Follicular
helper T cells are required for systemic autoimmunity.
Liu et al., "Expansion of circulating counterparts of follicular
helper T cells in patients with my asthenia gravis," Journal of Neuroimmunology, vol.
In the study, the researchers found that a certain transcription factor, which are molecules in the cell nucleus that control the activity of cells, continually suppresses the killer T cell lineage in
helper T cells. Using mice, the team showed that turning off this transcription factor (ThPOK) enabled the helper cells in the body's peripheral areas, like the blood, spleen and the intestine, to override their original programming and to become killer T cells.
If HIV blocks the production of new
helper T cells, then "to treat the disease, not only do we need potent antiretroviral drugs to stop the virus from spreading and destroying T cells, we may also need additional therapies to ensure that T cell production starts anew," says McCune.
Further experiments by Lechler's group suggested that leptin modifies the type of response the
helper T cells make.
Poorer marital quality was related to higher viral antibody levels, and lower ratios of
helper T cells to suppressor cells--another measure of immune suppression.
Using the antibodies, researchers slowed the functions of
helper T cells that normally aid in production of antibodies but may "overhelp' in the case of SLE.
Other metaphors popular among immunologists imbue immune system components with the ability to think, recognize and act - tolerance, surveillance, foreigness,
helper T cells, rejection.
The hormone target is thymosin alpha1, which promotes the activity of
helper T cells, the prime victims of the AIDS virus.