CXCL13 and colorectal carcinoma: The above results indicated that in the invasive margin of early CRC, activated CD8 + Tex cells facilitated the spatial accumulation of a substantial number of CD4 + Tfh cells and BGC cells by secreting chemokine CXCL13, which enhanced the CD40–CD40L interaction and ultimately promoted the formation and maturation of germinal centers within TLS.