title: Follicular Helper T (Tfh) Cells in Autoimmune Diseases and Allograft Rejection.
abstract: Production of high affinity antibodies for antigens is a critical component for the immune system to fight off infectious pathogens. However, it could be detrimental to our body when the antigens that B cells recognize are of self-origin. Follicular helper T, or Tfh, cells are required for the generation of germinal center reactions, where high affinity antibody-producing B cells and memory B cells predominantly develop. As such, Tfh cells are considered as targets to prevent B cells from producing high affinity antibodies against self-antigens, when high affinity autoantibodies are responsible for immunopathologies in autoimmune disorders. This review article provides an overview of current understanding of Tfh cells and discusses it in the context of animal models of autoimmune diseases and allograft rejections for generation of novel therapeutic interventions.
authors: Department of Biological Sciences, Seoul National University Graduate School, Seoul 03080, Korea.
authors: Yun-Hui
authors: YH
authors: Jeon
authors: Transplant Research Institute, Department of Medicine, Seoul National University College of Medicine, Seoul 03080, Korea.; Department of Biological Sciences, Seoul National University Graduate School, Seoul 03080, Korea.; Seoul National University Hospital, Seoul 03080, Korea.
authors: Youn Soo
authors: YS
authors: Choi
keywords: Allograft rejection; Autoantibodies; Autoimmunity; Germinal center reactions; Tfh