Profiling the lymphoid-resident T cell pool reveals modulation by age and microbiota

Nat Commun. 2018 Jan 4;9(1):68. doi: 10.1038/s41467-017-02458-4.

Abstract

Despite being implicated in non-lymphoid tissues, non-recirculating T cells may also exist in secondary lymphoid organs (SLO). However, a detailed characterization of this lymphoid-resident T cell pool has not yet been done. Here we show that a substantial proportion of CD4 regulatory (Treg) and memory (Tmem) cells establish long-term residence in the SLOs of specific pathogen-free mice. Of these SLOs, only T cell residence within Peyer's patches is affected by microbiota. Resident CD4 Treg and CD4 Tmem cells from lymph nodes and non-lymphoid tissues share many phenotypic and functional characteristics. The percentage of resident T cells in SLOs increases considerably with age, with S1PR1 downregulation possibly contributing to this altered homeostasis. Our results thus show that T cell residence is not only a hallmark of non-lymphoid tissues, but can be extended to secondary lymphoid organs.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Aging / immunology*
  • Animals
  • Female
  • Germ-Free Life*
  • Immunologic Memory*
  • Lymphoid Tissue / immunology*
  • Mice, Inbred C57BL
  • Microbiota
  • Receptors, Lysosphingolipid / metabolism
  • Sphingosine-1-Phosphate Receptors
  • T-Lymphocytes, Regulatory* / metabolism

Substances

  • Receptors, Lysosphingolipid
  • S1pr1 protein, mouse
  • Sphingosine-1-Phosphate Receptors