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Science 13 March 2009:
Vol. 323. no. 5920, pp. 1488 - 1492
DOI: 10.1126/science.1169152
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Reports

Preferential Generation of Follicular B Helper T Cells from Foxp3+ T Cells in Gut Peyer's Patches

Masayuki Tsuji,1* Noriko Komatsu,2* Shimpei Kawamoto,1,4* Keiichiro Suzuki,1 Osami Kanagawa,3 Tasuku Honjo,4 Shohei Hori,2{dagger} Sidonia Fagarasan1{dagger}

Most of the immunoglobulin A (IgA) in the gut is generated by B cells in the germinal centers of Peyer's patches through a process that requires the presence of CD4+ follicular B helper T(TFH) cells. The nature of these TFH cells in Peyer's patches has been elusive. Here, we demonstrate that suppressive Foxp3+CD4+ T cells can differentiate into TFH cells in mouse Peyer's patches. The conversion of Foxp3+ T cells into TFH cells requires the loss of Foxp3 expression and subsequent interaction with B cells. Thus, environmental cues present in gut Peyer's patches promote the selective differentiation of distinct helper T cell subsets, such as TFH cells.

1 Laboratory for Mucosal Immunity, RIKEN, Yokohama 1-7-22, Tsurumi, Yokohama, 230-0045, Japan.
2 Research Unit for Immune Homeostasis, RIKEN, Yokohama 1-7-22, Tsurumi, Yokohama, 230-0045, Japan.
3 Laboratory for Autoimmune Regulation, Research Center for Allergy and Immunology, RIKEN, Yokohama 1-7-22, Tsurumi, Yokohama, 230-0045, Japan.
4 Department of Immunology and Genomic Medicine, Kyoto University, Graduate School of Medicine, Sakyo-ku, Kyoto 606-8501, Japan.

* These authors contributed equally to this work.

{dagger} To whom correspondence should be addressed. E-mail: shohei{at}rcai.riken.jp (S.H.); sidonia-f{at}rcai.riken.jp (S.F.)

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Science. ISSN 0036-8075 (print), 1095-9203 (online)