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Circulating CXCR5+CD4+helper T cells in systemic lupus erythematosus patients share phenotypic properties with germinal center follicular helper T cells and promote antibody production.

Abstract：

OBJECTIVE:Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is an autoimmune disease characterized by the production of autoantibodies. Recently, a specific highly activated T helper cell subset, follicular helper T (Tfh) cell, has emerged as a key immunoregulator of germinal center (GC) formation and high-affinity antibody production. To identify the pathophysiological role of Tfh cells in SLE patients, we compared the phenotypic and functional properties of circulating Tfh-like cells in lupus patients to GC-Tfh cells, and correlated the percentage of Tfh-like cells with autoantibody production and SLE disease activity. METHODS:Peripheral blood was collected from 29 lupus patients and 25 healthy controls. Tonsils were obtained surgically from non-SLE controls and used as a source of GC-Tfh cells. Tfh cells were defined by their signature surface markers (CXCR5, ICOS, CD57, PD-1 and BTLA) via flow cytometry. IL-21 expression levels from Tfh cells were measured by real-time PCR and intracellular staining. The function of Tfh cells was carried out by co-culture of Tfh cells and autologous B cells in vitro. IgG in the culture supernatant was detected by ELISA. RESULTS:The frequency of circulating Tfh-like cells was significantly increased in SLE patients compared to healthy controls (p < 0.05). The Tfh-like cells not only display similar phenotypes and signature cytokines with GC-Tfh cells, but also are capable of driving B cells to differentiate into IgG-secreting plasma cells in vitro. In addition, the frequency of Tfh-like cells correlated positively with the percentage of circulating plasmablasts, levels of serum anti-dsDNA antibodies and ANA. CONCLUSION:The accumulated circulating Tfh-like cells in lupus patients share phenotypic and functional properties with GC-Tfh cells. Tfh-like cells may serve as perpetuators in the pathogenesis of SLE by enhancing the self-reactive B cell clones to further differentiate into auto antibody-producing plasmablasts, and ultimately cause autoimmunity.

journal_name

Lupus

journal_title

Lupus

authors

Zhang X,Lindwall E,Gauthier C,Lyman J,Spencer N,Alarakhia A,Fraser A,Ing S,Chen M,Webb-Detiege T,Zakem J,Davis W,Choi YS,Quinet R

doi

10.1177/0961203314567750

subject

Has Abstract

pub_date

2015-08-01 00:00:00

pages

909-17

issue

eissn

0961-2033

issn

1477-0962

pii

0961203314567750

journal_volume

pub_type

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Circulating CXCR5+CD4+helper T cells in systemic lupus erythematosus patients share phenotypic properties with germinal center follicular helper T cells and promote antibody production.