BCL6 deletion in CD4 T cells reveals Th2 eff mediated immunity in the skin

RNA-Seq datasets related to the study of Mouse Tfh cells.

Recent studies propose that Group 2 T follicular helper (Tfh) cells have a higher degree of functional plasticity in addition to their well-defined roles in mediating IL-4-dependent switching of germinal centre B cells to the production of IgG1 and IgE antibodies. In particular Tfh cells have been proposed to be an essential stage in Th2 effector cell development that are able to contribute to innate Type 2 responses. We used CD4-cre targeted deletion of BCL6 to identify the contribution Tfh cells make to tissue Th2 effector responses in models of skin atopic disease   and lung immunity to parasites. Ablation of Tfh cells did not impair the development or recruitment of Th2 effector subsets to the skin and did not alter the transcriptional expression profile or functional activities of the resulting tissue resident Th2 effector cells. However, the accumulation of Th2 effector cells in lung Th2 responses was partially affected by BCL6 deficiency. These data indicate that the development of Th2 effector cells does not require a BCL6 dependent step implying Tfh and Th2 effector populations follow separate developmental trajectories and Tfh cells do not contribute to Type 2 responses in the skin . This study reveals important findings that add to the growing literature around the plasticity and functional interconversion of T helper subsets.