γδTFH cells promote B cell maturation and antibody production in neuroblastoma

BACKGROUND: Previous studies have shown that γδ TFH cells are capable of modulating antibody production in immunized and infected mouse model. In recent studies, human γδ TFH cells are shown to contribute to the activation of humoral immunity and promote the maturation of B cells. However, little information is available on their involvement in neuroblastoma (NB) pathogenesis. RESULTS: In the present study, the frequency of γδ TFH cells in 74 NB patients was significantly higher compared with that in 60 healthy controls. Moreover, most γδ TFH cells in NB patients had a naive phenotype with up-regulation of CD25, CD69, HLA-DR and CD40L and down-regulation of ICOS. Importantly, γδ TFH cells in NB patients produced more IL-4 and IL-10 than those in healthy controls. Furthermore, serum total IgG level was significantly increased in NB patients compared with healthy controls. The expression of CD23 on B cells was up-regulated while CD80 expression was significantly down-regulated in NB patients. Further analysis of B cell compartment showed that the frequency of CD19(+)CD27(hi) plasma cells was enhanced in NB patients. Spearman’s correlation analysis revealed that the frequency of γδ TFH cells was positively correlated to serum total IgG level and CD19(+)CD27(hi) plasma cells in NB patients, but negatively correlated to CD19(+) B cells. CONCLUSIONS: We concluded that γδ TFH cells might promote B cell maturation and antibody production in NB patients.