Recruitment and Activation of Naive T Cells in the Islets by Lymphotoxin β Receptor-Dependent Tertiary Lymphoid Structure

Youjin Lee, Robert K. Chin, Peter Christiansen, Yonglian Sun, Alexei V. Tumanov, Jing Wang, Alexander V. Chervonsky, Yang Xin Fu

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

125 Scopus citations

Abstract

The development of spontaneous insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus is preceded by the organization of tertiary lymphoid organ (TLO) in situ, but its role in the development of tissue destruction and the cytokines that control such structures have not been fully defined. We have now observed that TNF superfamily 14 (TNFSF14) is upregulated in aged nonobese diabetic (NOD) pancreas with the appearance of TLO. Blockade of TNFSF14 signaling caused a substantial reduction in the expression of lymphotoxin β receptor (LTβR)-controlled migration factors within the islets and disrupts organization of tertiary structures, leading to prevention of diabetes. Consistently, enhancing LTβR signaling by transgenic expression of TNFSF14 in the islets of NOD mice rapidly promoted de novo formation of local TLO, resulting in diabetes, even in the absence of draining lymph nodes (LN). Thus, the TNFSF14-LTβR pathway appears to be critical in the development and maintenance of TLO for the onset of diabetes.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)499-509
Number of pages11
JournalImmunity
Volume25
Issue number3
DOIs
StatePublished - Sep 2006

Keywords

  • CELLIMMUNO
  • HUMDISEASE

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Immunology and Allergy
  • Immunology
  • Infectious Diseases

Fingerprint

Dive into the research topics of 'Recruitment and Activation of Naive T Cells in the Islets by Lymphotoxin β Receptor-Dependent Tertiary Lymphoid Structure'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.

Cite this