Publication

Early-life programming of mesenteric lymph node stromal cell identity by the lymphotoxin pathway regulates adult mucosal immunity

Journal Paper/Review - Dec 20, 2019

Units
PubMed
Doi

Citation
Li C, Ludewig B, Martin A, Liao S, He H, Navarre W, Sun T, Rojas O, Korneev K, Brownlie E, Ahmed M, Nguyen A, Lee D, Zhang J, Ward L, Perez Shibayama C, Lam E, Gommerman J. Early-life programming of mesenteric lymph node stromal cell identity by the lymphotoxin pathway regulates adult mucosal immunity. Sci Immunol 2019; 4
Type
Journal Paper/Review (English)
Journal
Sci Immunol 2019; 4
Publication Date
Dec 20, 2019
Issn Electronic
2470-9468
Brief description/objective

Redundant mechanisms support immunoglobulin A (IgA) responses to intestinal antigens. These include multiple priming sites [mesenteric lymph nodes (MLNs), Peyer's patches, and isolated lymphoid follicles] and various cytokines that promote class switch to IgA, even in the absence of T cells. Despite these backup mechanisms, vaccination against enteric pathogens such as rotavirus has limited success in some populations. Genetic and environmental signals experienced during early life are known to influence mucosal immunity, yet the mechanisms for how these exposures operate remain unclear. Here, we used rotavirus infection to follow antigen-specific IgA responses through time and in different gut compartments. Using genetic and pharmacological approaches, we tested the role of the lymphotoxin (LT) pathway-known to support IgA responses-at different developmental stages. We found that LT-β receptor (LTβR) signaling in early life programs intestinal IgA responses in adulthood by affecting antibody class switch recombination to IgA and subsequent generation of IgA antibody-secreting cells within an intact MLN. In addition, early-life LTβR signaling dictates the phenotype and function of MLN stromal cells to support IgA responses in the adult. Collectively, our studies uncover new mechanistic insights into how early-life LTβR signaling affects mucosal immune responses during adulthood.