Memory B cells contribute to rapid Bcl6 expression by memory follicular helper T cells

W Ise, T Inoue, JB McLachlan… - Proceedings of the …, 2014 - National Acad Sciences
W Ise, T Inoue, JB McLachlan, K Kometani, M Kubo, T Okada, T Kurosaki
Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, 2014National Acad Sciences
In primary humoral responses, B-cell lymphoma 6 (Bcl6) is a master regulator of follicular
helper T (TFH) cell differentiation; however, its activation mechanisms and role in memory
responses remain unclear. Here we demonstrate that survival of CXCR5+ TFH memory
cells, and thus subsequent recall antibody response, require Bcl6 expression. Furthermore,
we show that, upon rechallenge with soluble antigen Bcl6 in memory TFH cells is rapidly
induced in a dendritic cell-independent manner and that peptide: class II complexes (pMHC) …
In primary humoral responses, B-cell lymphoma 6 (Bcl6) is a master regulator of follicular helper T (TFH) cell differentiation; however, its activation mechanisms and role in memory responses remain unclear. Here we demonstrate that survival of CXCR5+ TFH memory cells, and thus subsequent recall antibody response, require Bcl6 expression. Furthermore, we show that, upon rechallenge with soluble antigen Bcl6 in memory TFH cells is rapidly induced in a dendritic cell-independent manner and that peptide:class II complexes (pMHC) on cognate memory B cells significantly contribute to this induction. Given the previous evidence that antigen-specific B cells residing in the follicles acquire antigens within minutes of injection, our results suggest that memory B cells present antigens to the cognate TFH memory cells, thereby contributing to rapid Bcl6 reexpression and differentiation of the TFH memory cells during humoral memory responses.
National Acad Sciences