CCR7 and IRF4-dependent dendritic cells regulate lymphatic collecting vessel permeability

Stoyan Ivanov, Joshua P. Scallan, Ki Wook Kim, Kathrin Werth, Michael W. Johnson, Brian T. Saunders, Peter L. Wang, Emma L. Kuan, Adam C. Straub, Melissa Ouhachi, Erica G. Weinstein, Jesse W. Williams, Carlos Briseño, Marco Colonna, Brant E. Isakson, Emmanuel L. Gautier, Reinhold Förster, Michael J. Davis, Bernd H. Zinselmeyer, Gwendalyn J. Randolph

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

72 Scopus citations

Abstract

Lymphatic collecting vessels direct lymph into and from lymph nodes (LNs) and can become hyperpermeable as the result of a previous infection. Enhanced permeability has been implicated in compromised immunity due to reduced flow of lymph and immune cells to LNs, which are the primary site of antigen presentation to T cells. Presently, very little is known about the molecular signals that affect lymphatic collecting vessel permeability. Here, we have shown that lymphatic collecting vessel permeability is controlled by CCR7 and that the chronic hyperpermeability of collecting vessels observed in Ccr7-/- mice is followed by vessel fibrosis. Reexpression of CCR7 in DCs, however, was sufficient to reverse the development of such fibrosis. IFN regulatory factor 4-positive (IRF4+) DCs constitutively interacted with collecting lymphatics, and selective ablation of this DC subset in Cd11c-Cre Irf4fl/fl mice also rendered lymphatic collecting vessels hyperpermeable and fibrotic. Together, our data reveal that CCR7 plays multifaceted roles in regulating collecting vessel permeability and fibrosis, with one of the key players being IRF4-dependent DCs.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)1581-1591
Number of pages11
JournalJournal of Clinical Investigation
Volume126
Issue number4
DOIs
StatePublished - Apr 1 2016

Fingerprint

Dive into the research topics of 'CCR7 and IRF4-dependent dendritic cells regulate lymphatic collecting vessel permeability'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.

Cite this