Conduits mediate transport of low-molecular-weight antigen to lymph node follicles.
To track drainage of lymph-borne small and large antigens (Ags) into the peripheral lymph nodes and subsequent encounter by B cells and follicular dendritic cells, we used the approach of multiphoton intravital microscopy. We find a system of conduits that extend into the follicles and mediate delivery of small antigens to cognate B cells and follicular dendritic cells. The follicular conduits provide an efficient and rapid mechanism for delivery of small antigens and chemokines such as CXCL13 to B cells that directly contact the conduits. By contrast, large antigens were bound by subcapsular sinus macrophages and subsequently transferred to follicular B cells as previously reported. In summary, the findings identify a unique pathway for the channeling of small lymph-borne antigens and chemoattractants from the subcapsular sinus directly to the B cell follicles. This pathway could be used for enhancing delivery of vaccines or small molecules for improvement of humoral immunity.
Roozendaal
Ramon
R
Departments of Pediatrics and Pathology, Immune Disease Institute, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115, USA.
Mempel
Thorsten R
TR
Pitcher
Lisa A
LA
Gonzalez
Santiago F
SF
Verschoor
Admar
A
Mebius
Reina E
RE
von Andrian
Ulrich H
UH
Carroll
Michael C
MC
D000818:Animals; D017951:Antigen Presentation / Q000276:immunology; D000941:Antigens / Q000276:immunology* / Q000378:metabolism*; D001402:B-Lymphocytes / Q000276:immunology; D001692:Biological Transport / Q000276:immunology; D054382:Chemokine CXCL13 / Q000276:immunology; D008198:Lymph Nodes / Q000276:immunology* / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000648:ultrastructure; D051379:Mice; D008810:Mice, Inbred C57BL; D008854:Microscopy, Electron; D008970:Molecular Weight; D013601:T-Lymphocytes / Q000276:immunology; D013997:Time Factors
D000941:Antigens; D054382:Chemokine CXCL13