CD4⁺ follicular helper T (Tfh) cells play a vital role in providing help for B cells undergoing selection and differentiation into activated antibody-secreting cells in mammalian germinal centers (GCs). Increasing evidence suggests that Tfh cells are a heterogeneous population that generates cytokine-skewed immune responses – a reflection of the microenvironment during differentiation. This has important ramifications for Tfh-mediated B cell help. Because Tfh subsets can have opposing effects on GC B cell responses, we discuss current findings regarding the differentiation and functions of cytokine-skewed Tfh cells in modulating GC B cell differentiation. Antibodies are important weapons against infectious diseases but can also be pathogenic mediators in some autoimmune conditions. Since cytokine-skewed Tfh cells can influence the magnitude and quality of the humoral response, we address the roles of cytokine-skewed Tfh cells in disease.

CD4 ⁺滤泡辅助 T (Tfh) 细胞在为哺乳动物生发中心 (GC) 中经历选择和分化为活化抗体分泌细胞的 B 细胞提供帮助方面发挥着至关重要的作用。越来越多的证据表明，Tfh 细胞是一个异质群体，会产生细胞因子偏斜的免疫反应——这是分化过程中微环境的反映。这对 Tfh 介导的 B 细胞帮助具有重要影响。因为 Tfh 亚群对 GC B 细胞反应有相反的影响，我们讨论了关于细胞因子偏态的 Tfh 细胞在调节 GC B 细胞分化中的分化和功能的当前发现。抗体是对抗传染病的重要武器，但在某些自身免疫性疾病中也可能是致病介质。