The Function of T Follicular Helper Cells in the Autoimmune Liver Diseases

Figure 1

AILDs: autoimmune liver diseases; PD-1: programmed cell death protein-1; CXCR5: CXC chemokine receptor 5; ICOS: inducible T cell costimulator; IL-21: cytokine interleukin- (IL-) 21; BCL-6: B cell lymphoma 6; OX40: tumor necrosis factor receptor. TFH plays a key role in assisting B cells. Autoimmune diseases are characterized by excessive activation of B cells, leading to the production of autoantibodies and attacking their normal tissues. This suggests that TFH cells may have an important influence on the pathogenesis of autoimmune diseases.