Immune heterogeneity of head and tail pancreatic lymph nodes in non-obese diabetic mice

Sci Rep. 2019 Jul 5;9(1):9778. doi: 10.1038/s41598-019-45899-1.

Abstract

The pancreatic lymph node is critical to the pathogenesis of autoimmune diabetes, as it constitutes the initial site for the priming of autoreactive T cells. In this study, we compared the histopathology of the head pancreatic lymph node (HPLN) to the tail pancreatic lymph node (TPLN) in NOD mice. HPLNs and TPLNs were harvested from 4 week-, 8 week-, and 12 week-old NOD mice, and their microvasculature, extracellular matrix, and immune cell subsets were characterized. The percentages of B cells and antigen-presenting cells (APCs) were much higher in the HPLN, as compared to the TPLN. Notably, the HPLNs of 12 week-old mice were characterized by greater expansion of high endothelial venules (HEVs) and lymphatic vessels in comparison to the TPLNs. Finally, we observed a higher density of extracellular matrix (ECM) fibers surrounding the lymphatic vasculature in the HPLNs than in the TPLNs. These data for the first time demonstrate that the HPLN possesses a different immune microanatomy and organization from the TPLN. These novel observations unveil a major phenotypic difference between two types of LNs from the same organ and may highlight an independent fundamental role played by each PLN during the establishment of T1D.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Biomarkers
  • Flow Cytometry
  • Fluorescent Antibody Technique
  • Immunity*
  • Immunophenotyping
  • Lymph Nodes / immunology*
  • Lymph Nodes / metabolism*
  • Lymph Nodes / pathology
  • Mice
  • Mice, Inbred NOD
  • Pancreas / immunology*
  • Pancreas / metabolism*

Substances

  • Biomarkers