| First Author | Wendland M | Year | 2011 |
| Journal | Immunity | Volume | 35 |
| Issue | 6 | Pages | 945-57 |
| PubMed ID | 22195748 | Mgi Jnum | J:179277 |
| Mgi Id | MGI:5301736 | Doi | 10.1016/j.immuni.2011.10.017 |
| Citation | Wendland M, et al. (2011) Lymph node T cell homeostasis relies on steady state homing of dendritic cells. Immunity 35(6):945-57 |
| abstractText | Little is known about mechanisms determining the homeostasis of lymphocytes within lymphoid organs. Applying different mouse models, including conditionally proficient Ccr7 gene-targeted mice, we now show that semimature steady state dendritic cells (sDCs) constitutively trafficking into lymph nodes (LNs) were essential contributors to T cell homeostasis in these organs. sDCs provided vascular endothelial growth factor known to support high endothelial venule formation, thus facilitating enhanced homing of T cells to LNs. The presence of sDCs led to increased CCL21 production in T-zone fibroblastic reticular cells. CCL21 is a ligand for CCR7 known to regulate homing as well as retention of T cells in LNs. In addition, we provide evidence that CCL21 binds to the surface of DCs via its heparin-binding domain, further explaining why T cells leave LNs more rapidly in the absence of sDCs. Together, these data reveal multiple roles for sDCs in regulating T cell homeostasis in LNs. |
