Follicular helper T cells in systemic lupus erythematosus: a review / 中华微生物学和免疫学杂志

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.