Follicular B helper T cells (also known as just
Follicular helper T cells or
TFH), are
antigen-experienced
CD4+ T cells found in the periphery within
B cell follicles of secondary lymphoid organs such as
lymph nodes,
spleens and
Peyer's patches, and are identified by their constitutive expression of the
B cell follicle homing receptor
CXCR5. Upon cellular interaction and cross-signaling with their cognate
follicular (Fo B) B cells, T
FH cells trigger the formation and maintenance of
germinal centers through the expression of
CD40 ligand (CD40L) and the secretion of
IL-21 and
IL-4. T
FH cells also migrate into these seeded
germinal centers, predominantly composed of rapidly dividing and
mutating B cells. Within germinal centers, T
FH cells play a critical role in mediating the selection and survival of B cells that go on to differentiate either into special
plasma cells capable of producing high affinity antibodies against foreign antigen, and
memory B cells capable of quick immune re-activation in the future if ever the same antigen is re-encountered. T
FH cells are also thought to facilitate negative selection of potentially
autoimmune-causing mutated B cells in the
germinal center. However, the biomechanisms by which T
FH cells mediate germinal center
tolerance are yet to be fully understood.