The role of the T follicular helper cells in allergic disease.
T follicular helper (Tfh) cells were discovered just over a decade ago as germinal centre T cells that help B cells make antibodies. Included in this role is affinity maturation and isotype switching. It is here that their functions become less clear. Tfh cells principally produce IL-21 which inhibits class switching to IgE. Recent studies have questioned whether the germinal centre is the main site of IgE class switching or IgE affinity maturation. In this review, I will examine the evidence that these cells are responsible for regulating IgE class switching and the relationship between Tfh cells and T helper 2 (Th2) effector cells.
Department of Microbiology and Immunology Programme, National University of Singapore, Singapore. mickdm@nus.edu.sg
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Kemeny
D000818:Animals; D001402:B-Lymphocytes / Q000276:immunology; D002454:Cell Differentiation; D018858:Germinal Center / Q000276:immunology / Q000473:pathology; D006801:Humans; D006967:Hypersensitivity / Q000276:immunology* / Q000378:metabolism; D007073:Immunoglobulin E / Q000276:immunology / Q000378:metabolism; D007378:Interleukins / Q000276:immunology / Q000378:metabolism; D006377:T-Lymphocytes, Helper-Inducer / Q000276:immunology* / Q000378:metabolism; D000098546:Interleukin-21
D007378:Interleukins; D007073:Immunoglobulin E; D000098546:Interleukin-21