The atypical chemokine receptor CCRL1 shapes functional CCL21 gradients in lymph nodes

Maria H Ulvmar, Kathrin Werth, Asolina Braun, Poonam Kelay, Elin Hub, Kathrin Eller, Li Chan, Beth Lucas, Igor Novitzky-Basso, Kyoko Nakamura, Thomas Rülicke, Robert J B Nibbs, Tim Worbs, Reinhold Förster, Antal Rot

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

142 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

Afferent lymph-borne dendritic cells essentially rely on the chemokine receptor CCR7 for their transition from the subcapsular lymph node sinus into the parenchyma, a migratory step driven by putative gradients of CCR7 ligands. We found that lymph node fringes indeed contained physiological gradients of the chemokine CCL21, which depended on the expression of CCRL1, the atypical receptor for the CCR7 ligands CCL19 and CCL21. Lymphatic endothelial cells lining the ceiling of the subcapsular sinus, but not those lining the floor, expressed CCRL1, which scavenged chemokines from the sinus lumen. This created chemokine gradients across the sinus floor and enabled the emigration of dendritic cells. In vitro live imaging revealed that spatially confined expression of CCRL1 was necessary and sufficient for the creation of functional chemokine gradients.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)623-30
Number of pages8
JournalNature Immunology
Volume15
Issue number7
Early online date11 May 2014
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - Jul 2014

Keywords

  • Animals
  • Cell Movement
  • Chemokine CCL21
  • Dendritic Cells
  • Lymph Nodes
  • Mice
  • Mice, Inbred C57BL
  • Receptors, CCR

Fingerprint

Dive into the research topics of 'The atypical chemokine receptor CCRL1 shapes functional CCL21 gradients in lymph nodes'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.

Cite this