How IL-6 allows the immune response to develop for a key cell, the T follicular helper

The body's immune response fights against infectious disease, and it safeguards against future infections through vaccination. However, if the immune response dysfunctions and attacks the body itself, it can cause autoimmune disease. Thus, a healthy immune response balances an instant readiness to combat infecting viruses or bacteria, while maintaining benign surveillance of the body's own tissues.