Secondary lymphoid organ (SLO) stromal cell subsets
| Stromal subset | Location in SLO | Selected surface markers | Function |
|---|---|---|---|
| Podoplanin (gp38) and/or CD31 positive | |||
| Fibroblastic reticular cells (gp38+ CD31−) | T-cell zone | CCL19, CCL21, IL-7, MHC Class I, laminin, desmin, fibrillin, fibronectin, collagen I, II and IV, ICAM-1, VCAM-1 | Production of reticular network and conduit system to increase antigen-presenting cell–T-cell interactions and T-cell homeostasis |
| Lymphatic endothelial cells (gp38+ CD31+) | Afferent/efferent lymphatics | ER-TR7 antigen, PROX1, LYVE1, CCL21, S1P, VE-cadherin, ICAM-1, VCAM-1 | Transport of lymph and antigen/cells it contains |
| Blood endothelial cells (gp38− CD31+) | High endothelial venules | Peripheral lymph node adressin (peripheral LN), MAdCAM-1 (mucosal LN) CCL21, CD34, JAM, ESAM1, VE-cadherin | Entry of blood cells to SLO |
| Follicular dendritic cells (gp38+ CD31−) | B-cell follicles | MAdCAM-1, CXCL12, CXCL13, BAFF, Complement receptors, including CD35–CR1) laminin, desmin, αSMA | Capture of antigen, B-cell presentation and chemokine production |
| Marginal reticular cells (gp38+ CD31−) | Subcapsular sinus | ER-TR7 antigen, ICAM1, VCAM1, MAdCAM1, RANKL, CXCL13 laminin, desmin | Conduits, chemokines and structure |
| Double negative (gp38− CD31−) | |||
| Extrathymic AIRE-expressing cells | T-cell zone | EpCAM, MHC Class II, MHC Class I | Peripheral tolerance |
| Fibroblastic contractile pericytes | Medulla and cortex | ITGA7, Unknown | Unknown |
| Bulk population | Unknown | Unknown | 5–10% of stromal population, unknown function |