Regulation of Tfh differentiation by PDK1

Follicular helper T (Tfh) cells, as important effector CD4+ T cells, are able to regulate antigen-specific B cell immunity in vivo. It is well characterized that transcription factors, cytokines, microRNA, epigenetic modifications exerts important roles in Tfh differentiation and function. Howerer, the regulatory mechanism of the major signaling pathways driving Tfh cell differentiation remains unclear. Multiple mice models were used by a series of experimental approaches to illustrate PDK1 signaling programs Tfh differentiation and function. WT and Pdk1-null Tfh cells (2 samples per group) were sorted at day 8 after LCMV Armstrong infection. Then the total RNAs were extracted and subjected to RNA sequencing.