Interconnected subsets of memory follicular helper T cells have different effector functions

AbstractFollicular helper T cells regulate high-affinity antibody production. Memory follicular helper T cells can be local in draining lymphoid organs and circulate in the blood, but the underlying mechanisms of this subdivision are unresolved. Here we show that both memory follicular helper T subsets sustain B-cell responses after reactivation. Local cells promote more plasma cell differentiation, whereas circulating cells promote more secondary germinal centers. In parallel, local memory B cells are homogeneous and programmed to become plasma cells, whereas circulating memory B cells are able to rediversify. Local memory follicular helper T cells have higher affinity T-cell receptors, which correlates with expression of peptide MHC-II at the surface of local memory B cells only. Blocking T-cell receptor–peptide MHC-II interactions induces the release of local memory follicular helper T cells in the circulating compartment. Our studies show that memory follicular helper T localization is highly intertwined with memory B cells, a finding that has important implications for vaccine design.