Abstract
The transcription factor Bcl6 is essential for the development of germinal center (GC) B cells and follicular helper T (Tfh) cells. However, little is known about invivo dynamics of Bcl6 protein expression during and after development of these cells. By using a Bcl6 reporter mouse strain, we found that antigen-engaged B cells upregulated Bcl6 before clustering in GCs. Two-photon microscopic analysis indicated that Bcl6 upregulation in pre-GC B cells contributed to sustaining their interactions with helper Tcells and was required for their entry to GC clusters. Our data also suggested that Tfh cells gradually downmodulated Bcl6 protein over weeks after development. The Bcl6-low Tfh cells rapidly terminated proliferation and upregulated IL-7 receptor. These results clarify the role of Bcl6 in pre-GC B cell dynamics and highlight the modulation of Bcl6 expression in Tfh cells that persist in the late phase of the antibody response.
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