Publication

Type I interferon induces CXCL13 to support ectopic germinal center formation

Journal Paper/Review - Feb 5, 2019

Units
PubMed
Doi

Citation
Denton A, Good-Jacobson K, Groom J, Ludewig B, Mörbe U, Mabbott N, Lafouresse F, Bradford B, Carr E, Innocentin S, Linterman M. Type I interferon induces CXCL13 to support ectopic germinal center formation. J Exp Med 2019
Type
Journal Paper/Review (English)
Journal
J Exp Med 2019
Publication Date
Feb 5, 2019
Issn Electronic
1540-9538
Brief description/objective

Ectopic lymphoid structures form in a wide range of inflammatory conditions, including infection, autoimmune disease, and cancer. In the context of infection, this response can be beneficial for the host: influenza A virus infection-induced pulmonary ectopic germinal centers give rise to more broadly cross-reactive antibody responses, thereby generating cross-strain protection. However, despite the ubiquity of ectopic lymphoid structures and their role in both health and disease, little is known about the mechanisms by which inflammation is able to convert a peripheral tissue into one that resembles a secondary lymphoid organ. Here, we show that type I IFN produced after viral infection can induce CXCL13 expression in a phenotypically distinct population of lung fibroblasts, driving CXCR5-dependent recruitment of B cells and initiating ectopic germinal center formation. This identifies type I IFN as a novel inducer of CXCL13, which, in combination with other stimuli, can promote lung remodeling, converting a nonlymphoid tissue into one permissive to functional tertiary lymphoid structure formation.