The research for the novel role of follicular helper T cells in the regulation of IgE production and the suppressive pathway

2014 Fiscal Year Final Research Report

• Project/Area Number: 24791793
• Research Category: Grant-in-Aid for Young Scientists (B)
• Allocation Type: Multi-year Fund
• Research Field: Otorhinolaryngology
• Research Institution: Sapporo Medical University
• Principal Investigator: SEKI Nobuhiko 札幌医科大学, 医学部, 助教 (30404693)
• Project Period (FY): 2012-04-01 – 2015-03-31
• Keywords: 濾胞ヘルパー T 細胞 / 免疫アレルギー疾患 / IgE

Outline of Final Research Achievements

Follicular helper T (Tfh) cells, a distinctive subset of effector CD4+ T cells, have important roles in generation of germinal center (GC) and antigen-specific humoral immune responses. In this study, we found that Tfh cells specifically expressed the transcriptional co-activator BOB1, which is required for GC formation and immunoglobulin production. We also showed that percentage of Tfh2 cells in total Tfh cells was significantly higher in peripheral blood from patients with allergic rhinitis. Further investigation focusing on BOB1 and polarization of Tfh cell subsets would lead to a better understanding of the pathogenesis of allergy rhinitis.

Free Research Field

耳鼻咽喉科学，アレルギー学，免疫学