奥地利科学技术学院 (ISTA) Michael Sixt研究组发现多层力学控制肿胀淋巴结 (LN)的基质适应。2022年7月11日出版的《自然—免疫学》杂志发表了这项成果。

他们在细胞和器官尺度上描述了 LN 肿胀的生物力学。他们确定淋巴细胞通过流入和增殖作为向外压力的驱动力，导致 T 区 (TRC) 的成纤维细胞网状细胞及其相关导管伸展。在松弛的初始阶段之后，TRCs 通过细胞基质粘附感知到由此产生的应变，这协调了基质网络的局部生长和重塑。

虽然扩展的 TRC 网络重新采用了其典型配置，但器官囊的大量纤维化反应开始出现并阻止了进一步的器官扩张。因此，不同的成纤维细胞群以多层次的方式机械控制 LN 肿胀。

研究人员表示，LN包括两个主要的结构元素：成纤维细胞网状细胞，形成免疫细胞相互作用的专用壁龛，以及在器官周围形成外壳的包膜成纤维细胞。

附：英文原文

Title: Multitier mechanics control stromal adaptations in the swelling lymph node

Author: Assen, Frank P., Abe, Jun, Hons, Miroslav, Hauschild, Robert, Shamipour, Shayan, Kaufmann, Walter A., Costanzo, Tommaso, Krens, Gabriel, Brown, Markus, Ludewig, Burkhard, Hippenmeyer, Simon, Heisenberg, Carl-Philipp, Weninger, Wolfgang, Hannezo, Edouard, Luther, Sanjiv A., Stein, Jens V., Sixt, Michael

Issue&Volume: 2022-07-11

Abstract: Lymph nodes (LNs) comprise two main structural elements: fibroblastic reticular cells that form dedicated niches for immune cell interaction and capsular fibroblasts that build a shell around the organ. Immunological challenge causes LNs to increase more than tenfold in size within a few days. Here, we characterized the biomechanics of LN swelling on the cellular and organ scale. We identified lymphocyte trapping by influx and proliferation as drivers of an outward pressure force, causing fibroblastic reticular cells of the T-zone (TRCs) and their associated conduits to stretch. After an initial phase of relaxation, TRCs sensed the resulting strain through cell matrix adhesions, which coordinated local growth and remodeling of the stromal network. While the expanded TRC network readopted its typical configuration, a massive fibrotic reaction of the organ capsule set in and countered further organ expansion. Thus, different fibroblast populations mechanically control LN swelling in a multitier fashion. Sixt and colleagues show that different fibroblast populations in the lymph node mechanically control its swelling in a multitier fashion.

DOI: 10.1038/s41590-022-01257-4

Source: https://www.nature.com/articles/s41590-022-01257-4