title: Can follicular helper T cells be targeted to improve vaccine efficacy?
abstract: The success of most vaccines relies on the generation of antibodies to provide protection against subsequent infection; this in turn depends on a robust germinal centre (GC) response that culminates in the production of long-lived antibody-secreting plasma cells. The size and quality of the GC response are directed by a specialised subset of CD4 (+) T cells: T follicular helper (Tfh) cells. Tfh cells provide growth and differentiation signals to GC B cells and mediate positive selection of high-affinity B cell clones in the GC, thereby determining which B cells exit the GC as plasma cells and memory B cells. Because of their central role in the production of long-lasting humoral immunity, Tfh cells represent an interesting target for rational vaccine design.
authors.affiliation: Laboratory of Lymphocyte Signalling and Development, Babraham Institute, Cambridge, CB22 3AT, UK.
authors.forename: Michelle A
authors.initials: MA
authors.lastname: Linterman
authors.affiliation: Laboratory of Lymphocyte Signalling and Development, Babraham Institute, Cambridge, CB22 3AT, UK.
authors.forename: Danika L
authors.initials: DL
authors.lastname: Hill
keywords: T follicular helper cells; antibody; immunity; vaccines