title: T-cell subsets in the germinal center.
abstract: T cells are known to migrate to B-cell-enriched follicles and germinal centers within secondary lymphoid organs to provide help to B cells. Cognate T:B interactions that take place at the T:B border and subsequently within germinal centers are essential for B-cell priming, differentiation into germinal center B cells, and selection of mutated cells into memory B cells or memory plasma cells. In recent years, different stages of maturation within B-cell helper T cells, collectively known as B-follicular helper T (Tfh) cells, as well as heterogeneity amid germinal center T cells are becoming clear. Indeed, germinal centers support not only bona fide Tfh cells but also CD4(+)  and CD8(+)  follicular regulatory T (Tfr) cells that act to suppress germinal center responses and B-cell helper natural killer T cells. There is a growing need for more precise phenotypic and functional distinction of these specialized T-cell subsets. In this review, we summarize current knowledge on the ontogeny, molecular identity, and functional relevance of the various subsets of germinal center T cells.
authors: Department of Pathogens and Immunity, John Curtin School of Medical Research, Australian National University, Canberra, ACT, Australia. Roy.Ramiscal@anu.edu.au
authors: Roybel R
authors: RR
authors: Ramiscal
authors: Carola G
authors: CG
authors: Vinuesa
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D001402:B-Lymphocytes / Q000166:cytology / Q000276:immunology*; D018414:CD8-Positive T-Lymphocytes / Q000166:cytology / Q000276:immunology; D002450:Cell Communication; D002454:Cell Differentiation; D019070:Cell Lineage / Q000276:immunology*; D018858:Germinal Center / Q000166:cytology / Q000276:immunology*; D006801:Humans; D007156:Immunologic Memory; D007694:Killer Cells, Natural / Q000166:cytology / Q000276:immunology; D008213:Lymphocyte Activation; D051379:Mice; D010950:Plasma Cells / Q000166:cytology / Q000276:immunology; D006377:T-Lymphocytes, Helper-Inducer / Q000166:cytology / Q000276:immunology*