Follicular helper T cells in systemic lupus erythematosus: a review

VernacularTitle:滤泡辅助性T细胞及其功能分子在系统性红斑狼疮中的研究进展
Author: Zichen HUANG ¹ ; Cheng ZHAO ; Jian WANG ; Leting ZHENG
Author Information

1. 广西医科大学第一附属医院风湿免疫科
Keywords: Systemic lupus erythematosus; Follicular helper T cell; Pathogenesis; Therapy
From: Chinese Journal of Microbiology and Immunology 2018;38(1):73-78
CountryChina
Language:Chinese
Abstract: Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is a severe systemic autoimmune disease, which is characterized by excessive production of autoantibodies caused by B cell hyperactivity. Thus,reducing au-toantibody production can control the development of SLE,and understanding the molecular and cellular fac-tors involved in the differentiation of B cells will provide new therapeutic targets. Follicular helper T cells (Tfh) are defined as a new subset of CD4+T cells specialized in providing help to B cells,which is suspec-ted to play a critical role in the pathogenesis of SLE. In the present review,we give an overview of key mole-cules involved in the differentiation,regulation and functions of Tfh,discuss the roles of Tfh in SLE and de-scribe some potential therapeutic targets for SLE.