Sara Iranparast; Farhad Seif; Sanaz Tayebi; Farhad Abolnezhadian; Moosa Sharifat; Alireza Fazaeli; Neda Roshanravan; Azam Samei; Sholeh Khajoei
Abstract
Follicular helper T (TFH) cells are a subset of effector CD4+ T cells that support the differentiation of antigen-specific B cells in the germinal center. TFH cells are distinct from other established CD4+ T cell subsets and possess a list of transcription factors, including BCL6, IRF4, c-Maf, Batf, ...
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Follicular helper T (TFH) cells are a subset of effector CD4+ T cells that support the differentiation of antigen-specific B cells in the germinal center. TFH cells are distinct from other established CD4+ T cell subsets and possess a list of transcription factors, including BCL6, IRF4, c-Maf, Batf, NFAT1-2, and STAT3. The mentioned factors direct several activities such as cell differentiation, migration to the follicles, cell-to-cell interaction, as well as cell programming. Given that TFH cells are essential for the germinal center formation, affinity maturation and the development of most high-affinity antibodies. TFH cells may play crucial roles in different pathologic conditions, particularly autoimmune diseases. However, the mechanisms that cause functional differences of TFH cell responses are not exactly defined. In this review first the immunological profile of TFH cells will be discussed then attempts will be made to give a broad picture on the role of this key subset of T cells in autoimmune diseases.
Behrouz Gharesi-Fard; Fatemeh Mobasher-Nejad; Fatemeh Nasri
Volume 13, Issue 4 , December 2016, , Pages 296-308
Abstract
Background: Pre-eclampsia (PE) is known as a main factor contributing to
fetomaternal mortality, which might affect 2-8% of all pregnancies after the twentieth
week of gestation. The balance of T helper subsets is essential to sustain a normal
pregnancy and preventing fetomaternal complications. Objective: ...
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Background: Pre-eclampsia (PE) is known as a main factor contributing to
fetomaternal mortality, which might affect 2-8% of all pregnancies after the twentieth
week of gestation. The balance of T helper subsets is essential to sustain a normal
pregnancy and preventing fetomaternal complications. Objective: To investigate
differences in the levels of transcription factors and cytokine gene expression of
Th1/Th2/Th17/Treg subsets within decidual and chorionic layers of placentas from 15
PE-afflicted and 15 healthy Iranian women in their third trimester of pregnancy.
Methods: Using Quantitative real-time PCR (Q-PCR), The expression of T-BET,
GATA-3, ROR-ɣt, FOXP3, and cytokines, including IL-1, IL-6, TNF-α, IFN-γ, IL-4,
IL-31, IL-17, IL-23, TGF-β1, TGF-β2, TGF-β3, and IL-35 in the placenta were
compared at mRNA levels between groups. Results: FOXP3 and GATA-3 were
significantly down-regulated, while T-BET was up-regulated in PE deciduae compared
to the control group (p<0.0001, p<0.02, and p<0.01, respectively). Concerning the
chorionic samples, FOXP3 significantly decreased, while ROR-γt increased in the PE
placentas compared to the healthy ones (p<0.0006 and p<0.02, respectively). Besides,
most inflammatory cytokines were up-regulated, while anti-inflammatory cytokines
were down-regulated in the PE placentas. Additionally, TNF-α/IL-35, IFN-ɣ/IL-35, IL-
6/IL-35, and IL-23/IL-35 ratios were significantly higher (p<0.01) and IL-35/IL-17 ratio
was significantly lower (p<0.05) in the pre-eclamptic patients compared to the healthy
controls. Conclusion: Our results shed more light on the contribution of
Th1/Th2/Th17/Treg balance within placenta in the fate of a normal pregnancy.
Moreover, regulatory T cells and IL-35 seem to play a central role in the regulation of
all subsets.