Langerhans Cells Orchestrate TFH-Dependent Humoral Immunity

J Invest Dermatol. 2017 Sep;137(9):1826-1828. doi: 10.1016/j.jid.2017.06.014.

Abstract

T follicular helper cells contribute to the development of long-lasting humoral immunity by germinal center formation. Somatic hypermutation and affinity maturation take place in germinal centers leading to the generation of memory B cells and plasma cells. As such, T follicular helper cells impact immunodeficiencies, autoimmunity, and cancer. This necessitates further understanding of how T follicular helper cells are regulated in health and disease. The current study by Levin et al. builds on prior work to further substantiate a critical role for skin migratory dendritic cells and in particular Langerhans cells at governing T follicular helper and germinal center formation after intradermal immunization with HIV p24-coated polylactic acid nanoparticles.

Publication types

  • Review
  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Cell Differentiation / immunology
  • Dendritic Cells / immunology*
  • Female
  • Germinal Center / immunology*
  • Humans
  • Immunity, Humoral / physiology*
  • Immunization / methods
  • Langerhans Cells / cytology
  • Langerhans Cells / immunology*
  • Lymphocyte Activation / immunology
  • Male
  • Sensitivity and Specificity
  • T-Lymphocytes, Helper-Inducer / immunology
  • T-Lymphocytes, Helper-Inducer / metabolism*