| First Author | Johnston RJ | Year | 2009 |
| Journal | Science | Volume | 325 |
| Issue | 5943 | Pages | 1006-10 |
| PubMed ID | 19608860 | Mgi Jnum | J:151690 |
| Mgi Id | MGI:4355079 | Doi | 10.1126/science.1175870 |
| Citation | Johnston RJ, et al. (2009) Bcl6 and Blimp-1 are reciprocal and antagonistic regulators of T follicular helper cell differentiation. Science 325(5943):1006-10 |
| abstractText | Effective B cell-mediated immunity and antibody responses often require help from CD4+ T cells. It is thought that a distinct CD4+ effector T cell subset, called T follicular helper cells (T(FH)), provides this help; however, the molecular requirements for T(FH) differentiation are unknown. We found that expression of the transcription factor Bcl6 in CD4+ T cells is both necessary and sufficient for in vivo T(FH) differentiation and T cell help to B cells in mice. In contrast, the transcription factor Blimp-1, an antagonist of Bcl6, inhibits T(FH) differentiation and help, thereby preventing B cell germinal center and antibody responses. These findings demonstrate that T(FH) cells are required for proper B cell responses in vivo and that Bcl6 and Blimp-1 play central but opposing roles in T(FH) differentiation. |
