T-helper cells play a critical part in activating the immune system by producing factors that activate virtually all other immune system cells. Naïve T cells can differentiate into distinct T-helper subsets including IFNβ-producing Th (Th1) cells, IL-4/IL-5/IL-13-secreting Th (Th2) cells, IL-17A/IL-17F/IL-22-secreting Th (Th17) cells, regulatory T cells (Treg) and germinal center (GC) facilitating T follicular helper (Tfh) cells. Tfh cells are found in germinal centers (GCs), specialized structures that arise in secondary lymphoid organs following infection and play an important role in the humoral adaptive immune response. Within GCs, Tfh cells interact with B cells and aid in the development of high affinity antibodies and immunological memory2. Since Tfh cells also play a role in a wide range of human disorders, including cancer and autoimmunity3, there is a pressing need to isolate pure Tfh cells in modern cell therapy research programs and basic life science R&D.
