Tfh and Tfr Cell Frequency in T1D and Control Subjects

What is it about?

The study investigated the frequency of Tfh and Tfr cells in individuals with and without clinical T1D and their first- and second-degree relatives. The frequency of Tfh cells was lower in individuals with T1D compared to age-matched AAb+ subjects. No differences were observed in the frequency of Tfr cells among the groups. Elevated CXCL13 plasma levels, a marker of GC activity, correlated with the relative frequency of circulating Tfh cells. The study also found alterations in blood Tfh cells of presymptomatic AAb+ individuals, showing that peripheral blood of adults with islet-specific AAb had a higher frequency of Tfh cells, even compared with T1D patients.

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Why is it important?

The research is important because it helps to understand the role of Tfh and Tfr cells in islet-specific autoantibody (AAb) presence in individuals with presymptomatic and diagnosed T1D. This knowledge can potentially contribute to the development of early diagnostic tools and treatments for T1D. Key Takeaways: 1. Tfh and Tfr cells play a crucial role in controlling Ig production from B cells, and alterations in their function and regulation are likely to contribute to the presence of islet-specific AAb in humans with presymptomatic and diagnosed T1D. 2. The frequency of circulating Tfh cells was lower in individuals with T1D compared to age-matched AAb+ subjects, while the frequency of Tfr cells was similar in all groups. 3. The study found no differences in Tfh/Tfr ratios among the groups, suggesting that alterations in Tfh-to-Tfr cell ratios may not be a primary contributor to the increased prevalence of AAb in autoimmune BXD2 mice. 4. Plasma CXCL13 levels, a marker of GC activity, were lower in individuals with T1D compared to AAb+ and at-risk AAb− subjects, consistent with the lower circulating frequency of Tfh cells in T1D patients.