Follicular helper T cells enhance autoimmunity through Ascl-2 in a murine model for Sjögren’s syndrome

We investigated how Tfh cells contribute to the breakdown of peripheral immune tolerance and the formation of autoimmune lesions in a murine model of SS. Our results indicate a yet unreported mechanism of autoreactive response through Tfh cells in a SS model mouse, and it will be supportive for understanding the pathogenesis of autoimmunity. Two-condition experiment, purified CD4+ CD25- T cells from spleen of non-thymectomied NFS/sld (Control) vs. purified CD4+ CD25- T cells from spleen of thymectomied NFS/sld (SS model).