Stromal cell networks regulate lymphocyte entry, migration, and territoriality in lymph nodes.
After entry into lymph nodes (LNs), B cells migrate to follicles, whereas T cells remain in the paracortex, with each lymphocyte type showing apparently random migration within these distinct areas. Other than chemokines, the factors contributing to this spatial segregation and to the observed patterns of lymphocyte movement are poorly characterized. By combining confocal, electron, and intravital microscopy, we showed that the fibroblastic reticular cell network regulated naive T cell access to the paracortex and also supported and defined the limits of T cell movement within this domain, whereas a distinct follicular dendritic cell network similarly served as the substratum for movement of follicular B cells. These results highlight the central role of stromal microanatomy in orchestrating cell migration within the LN.
Bajénoff
Marc
M
Lymphocyte Biology Section, Laboratory of Immunology, NIAID, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland 20892, USA.
Egen
Jackson G
JG
Koo
Lily Y
LY
Laugier
Jean Pierre
JP
Brau
Frédéric
F
Glaichenhaus
Nicolas
N
Germain
Ronald N
RN
D019264:Adoptive Transfer; D000818:Animals; D002450:Cell Communication / Q000276:immunology; D002634:Chemotaxis, Leukocyte / Q000276:immunology*; D003952:Diagnostic Imaging; D007150:Immunohistochemistry; D008198:Lymph Nodes / Q000276:immunology / Q000378:metabolism / Q000648:ultrastructure*; D008214:Lymphocytes / Q000166:cytology / Q000276:immunology / Q000378:metabolism*; D051379:Mice; D008810:Mice, Inbred C57BL; D018613:Microscopy, Confocal; D008855:Microscopy, Electron, Scanning; D046529:Microscopy, Electron, Transmission; D017154:Stromal Cells / Q000276:immunology / Q000648:ultrastructure*