Endothelial cells in the high endothelial venules (HEVs) control the recruitment of lymphocytes to the lymph nodes through their characteristic high expression of L-selectin ligands. It is known that the maintenance of these features depends on the lymphoid tissue microenvironment and signaling via the lymphotoxin-β receptor. In Nature, Moussion and Girard show that dendritic cells have an essential role in maintaining the HEV phenotype and subsequently in controlling the entry of lymphocytes into the lymph node. In vivo depletion of dendritic cells leads to reversion from a mature to an immature neonatal HEV phenotype, alterations in the rolling velocity and firm adhesion of lymphocytes and loss of total cellularity in the lymph nodes. Control of the maintenance of HEV endothelial cells by dendritic cells depends on the lymphotoxin-β receptor and is mediated through lymphotoxin secretion by the dendritic cells.

Nature (13 November 2011) doi:10.1038/nature10540