The lymph nodes draining the small intestine and colon are anatomically separate and immunologically distinct

Houston, S.A., Cerovic, V., Thomson, C., Brewer, J. , Mowat, A.M. and Milling, S. (2016) The lymph nodes draining the small intestine and colon are anatomically separate and immunologically distinct. Mucosal Immunology, 9(2), pp. 468-478. (doi: 10.1038/mi.2015.77) (PMID:26329428)

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Abstract

Dendritic cells (DCs) in the small intestine (SI) and colon are fundamental to direct intestinal immune responses; they migrate to the mesenteric lymph nodes (MLNs) and prime T cells. We demonstrate anatomical segregation of lymphatic drainage from the intestine, specifically that DCs from the SI and colon migrate to different nodes within the MLN, here called the sMLN and cMLN. As a consequence, different frequencies of DC subsets observed in the SI and colon are reflected among the DCs in the sMLN and cMLN. Consistent with the SI’s function in absorbing food, fed antigen is presented in the sMLN, but not in the cMLN. Furthermore, the levels of expression of CCR9 and α4β7 are increased on T cells in the sMLN compared with the cMLN. DCs from the cMLN and colon are unable to metabolize vitamin A to retinoic acid (RA); thus, DCs may contribute to the differential expression of tissue homing markers observed in the sMLN and cMLN. In summary, the sMLN and cMLN, and the DCs that migrate to these LNs are anatomically and immunologically separate. This segregation allows immune responses in the SI and colon to be controlled independently.

Item Type:Articles
Status:Published
Refereed:Yes
Glasgow Author(s) Enlighten ID:Thomson, Miss Carolyn and Brewer, Professor James and Milling, Professor Simon and Mowat, Professor Allan and Cerovic, Dr Vuk
Authors: Houston, S.A., Cerovic, V., Thomson, C., Brewer, J., Mowat, A.M., and Milling, S.
College/School:College of Medical Veterinary and Life Sciences > School of Infection & Immunity
Journal Name:Mucosal Immunology
Publisher:Nature Publishing Group
ISSN:1933-0219
ISSN (Online):1935-3456
Published Online:02 September 2015

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Project CodeAward NoProject NamePrincipal InvestigatorFunder's NameFunder RefLead Dept
618121The Functions of Migrating Intestinal Dendritic Cells in Tolerance and Immunity.Simon MillingMedical Research Council (MRC)MR/K021095/1III -IMMUNOLOGY
628061Regulation of intestinal Immune responses by the atypical Chemokine receptor CCRL1Robert NibbsMedical Research Council (MRC)MR/L000598/1III -IMMUNOLOGY