Figure 2.
Therapeutic TFH-related targets in SLE: present and future. TFH function and differentiation can be affected by several biological drugs already used in SLE therapies or currently in clinical trials. Belimumab, Atacicept, and NNC0114-0006 are mAbs targeting the soluble molecules BAFF, APRIL, and IL-21, respectively. Moreover, the blocking of T cell costimulatory molecules with AMG-557 (ICOSL), Abatacept (CD28), and IDEC-131 (CD40L) could modulate TFH differentiation by decreasing the strength of T-B interactions. Finally, promising therapies could consist in inhibiting TFH differentiation by blocking their signaling pathways either directly with the Jak-STAT inhibitor Tofacitinib or indirectly by the blockade of cytokine receptors such as IL-6R (Tocilizumab) or IL-21R (ATR-07).