Fibroblastic reticular cells of the lymphoid tissues modulate T cell activation threshold during homeostasis via hyperactive cyclooxygenase-2/prostaglandin E₂ axis.

ABSTRACT: Fibroblastic reticular cells (FRCs) in the T cell zone of lymph nodes (LNs) are pivotal for T cell survival, mobility, and peripheral tolerance. Here, we demonstrate that during homeostasis, FRCs also suppress T cell activation via producing high level of prostaglandin E₂ (PGE₂) due to their thousands-fold higher cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) expression than immune cells. This hyperactive COX-2/PGE₂-induced suppression is evident during antigen-specific and non-antigen-specific activations. It is implicated as suppressed TCR-signaling cascades, reduced alterations in activation markers, and inhibited cytokine production of freshly isolated T cells or T cells co-cultured with FRCs compared with those cultured without FRCs. Different from T cell dysfunction, this

SUBMITTER: Yu M 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC5469856 | biostudies-literature | 2017 Jun

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature