Abstract
T-follicular helper (T(FH)) cells are a subset of CD4(+) helper T cells that help germinal center (GC) B-cell differentiation and high-affinity antibody production during germinal center reactions. Whether important extracellular molecules control T(FH) differentiation is not fully understood. Here, we demonstrate that a secreted protein extracellular matrix protein 1 (ECM1) is critical for T(FH) differentiation and antibody response. A lack of ECM1 inhibited T(FH) cell development and impaired GC B-cell reactions and antigen-specific antibody production in an antigen-immunized mouse model. ECM1 was induced by IL-6 and IL-21 in T(FH) cells, promoting T(FH) differentiation by down-regulating the level of STAT5 phosphorylation and up-regulating Bcl6 expression. Furthermore, injection of recombinant ECM1 protein into mice infected with PR8 influenza virus promoted protective immune responses effectively, by enhancing T(FH) differentiation and neutralizing antibody production. Collectively, our data identify ECM1 as a soluble protein to promote T(FH) cell differentiation and antibody production.