[PDF][PDF] Conduits mediate transport of low-molecular-weight antigen to lymph node follicles

R Roozendaal, TR Mempel, LA Pitcher, SF Gonzalez… - Immunity, 2009 - cell.com
R Roozendaal, TR Mempel, LA Pitcher, SF Gonzalez, A Verschoor, RE Mebius…
Immunity, 2009cell.com
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 …
Summary
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.
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