The Role of T Follicular Helper Cells and T Follicular Regulatory Cells in the Pathogenesis of Autoimmune Hemolytic Anemia

Sci Rep. 2019 Dec 24;9(1):19767. doi: 10.1038/s41598-019-56365-3.

Abstract

Autoimmune hemolytic anemia (AIHA) is an acquired autoimmune disease mediated by antibodies against the patient's red blood cells. However, the underlying mechanisms for antibody production are not fully understood. Previous studies of etiology and pathogenesis of AIHA mainly focus on autoreactive B cells that have escaped tolerance mechanisms. Few studies have reported the function of TFH and TFR cells in the process of AIHA. The present study aimed to explore the potential mechanism of TFH and TFR cells in the pathogenesis of AIHA. With the model of murine AIHA, increased ratios of TFH:TFR, elevated serum IL-21 and IL-6 levels, and upregulated Bcl-6 and c-Maf expression were reported. Also, adoptive transfer of purified CD4+CXCR5+CD25- T cells from immunized mice promoted the induction of autoantibody in the AIHA mouse model. Altogether, our data demonstrate the important role of TFH cells for control and induction of AIHA. In the light of the key contributions of TFH cells to the immune response in AIHA, strategies aimed at inhibiting the TFH development or function should be emphasized.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Anemia, Hemolytic, Autoimmune / immunology*
  • Anemia, Hemolytic, Autoimmune / pathology
  • Animals
  • Autoantibodies / immunology
  • B-Lymphocytes / immunology*
  • Disease Models, Animal
  • Germinal Center / immunology*
  • Germinal Center / pathology
  • Interleukin-6 / immunology
  • Interleukins / immunology
  • Mice
  • Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-bcl-6 / immunology
  • Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-maf / immunology
  • T-Lymphocytes, Regulatory / immunology*
  • T-Lymphocytes, Regulatory / pathology

Substances

  • Autoantibodies
  • Bcl6 protein, mouse
  • Interleukin-6
  • Interleukins
  • Maf protein, mouse
  • Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-bcl-6
  • Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-maf
  • interleukin-6, mouse
  • interleukin-21