Conduit integrity is compromised during acute lymph node expansion

• DOI: 10.1101/527481
• Publication Date: 2019-01-24T10:36:50Z
• Authors: Victor G. Martinez; Valeriya Pankova; Lukas Krasny; Tanya Singh; Ian J. White; Agnesska C. Benjamin; Simone Dertschnig; Harry L. Horsnell; Janos Kriston-Vizi; Jemima J. Burden; Paul H. Huang; Christopher J. Tape; Sophie E. Acton
• Keywords: Matrix (chemical analysis)

Lymph nodes (LNs) work as filtering organs, constantly sampling peripheral cues. This is facilitated by the conduit network, a parenchymal tubular-like structure formed of bundles aligned extracellular matrix (ECM) fibrils ensheathed fibroblastic reticular cells (FRCs). LNs undergo 5-fold expansion with every adaptive immune response and yet these ECM-rich structures are not permanently damaged. Whether integrity functions affected during cycles LN resolution known. Here we show that disrupted acute but FRC-FRC contacts remain intact. In homeostasis, polarised FRCs adhere to underlying substrate deposit ECM ba-solaterally. production regulated C-type lectin CLEC-2, expressed dendritic (DCs), at transcriptional secretory levels. Inflamed maintain size-exclusion, flow becomes leaky, which allows soluble antigens reach more antigen-presenting cells. We how dynamic communication between tissues changes responses, describe mechanism enables prevent inflammation-induced fibrosis. Highlights use polarized microtubule networks guide deposition CLEC-2/PDPN controls post-transcriptional levels halt decouple from conduits Conduits leak antigen