positive T-Lymphocytes / Q000276:immunology*; D019070:Cell Lineage; D018858:Germinal Center / Q000276:immunology; D006801:Humans; D007109:Immunity / Q000276:immunology*; D008213:Lymphocyte Activation / Q000276:immunology; D008221:Lymphoid Tissue / Q000166:cytology / Q000276:immunology; D054380:Receptors, CXCR5 / Q000276:immunology; D006377:T-Lymphocytes, Helper-Inducer / Q000276:immunology*
chemical_list: D054380:Receptors, CXCR5