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Fibroblastic reticular cells provide a supportive niche for lymph node-resident macrophages.

Joshua D'RozarioKonstantin KnoblichMechthild LütgeChristian Pérez ShibayamaHung-Wei ChengYannick O AlexandreDavid RobertsJoana CamposEmma DuttonMuath SulimanAlice E DentonShannon J TurleyRichard L BoydScott N MuellerBurkhard LudewigTracy S P HengAnne L Fletcher
Published in: European journal of immunology (2023)
The lymph node (LN) is home to resident macrophage populations that are essential for immune function and homeostasis, but key factors controlling this niche are undefined. Here we show that fibroblastic reticular cells (FRCs) are an essential component of the LN macrophage niche. Genetic ablation of FRCs caused rapid loss of macrophages and monocytes from LNs across two in vivo models. Macrophages co-localised with FRCs in human LNs, and murine single-cell RNA-sequencing revealed that FRC subsets broadly expressed master macrophage regulator CSF1. Functional assays containing purified FRCs and monocytes showed that CSF1R signalling was sufficient to support macrophage development. These effects were conserved between mouse and human systems. These data indicate an important role for FRCs in maintaining the lymph node parenchymal macrophage niche. This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved.
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