Regulation of T follicular helper cell development and effector function in health and disease

免疫细胞成熟成具有特殊功能的不同群体。其中一个亚群是T滤泡辅助细胞（TFH），它在感染或接种疫苗后指导B细胞产生抗体很重要。TFH细胞产生的途径尚不清楚。我们将确定TFH细胞产生的机制及其功能。我们希望设计出在免疫缺陷、自身免疫或接种疫苗的情况下调节TFH细胞功能的方法。

Immune cells mature into distinct populations with specialized functions. One subsets are T follicular helper (TFH) cells which are important for instructing B cells to produce antibodies following infection or vaccination. The means by which TFH cells are generated are unknown. We will determine mechanisms whereby TFH cells are produced and how they function. We hope to design approaches that will modulate the function of TFH cells in cases of immunodeficiencies, autoimmunity or vaccination.