Maturation of lymph node fibroblastic reticular cells from myofibroblastic precursors is critical for antiviral immunity

Publication

Maturation of lymph node fibroblastic reticular cells from myofibroblastic precursors is critical for antiviral immunity

Journal Paper/Review - Apr 25, 2013

Chai Qian, Hehlgans Thomas, Stein Jens V, Rülicke Thomas, Thiel Volker, Luther Sanjiv A, Sparwasser Tim, Danuser Renzo, Cupovic Jovana, Perez Shibayama Christian, Gil Cruz Cristina, Scandella Elke, Onder Lucas, Ludewig Burkhard

Citation

Chai Q, Hehlgans T, Stein J, Rülicke T, Thiel V, Luther S, Sparwasser T, Danuser R, Cupovic J, Perez Shibayama C, Gil Cruz C, Scandella E, Onder L, Ludewig B. Maturation of lymph node fibroblastic reticular cells from myofibroblastic precursors is critical for antiviral immunity. Immunity 2013; 38:1013-24.

Type

Journal Paper/Review (English)

Journal

Immunity 2013; 38

Publication Date

Apr 25, 2013

Issn Electronic

1097-4180

Pages

1013-24

Brief description/objective

The stromal scaffold of the lymph node (LN) paracortex is built by fibroblastic reticular cells (FRCs). Conditional ablation of lymphotoxin-β receptor (LTβR) expression in LN FRCs and their mesenchymal progenitors in developing LNs revealed that LTβR-signaling in these cells was not essential for the formation of LNs. Although T cell zone reticular cells had lost podoplanin expression, they still formed a functional conduit system and showed enhanced expression of myofibroblastic markers. However, essential immune functions of FRCs, including homeostatic chemokine and interleukin-7 expression, were impaired. These changes in T cell zone reticular cell function were associated with increased susceptibility to viral infection. Thus, myofibroblasic FRC precursors are able to generate the basic T cell zone infrastructure, whereas LTβR-dependent maturation of FRCs guarantees full immunocompetence and hence optimal LN function during infection.