T follicular helper cells differentiate from Th2 cells in response to helminth antigens

J Exp Med. 2009 May 11;206(5):991-9. doi: 10.1084/jem.20090303. Epub 2009 Apr 20.

Abstract

The relationship of T follicular helper (TFH) cells to other T helper (Th) subsets is controversial. We find that after helminth infection, or immunization with helminth antigens, reactive lymphoid organs of 4get IL-4/GFP reporter mice contain populations of IL-4/GFP-expressing CD4(+) T cells that display the TFH markers CXCR5, PD-1, and ICOS. These TFH cells express the canonical TFH markers BCL6 and IL-21, but also GATA3, the master regulator of Th2 cell differentiation. Consistent with a relationship between Th2 and TFH cells, IL-4 protein production, reported by expression of huCD2 in IL-4 dual reporter (4get/KN2) mice, was a robust marker of TFH cells in LNs responding to helminth antigens. Moreover, the majority of huCD2/IL-4-producing Th cells were found within B cell follicles, consistent with their definition as TFH cells. TFH cell development after immunization failed to occur in mice lacking B cells or CD154. The relationship of TFH cells to the Th2 lineage was confirmed when TFH cells were found to develop from CXCR5(-) PD-1(-) IL-4/GFP(+) CD4(+) T cells after their transfer into naive mice and antigen challenge in vivo.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Antibody Formation
  • Antigens, Helminth / immunology*
  • B-Lymphocytes / immunology
  • CD4-Positive T-Lymphocytes / immunology
  • Cell Differentiation / immunology
  • Genes, Reporter
  • Helminthiasis / immunology*
  • Immunoglobulin E / immunology
  • Immunoglobulin G / immunology
  • Interleukin-13 / immunology
  • Interleukin-4 / immunology
  • Mice
  • Mice, Transgenic
  • Schistosomiasis mansoni / immunology
  • T-Lymphocyte Subsets / immunology
  • T-Lymphocytes, Helper-Inducer / immunology*
  • Th2 Cells / cytology
  • Th2 Cells / immunology*

Substances

  • Antigens, Helminth
  • Immunoglobulin G
  • Interleukin-13
  • Interleukin-4
  • Immunoglobulin E