LYMPHOID TISSUES · The development and function of secondary and tertiary lymphoid tissues

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Project objective

Adaptive immune responses are initiated in large and highly organized clusters of lymphocytes and antigen presenting cells, the secondary and tertiary lymphoid tissues (LTs). The development of secondary LTs, i.e. lymph nodes and Peyer's patches, is programmed and initiated in the sterile environment of the fetus. A cascade of events is triggered by lymphoid tissue inducer (LTi) cells, which recapitulates the inflammatory reaction and culminates in the formation of complex structures carrying specialized he matopoietic and stromal cells. The formation of tertiary LTs follows a similar pathway, but is induced after birth by commensal microbes, infection or injury. Chronic inflammation also leads to the spatial organization of the lesion and to tertiary LT formation, which may establish a positive feedback loop of lymphocyte activation.The aim of our laboratory is to understand the mechanisms that lead to the formation of LTs during fetal life, in response to commensals, during infection and injury, and during the inflammatory reaction. The long-term goal is to develop new and specific tools for the modulation of pathologic inflammatory diseases, such as inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) and rheumatoid arthritis, or conversely, to induce the formation of LTs to enhance local immunity against infection or cancer.The specific aims of this project are:1. Understanding the fetal development of secondary LTs.2. Understanding the post-natal formation and function of tertiary LTs.3. Identifying lymphoid stromal cells initiating and supporting LT development.4. Modulating pathologic inflammation through the control of LTs.5. Inducing therapeutic LTs.

Original text from CORDIS.

Participants

• INSTITUT PASTEUR · PARISCoordinatorFrance

Links

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