Definition
T follicular helper (TFH) cells are CD4+T helper cells that localize in germinal centers of secondary lymphoid tissues and specialize in supporting B-cell differentiation and maturation, mainly through secretion of IL-21. These cells are phenotypically characterized by constitutive expression of the B-cell follicle homing marker CXCR5, and their developmental program seems to be guided by the transcription factor Bcl6. Increasing data suggest that functional defects of TFH cells during HIV-1 infection contribute to dysregulation of humoral immunity and decreased responsiveness to vaccines in HIV-1-infected persons. In addition, TFH cells seem to be highly susceptible to HIV-1 infection and may play an important role as a cellular reservoir for HIV-1 persistence. Manipulation of TFH cells may be necessary for the induction of HIV-1-specific broadly neutralizing antibodies by preventative vaccine candidates. This entry provides a summary of the multiple roles of TFH cells in...
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van Lunzen, J., Lindqvist, M. (2014). T Follicular Helper Cells in HIV Infection. In: Hope, T., Stevenson, M., Richman, D. (eds) Encyclopedia of AIDS. Springer, New York, NY. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4614-9610-6_181-1
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4614-9610-6_181-1
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