Abstract
Upon priming by antigens, B cells undergo activation, proliferation, and differentiation into antibody-secreting cells. During thymus-dependent (TD) antibody responses, the proliferation and differentiation of antigen-primed B cells essentially rely on the helper function from CD4+ T cells. Follicular helper T (Tfh) cells constitute a specialized Th subset that localizes in close proximity to B cells and supports B cell proliferation and differentiation through co-stimulatory receptors and cytokines. Impaired Tfh-mediated B cell proliferation and differentiation were observed in patients with immunodeficiency, while overactivation of this process may lead to dysregulated immune responses seen in autoimmune disorders. Here, we describe an ex vivo coculture assay using circulating Tfh cells and B cells isolated from human blood. This method can be used to examine the function of patients’ B cells for proliferation, differentiation, and antibody secretion, mediated by the physiological help from Tfh cells.
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Acknowledgment
This work was supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China (NSFC) (81429003), Start-up Funding from Renji Hospital, Shanghai Jiaotong University School of Medicine, Australian National Health and Medical Research Council Fellowship (GNT1085509) and the Australian National University Future Scheme to D.Y.
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Gao, X., Lin, L., Yu, D. (2018). Ex Vivo Culture Assay to Measure Human Follicular Helper T (Tfh) Cell-Mediated Human B Cell Proliferation and Differentiation. In: Liu, C. (eds) B Cell Receptor Signaling. Methods in Molecular Biology, vol 1707. Humana Press, New York, NY. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4939-7474-0_8
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4939-7474-0_8
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Publisher Name: Humana Press, New York, NY
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Online ISBN: 978-1-4939-7474-0
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