T follicular helper cells-associated molecules and bronchial asthma

T follicular helper cells (Tfh), a recently discovered subset of CD4+ T cells, are able to migrate to B-cell follicles in the center of the secondary lymph, and promote germinal center response, including regulating the formation, development and maturation of germinal center, as well as assist B cells to produce immunoglobulins and influence there switching.Tfh can continuously produce chemokine receptor 5, which in combination with CXCL13, promptete peripheral Tfh cells to raise to the germinal center of the B lymphoid follicles and participate in the formation of germinal centers.Inducible T cell co-stimulator and CO40L can bind to the B cell surface ligand to regulate secretion of IL-21 on Tfh, which involved in B cell immune response, involved in humoral immunity.The pathogenesis of bronchial asthma(asthma) is very complicated, and T lymphocytes play a central role in the airway inflammation of asthma.This article reviews the role of Tfh cells-associated molecules in airway inflammation in asthma. Key words: T follicular helper cells; Interleukin-21; Inducible T cell costimulator; Bronchial asthma