Role of ICOS
The Inducible T-cell co-stimulator (CD278 or ICOS) has proven to provide a particularly critical signal for TFH cells since mice deficient in ICOS are unable to develop any TFH, although the exact mechanisms involved are still unknown. However, it was shown that ICOS induces the secretion of IL-21 by activated CD4+ T cells and that IL-21 plays a crucial role in the development of TFH. Also Bcl-6 is a transcription factor identified in TFH cells, but it may have roles that extend beyond this subset, because it has been implicated in memory CD8+ T cell development.
Read more about this topic: Follicular B Helper T Cells
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