Competitive binding of transcription factors underlies flexibility of T peripheral helper cells and T follicular helper cells in SLE

Tph cells might be crucial makers to effectively reflect disease activity level in SLE patients. The finding that synergy of IFN-α and IL-2 increases Tph cells through competitive transcriptional regulation could be one of the mechanisms responsible for pathological formation of ELSs and helpful for selection of individualized therapeutic approaches for SLE.