T-Follicular Helper Cells and Their Role in Autoimmune Diseases

T-follicular helper (Tfh) cells, a specialized subset of CD4+ cells, are the immune mediators connecting cellular and humoral immunity, as they lead B cell proliferation within germinal centers, and orchestrate their response, including activation, class switching, and production of a diverse array of high affinity antibodies. Their interactions with B cells is regulated by a wide complex of transcriptional and cytokine-driven pathways. A major contribution of Tfh cells to autoimmune diseases is through their production of cytokines, particularly IL-21, which supports the proliferation and differentiation of autoreactive B cells. Elevated levels of circulating Tfh-like cells and IL-21 have been observed in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), rheumatoid arthritis (RA) correlating strongly with disease severity and autoantibody levels. The feedback loop between Tfh cells and IL-21 or other signal pathways, such as Bcl-6, ICOS and PD-1, not only sustains Tfh cell function but also drives the continuous expansion of autoreactive B cells, leading to chronic inflammation through production of high affinity pathogenic autoantibodies. By understanding these interactions, Tfh pathways may serve as potential therapeutic targets, with IL-21, ICOS, PD1 blockade emerging as promising innovative therapeutic strategies to manage autoimmune diseases. Although a variety of studies have been conducted investigating the role of Tfh cells in SLE and RA, this review is an aim to reveal the gap in the literature regarding the role of such subpopulations in the pathogenesis of other autoimmune diseases such as Anca-Associated vasculitis (AAV) and also express the need for conducting similar studies. Tfh cell-related biomarkers can be used to assess disease activity and transform autoimmune disease treatment, leading to more personalized and effective care for patients with chronic autoimmune conditions.