IL-4Rα-Expressing B Cells Are Required for CXCL13 Production by Fibroblastic Reticular Cells

Fibroblastic Reticular Cells: Organization

Fibroblastic reticular cells of the lymph node are required for retention of resting but not activated CD8+ T cells.

Fibroblastic reticular cells (FRCs), through their expression of CC chemokine ligand (CCL)19 and CCL21, attract and retain T cells in lymph nodes (LNs), but whether this function applies to both resting and activated T cells has not been examined. Here we describe a model for conditionally depleting FRCs from LNs based on their expression of the diphtheria toxin receptor (DTR) directed by the g...

IL-4Rα-Associated Antigen Processing by B Cells Promotes Immunity in Nippostrongylus brasiliensis Infection

In this study, B cell function in protective T(H)2 immunity against N. brasiliensis infection was investigated. Protection against secondary infection depended on IL-4Rα and IL-13; but not IL-4. Protection did not associate with parasite specific antibody responses. Re-infection of B cell-specific IL-4Rα⁻/⁻ mice resulted in increased worm burdens compared to control mice, despite their equivale...

B cell homeostasis and follicle confines are governed by fibroblastic reticular

Fibroblastic reticular cells (FRCs) are known to inhabit T cell-rich areas of lymphoid organs where they function to coordinate T cell and dendritic cell interactions. However, in vivo manipulation of FRCs has been limited by a dearth of genetic tools targeting this lineage. Here, using a mouse model to conditionally ablate FRCs, we demonstrate their indispensable role in anti-viral T cell resp...

Immortalized clones of fibroblastic reticular cells activate virus-specific T cells during virus infection.

Fibroblastic reticular cells (FRCs) are lymphoid stromal cells essential to T-cell migration and survival. Although FRCs are targets of multiple viral infections, little is known about their role during infection due to the cells' scarcity and difficulty in isolating in vivo. To initiate studies of interactions among FRCs, viruses, and immune cells, we isolated and immortalized CD45(-)gp38(+)CD...