TCRbeta sequences of murine follicular T helper cells in experimental epidermolysis bullosa acquisita

Follicular T helper cells are a specialized subset of CD4 effector T cells that are crucial for germinal center reactions and for selecting B cells to undergo affinity maturation. In this study, T cell receptor beta sequences were identified to determine the distribution of individual follicular T helper cells within one mouse under autoimmune conditions. One auto-Ag (mCOL7c-GST) was injected into the two footpads of the same mouse and the T cell receptor beta sequences of T cells located in germinal centers of both contralateral draining lymph nodes were determined.