T follicular helper cell in atopic march: innate control and pathogenic role – Tfh-Atopy

Atopic diseases, including atopic dermatitis (AD) and asthma are closely related allergic diseases, sharing common features of “atopy”, with IgE production and type 2 allergic inflammation. Affected individuals often experience the progression from AD to asthma, known as the “atopic march”. Allergen sensitization, which develops through barrier-defective skin in AD individuals and generates T and B cell memory, is a critical step in the onset of the “atopic march”, but its mechanisms remain poorly understood. Our project aims to combine studies from mouse to human, to elucidate the pathogenic role of a new CD4 helper cell subset, T follicular helper (Tfh) cells, in skin allergen sensitization and in the atopic march, and to further explore cellular and molecular mechanisms in Tfh cell differentiation and regulations. Results are expected to reveal Tfh cell as a critical piece of the “atopic march” puzzle, and to identify potential targets of Tfh signaling for developing preventative/therapeutic strategies for atopic diseases.