CXC chemokine receptor 5 expression defines follicular homing T cells with B cell helper function

J Exp Med. 2000 Dec 4;192(11):1553-62. doi: 10.1084/jem.192.11.1553.

Abstract

Leukocyte traffic through secondary lymphoid tissues is finely tuned by chemokines. We have studied the functional properties of a human T cell subset marked by the expression of CXC chemokine receptor 5 (CXCR5). Memory but not naive T cells from tonsils are CXCR5(+) and migrate in response to the B cell-attracting chemokine 1 (BCA-1), which is selectively expressed by reticular cells and blood vessels within B cell follicles. Tonsillar CXCR5(+) T cells do not respond to other chemokines present in secondary lymphoid tissues, including secondary lymphoid tissue chemokine (SLC), EBV-induced molecule 1 ligand chemokine (ELC), and stromal cell-derived factor 1 (SDF-1). The involvement of tonsillar CXCR5(+) T cells in humoral immune responses is suggested by their localization in the mantle and light zone germinal centers of B cell follicles and by the concomitant expression of activation and costimulatory markers, including CD69, HLA-DR, and inducible costimulator (ICOS). Peripheral blood CXCR5(+) T cells also belong to the CD4(+) memory T cell subset but, in contrast to tonsillar cells, are in a resting state and migrate weakly to chemokines. CXCR5(+) T cells are very inefficient in the production of cytokines but potently induce antibody production during coculture with B cells. These properties portray CXCR5(+) T cells as a distinct memory T cell subset with B cell helper function, designated here as follicular B helper T cells (T(FH)).

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • B-Lymphocytes / immunology*
  • Chemokine CCL19
  • Chemokine CCL21
  • Chemokine CXCL12
  • Chemokine CXCL13
  • Chemokines, CC / physiology
  • Chemokines, CXC / physiology
  • Chemotaxis, Leukocyte
  • Cytokines / biosynthesis
  • Germinal Center / immunology
  • Humans
  • Immunoglobulin Isotypes / biosynthesis
  • Leukocyte Common Antigens / biosynthesis
  • Leukocytes, Mononuclear / cytology
  • Leukocytes, Mononuclear / metabolism
  • Lymphoid Tissue / cytology
  • Lymphoid Tissue / immunology*
  • Palatine Tonsil / cytology
  • Receptors, CCR7
  • Receptors, CXCR5
  • Receptors, Chemokine / biosynthesis*
  • Receptors, Chemokine / genetics
  • Receptors, Cytokine / biosynthesis*
  • Receptors, Cytokine / genetics
  • Receptors, Lymphocyte Homing / biosynthesis
  • Receptors, Lymphocyte Homing / genetics
  • T-Lymphocytes, Helper-Inducer / cytology
  • T-Lymphocytes, Helper-Inducer / immunology*
  • T-Lymphocytes, Helper-Inducer / metabolism

Substances

  • CCL19 protein, human
  • CCL21 protein, human
  • CCR7 protein, human
  • CXCL12 protein, human
  • CXCL13 protein, human
  • CXCR5 protein, human
  • Chemokine CCL19
  • Chemokine CCL21
  • Chemokine CXCL12
  • Chemokine CXCL13
  • Chemokines, CC
  • Chemokines, CXC
  • Cytokines
  • Immunoglobulin Isotypes
  • Receptors, CCR7
  • Receptors, CXCR5
  • Receptors, Chemokine
  • Receptors, Cytokine
  • Receptors, Lymphocyte Homing
  • Leukocyte Common Antigens