The Transcription Factor c-Maf Promotes the Differentiation of Follicular Helper T Cells

Frontiers in Immunology

Fabienne Andris¹  Hind Hussein¹  Maelle Anciaux¹  Mélanie Hercor¹  Sébastien Denanglaire¹  Oberdan Leo¹ 

[1] Laboratoire d’Immunobiologie, Université Libre de Bruxelles, Brussels, Belgium;

关键词: CD4+ T lymphocytes;    follicular helper T cells;    humoral response;    c-Maf;    T cell differentiation;   

DOI  :  10.3389/fimmu.2017.00480

来源: DOAJ

【 摘 要 】

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.

【 授权许可】

Unknown