At inflammatory sites, ectopic lymphoid-like structures (ELS) can be induced through the function of chemokine CXCL13 produced by CD4+ T cells. Here the authors show that a transcription factor, Sox4, induces the expression of CXCL13 in CD4 T cells in vitro, and is associated with ELS formation in patients with rheumatoid arthritis.
- Hiroyuki Yoshitomi
- Shio Kobayashi
- Junya Toguchida