Credit: Jinyong Choi, La Jolla Institute for Immunology
Bcl6 prompts helper T cells to become T follicular helper cells (Tfh cells, shown in blue), which work with B cells (shown in green) to produce powerful antibodies. Activated B cells give rise germinal centers (shown in red), where mature B cells proliferate and produce highly specific antibodies against pathogens. Bcl6 blocks the expression of two proteins that normally stop Tfh cell differentiation. When Bcl6 does its job, helper T cells are free to become Tfh cells when the body needs them.