Title: Insights into the Transcriptional Identities of Lymph Node Stromal Cell Subsets Isolated from Resting and Inflamed Lymph Nodes
Description: Non-hematopoietic stromal cells (SCs) promote and regulate adaptive immunity through numerous direct and indirect mechanisms. SCs construct and support the secondary lymphoid organs (SLOs) in which lymphocytes crawl on stromal networks and inspect antigen-presenting cells for surface-display of cognate antigens. SCs also secrete survival factors and chemotactic cues that recruit, organize, and facilitate interactions among these leukocytes. They influence antigen access by secreting and ensheathing extracellular matrix-based conduit networks that rapidly convey small, soluble lymph-borne molecules to the SLO core. Furthermore, lymph node stromal cells (LNSCs) directly induce CD8+ T cell tolerance to peripheral tissue restricted antigens and constrain the proliferation of newly activated T cells in these sites. Thus, stromal-hematopoietic interactions are crucial for the normal functioning of the immune system.