Germinal Center B Cell and T Follicular Helper Cell Development Initiates in the Interfollicular Zone

SummaryWe identify the interfollicular (IF) zone as the site where germinal center B cell and T follicular helper (Tfh) cell differentiation initiates. For the first 2 days postimmunization, antigen-specific T and B cells remained confined within the IF zone, formed long-lived interactions, and upregulated the transcriptional repressor Bcl6. T cells also acquired the Tfh cell markers CXCR5, PD-1, and GL7. Responding B and T cells migrated to the follicle interior directly from the IF zone, T cell immigration preceding B cells by 1 day. Notably, in the absence of cognate B cells, Tfh cells still formed and migrated to the follicle. However, without such B cells, PD-1, ICOS, and GL7 were no longer expressed on follicular Bcl6hi T cells that nevertheless persisted in the follicle. Thus, Ag-specific B cells are required for the maintenance of the PD-1hiICOShiGL7hi Tfh cell phenotype within the follicle, but not for their initial differentiation in the IF zone.

► After immunization, responding T and B cells home to and interact in the IF zone
► GC B cell and Tfh cell commitment in the IF zone precedes entry into the follicle
► The Tfh cell phenotype is induced globally, but maintained on only a subset of T cells
► Tfh cells differentiate, but are not maintained, in the absence of cognate B cells