滤泡辅助性T细胞和滤泡调节性T细胞与自身免疫病

TFH and TFR in rheumatic diseases

自身抗体作为自身免疫性风湿病的标志已被用于临床诊断数十年,而自身抗体产生的免疫学机制直到滤泡辅助性T细胞(T follicular helper,TFHcells)和滤泡调节性T细胞(T follicular regulatory,TFRcells)的发现才逐渐被阐明。在生发中心反应及体液免疫记忆形成过程中,TFH细胞辅助抗体的亲和力成熟,而TFR细胞则抑制TFH介导的抗体反应。自身免疫性风湿性疾病患者的TFH细胞数量增加且功能活跃,TFR细胞的数量降低且功能低下,TFH细胞和TFR细胞之间的平衡发生异常。因此,深入研究TFH和TFR细胞发育及功能的分子机制,可为疾病治疗寻找新的靶标。随着对TFH和TFR细胞的深入了解,基于恢复TFH和TFR细胞间的平衡的策略,将为风湿性疾病的预防及治疗提供新的策略。

It is long well known that autoimmune antibodies are one of key characters of autoimmune diseases and have been used for diagnosis of related autoimmune diseases.In recent decades,the mechanisms of autoimmune antibodies production have been revealed after the identification of T follicular helper(TFH)cells and T follicular regulatory(TFR)cells.TFHcells are thought to promote antibody affinity maturation in germinal centre and humoral memory formation,whereas TFRcells suppress TFHcell-mediated antibody responses.Patients with autoimmune diseases show increased TFHactivity and deceased TFRactivity,thus breaking the normal balance between both cell types.Therefore,by identifying the molecular mechanisms underlying the development and function of these cell populations,new opportunities have emerged to develop novel therapeutic targets.An increased knowledge of TFHcells and TFRcells has inspired,and hopefully will inspire more,approaches to reinstate the balance of these cells in the prevention and treatment of rheumatic diseases.