Role of CXC chemokine ligand 13, CC chemokine ligand (CCL) 19, and CCL21 in the organization and function of nasal-associated lymphoid tissue

J Immunol. 2005 Oct 15;175(8):4904-13. doi: 10.4049/jimmunol.175.8.4904.

Abstract

Nasal-associated lymphoid tissue (NALT) orchestrates immune responses to Ags in the upper respiratory tract. Unlike other lymphoid organs, NALT develops independently of lymphotoxin-alpha (LTalpha). However, the structure and function of NALT are impaired in Ltalpha(-/-) mice, suggesting a link between LTalpha and chemokine expression. In this study we show that the expression of CXCL13, CCL19, CCL21, and CCL20 is impaired in the NALT of Ltalpha(-/-) mice. We also show that the NALT of Cxcl13(-/-) and plt/plt mice exhibits some, but not all, of the structural and functional defects observed in the NALT of Ltalpha(-/-) mice. Like the NALT of Ltalpha(-/-) mice, the NALT in Cxcl13(-/-) mice lacks follicular dendritic cells, BP3(+) stromal cells, and ERTR7(+) lymphoreticular cells. However, unlike the NALT of Ltalpha(-/-) mice, the NALT of Cxcl13(-/-) mice has peripheral node addressin(+) high endothelial venules (HEVs). In contrast, the NALT of plt/plt mice is nearly normal, with follicular dendritic cells, BP3(+) stromal cells, ERTR7(+) lymphoreticular cells, and peripheral node addressin(+) HEVs. Functionally, germinal center formation and switching to IgA are defective in the NALT of Ltalpha(-/-) and Cxcl13(-/-) mice. In contrast, CD8 T cell responses to influenza are impaired in Ltalpha(-/-) mice and plt/plt mice. Finally, the B and T cell defects in the NALT of Ltalpha(-/-) mice lead to delayed clearance of influenza from the nasal mucosa. Thus, the B and T cell defects in the NALT of Ltalpha(-/-) mice can be attributed to the impaired expression of CXCL13 and CCL19/CCL21, respectively, whereas impaired HEV development is directly due to the loss of LTalpha.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, P.H.S.

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Chemokine CCL19
  • Chemokine CCL21
  • Chemokine CXCL13
  • Chemokines, CC / physiology*
  • Chemokines, CXC / genetics
  • Chemokines, CXC / physiology*
  • Endothelium, Lymphatic / anatomy & histology
  • Endothelium, Lymphatic / immunology
  • Endothelium, Lymphatic / metabolism
  • Influenza, Human / genetics
  • Influenza, Human / immunology
  • Lymphoid Tissue / cytology
  • Lymphoid Tissue / immunology
  • Lymphoid Tissue / physiology*
  • Lymphotoxin-alpha / deficiency
  • Lymphotoxin-alpha / genetics
  • Lymphotoxin-alpha / metabolism
  • Mice
  • Mice, Inbred C57BL
  • Mice, Knockout
  • Nasal Mucosa / cytology
  • Nasal Mucosa / immunology
  • Nasal Mucosa / physiology*
  • Stromal Cells / physiology

Substances

  • CCL19 protein, human
  • CCL21 protein, human
  • Ccl19 protein, mouse
  • Ccl21c protein, mouse
  • Chemokine CCL19
  • Chemokine CCL21
  • Chemokine CXCL13
  • Chemokines, CC
  • Chemokines, CXC
  • Cxcl13 protein, mouse
  • Lymphotoxin-alpha