| First Author | Andris F | Year | 2017 |
| Journal | Front Immunol | Volume | 8 |
| Pages | 480 | PubMed ID | 28496444 |
| Mgi Jnum | J:346776 | Mgi Id | MGI:7618864 |
| Doi | 10.3389/fimmu.2017.00480 | Citation | Andris F, et al. (2017) The Transcription Factor c-Maf Promotes the Differentiation of Follicular Helper T Cells. Front Immunol 8:480 |
| abstractText | Follicular helper T cells (Tfh) have been identified as the primary cell subpopulation regulating B cell responses in germinal centers, thus supporting high-affinity antibody production. Among the transcription factors orchestrating Tfh cell differentiation and function, the role played by the proto-oncogene c-Maf remains poorly characterized. We report herein that selective loss of c-Maf expression in the T cell compartment results in defective development of Tfh cells in response to both antigen/adjuvant vaccinations and commensal intestinal bacteria. Accordingly, c-Maf expression in T cells was essential for the development and high-affinity antibody secretion in vaccinated animals. c-Maf was expressed early, concomitantly to BCL6, in Tfh cell precursors and found to regulate Tfh fate in a cell-autonomous fashion. Altogether, our findings reveal a novel, non-redundant, function for c-Maf in the differentiation of Tfh cells and the regulation of humoral immune responses to T-cell-dependent antigens. |
