CXCR4 promotes B cell egress from Peyer's patches.

Journal article

Peyer's patches (PPs) play a central role in supporting B cell responses against intestinal antigens, yet the factors controlling B cell passage through these mucosal lymphoid tissues are incompletely understood. We report that, in mixed chimeras, CXCR4-deficient B cells accumulate in PPs compared with their representation in other lymphoid tissues. CXCR4-deficient B cells egress from PPs more slowly than wild-type cells, whereas CXCR5-deficient cells egress more rapidly. The CXCR4 ligand, CXCL12, is expressed by cells adjacent to lymphatic endothelial cells in a zone that abuts but minimally overlaps with the CXCL13(+) follicle. CXCR4-deficient B cells show reduced localization to these CXCL12(+) perilymphatic zones, whereas CXCR5-deficient B cells preferentially localize in these regions. By photoconverting KikGR-expressing cells within surgically exposed PPs, we provide evidence that naive B cells transit PPs with an approximate residency half-life of 10 h. When CXCR4 is lacking, KikGR(+) B cells show a delay in PP egress. In summary, we identify a CXCL12(hi) perilymphatic zone in PPs that plays a role in overcoming CXCL13-mediated retention to promote B cell egress from these gut-associated lymphoid tissues.

Authors: Schmidt, T; Bannard, O; Gray, E; Cyster, J

• Journal: Journal of experimental medicine
• Volume: 210
• Issue: 6
• Pages: 1099-1107
• Publication date: 2013-06-01
• DOI: 10.1084/jem.20122574
• EISSN: 1540-9538
• ISSN: 0022-1007
• Language: English
• Keywords: Receptors, CXCR4; Mice, Inbred ICR; Receptors, CXCR5; B-Lymphocytes; Endothelial Cells; Peyer's Patches; Mice, Inbred C57BL; Mice; Animals; Chemokine CXCL13; Chemokine CXCL12