Lymph node fibroblast-produced ECM shapes immune function
Mammalian fibroblastic reticular cells (FRCs) produce and deposit extracellular matrix (ECM) components. The pronounced differences in the composition of ECM components at the basolateral or apical side of FRCs can facilitate either the formation of the conduit or allow their cellular interactions with immune cells, respectively.
Lymph node (LN) microenvironmental stiffness, controlled by the ECM, can act as a regulator of immune cell behavior and function in LNs.
Both FRCs and the composition of the LN ECM can directly steer immune cell fate, thereby affecting tolerance and immune responses.
During some chronic dysregulated immune responses in mice, altered production of FRC ECM can lead to changes in the composition of ECM components expressed on their apical surface.
Various molecules can influence ECM deposition by FRCs, including CLEC-2, LTβ, TNF-α, IL-17, and TGF-β.
https://www.cell.com/trends/immunology/fulltext/S1471-4906(25)00029-8
