A Distinct Subset of Fibroblastic Stromal Cells Constitutes the Cortex-Medulla Boundary Subcompartment of the Lymph Node

Publication

A Distinct Subset of Fibroblastic Stromal Cells Constitutes the Cortex-Medulla Boundary Subcompartment of the Lymph Node

Journal Paper/Review - Oct 2, 2018

Takeuchi Arata, Nagasawa Takashi, Takahama Yousuke, Ludewig Burkhard, Miyasaka Masayuki, Umemoto Eiji, Shichida Yuto, Kawamura Toshihiko, Rahman Md Azizur, Kurosawa Yoichi, Ohigashi Izumi, Kozai Mina, Kanda Yasuhiro, Ozawa Madoka, Katakai Tomoya

Citation

Takeuchi A, Nagasawa T, Takahama Y, Ludewig B, Miyasaka M, Umemoto E, Shichida Y, Kawamura T, Rahman M, Kurosawa Y, Ohigashi I, Kozai M, Kanda Y, Ozawa M, Katakai T. A Distinct Subset of Fibroblastic Stromal Cells Constitutes the Cortex-Medulla Boundary Subcompartment of the Lymph Node. Front Immunol 2018; 9:2196.

Type

Journal Paper/Review (English)

Journal

Front Immunol 2018; 9

Publication Date

Oct 2, 2018

Issn Electronic

1664-3224

Pages

2196

Brief description/objective

The spatiotemporal regulation of immune responses in the lymph node (LN) depends on its sophisticated tissue architecture, consisting of several subcompartments supported by distinct fibroblastic stromal cells (FSCs). However, the intricate details of stromal structures and associated FSC subsets are not fully understood. Using several gene reporter mice, we sought to discover unrecognized stromal structures and FSCs in the LN. The four previously identified FSC subsets in the cortex are clearly distinguished by the expression pattern of reporters including PDGFRβ, CCL21-ser, and CXCL12. Herein, we identified a unique FSC subset expressing both CCL21-ser and CXCL12 in the deep cortex periphery (DCP) that is characterized by preferential B cell localization. This subset was clearly different from CXCL12LepR FSCs in the medullary cord, which harbors plasma cells. B cell localization in the DCP was controlled chiefly by CCL21-ser and, to a lesser extent, CXCL12. Moreover, the optimal development of the DCP as well as medulla requires B cells. Together, our findings suggest the presence of a unique microenvironment in the cortex-medulla boundary and offer an advanced view of the multi-layered stromal framework constructed by distinct FSC subsets in the LN.