| First Author | Gowthaman U | Year | 2019 |
| Journal | Science | Volume | 365 |
| Issue | 6456 | PubMed ID | 31371561 |
| Mgi Jnum | J:279112 | Mgi Id | MGI:6359777 |
| Doi | 10.1126/science.aaw6433 | Citation | Gowthaman U, et al. (2019) Identification of a T follicular helper cell subset that drives anaphylactic IgE. Science 365(6456) |
| abstractText | Cross-linking of high-affinity immunoglobulin E (IgE) results in the life-threatening allergic reaction anaphylaxis. Yet the cellular mechanisms that induce B cells to produce IgE in response to allergens remain poorly understood. T follicular helper (TFH) cells direct the affinity and isotype of antibodies produced by B cells. Although TFH cell-derived interleukin-4 (IL-4) is necessary for IgE production, it is not sufficient. We report a rare population of IL-13-producing TFH cells present in mice and humans with IgE to allergens, but not when allergen-specific IgE was absent or only low-affinity. These "TFH13" cells have an unusual cytokine profile (IL-13(hi)IL-4(hi)IL-5(hi)IL-21(lo)) and coexpress the transcription factors BCL6 and GATA3. TFH13 cells are required for production of high- but not low-affinity IgE and subsequent allergen-induced anaphylaxis. Blocking TFH13 cells may represent an alternative therapeutic target to ameliorate anaphylaxis. |
