Abstract
Most of the immunoglobulin A (IgA) in the gut is generated by B cells in the germinal centers of Peyer's patches through a process that requires the presence of CD4+ follicular B helper T(TFH) cells. The nature of these T(FH) cells in Peyer's patches has been elusive. Here, we demonstrate that suppressive Foxp3+CD4+ T cells can differentiate into TFH cells in mouse Peyer's patches. The conversion of Foxp3+ T cells into TFH cells requires the loss of Foxp3 expression and subsequent interaction with B cells. Thus, environmental cues present in gut Peyer's patches promote the selective differentiation of distinct helper T cell subsets, such as TFH cells.
Publication types
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Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
MeSH terms
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Adoptive Transfer
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Animals
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B-Lymphocytes / immunology
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CD4-Positive T-Lymphocytes / cytology
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CD4-Positive T-Lymphocytes / immunology*
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CD4-Positive T-Lymphocytes / metabolism
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CD40 Antigens / metabolism
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Cell Differentiation
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Dendritic Cells / cytology
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Dendritic Cells / immunology
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Down-Regulation
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Forkhead Transcription Factors / genetics
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Forkhead Transcription Factors / metabolism*
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Gene Expression Profiling
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Germinal Center / immunology
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Immunoglobulin A, Secretory / biosynthesis
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Intestine, Small / cytology
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Intestine, Small / immunology
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Lymph Nodes / cytology
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Lymph Nodes / immunology
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Lymphocyte Activation
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Mice
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Mice, Transgenic
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Peyer's Patches / cytology
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Peyer's Patches / immunology*
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Spleen / cytology
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Spleen / immunology
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T-Lymphocyte Subsets / cytology
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T-Lymphocyte Subsets / immunology*
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T-Lymphocyte Subsets / metabolism
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T-Lymphocytes, Helper-Inducer / cytology
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T-Lymphocytes, Helper-Inducer / immunology*
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T-Lymphocytes, Helper-Inducer / metabolism
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T-Lymphocytes, Regulatory / cytology
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T-Lymphocytes, Regulatory / immunology*
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T-Lymphocytes, Regulatory / metabolism
Substances
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CD40 Antigens
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Forkhead Transcription Factors
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Foxp3 protein, mouse
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Immunoglobulin A, Secretory