CXCR5+PD-1++ CD4+ T cells colonize infant intestines early in life and promote B cell maturation
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Abstract
Gastrointestinal infections are a major cause for serious clinical complications in infants. The induction of antibody responses by B cells is critical for protective immunity against infections and requires CXCR5+PD-1++ CD4+ T cells (TFH cells). We investigated the ontogeny of CXCR5+PD-1++ CD4+ T cells in human intestines. While CXCR5+PD-1++ CD4+ T cells were absent in fetal intestines, CXCR5+PD-1++ CD4+ T cells increased after birth and were abundant in infant intestines, resulting in significant higher numbers compared to adults. These findings were supported by scRNAseq analyses, showing increased frequencies of CD4+ T cells with a TFH gene signature in infant intestines compared to blood. Co-cultures of autologous infant intestinal CXCR5+PD-1+/-CD4+ T cells with B cells further demonstrated that infant intestinal TFH cells were able to effectively promote class switching and antibody production by B cells. Taken together, we demonstrate that functional TFH cells are numerous in infant intestines, making them a promising target for oral pediatric vaccine strategies.
Bibliographical data
Original language | English |
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ISSN | 1672-7681 |
DOIs | |
Publication status | Published - 02.2023 |
Comment Deanary
© 2022. The Author(s), under exclusive licence to CSI and USTC.
PubMed | 36600048 |
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