Notch signaling in the spleen

Spleen and lymph nodes display functionally distinct compartments which optimize antigen recognition by T and B cells, and their proliferation as well as effector differentiation. These compartments are established and maintained by different chemokine-expressing fibroblasts, but the factors driving fibroblast specialization and thereby organ patterning are poorly known. Using gene arrays we identified a Notch signaling signature in lymph node fibroblasts and therefore generated mice deficient in Notch signaling within these cells. Using single-cell RNAseq analysis we identified larger changes in fibroblast subsets, most notably within the T zone. As a consequence, we observed changes in T cell and dendritic cell distribution that affected T cell responses. Finally, we identified the specific Notch ligand responsible for sustaining Notch2 signaling in T zone fibroblasts in homeostasis pointing to a continuous need for this signaling pathway in the maintenance of proper lymph node organization and function.

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From 31 May 2024 11:30
Until 31 May 2024 12:30
Location FSVMII building, seminar room, L5

Speaker Sanjiv Luther
Affiliation University of Lausanne
Host Sophie Janssens

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About the speaker

Sanjiv Luther studied cell biology at the ETH in Zürich. He received his PhD in 1996 from the University of Lausanne for his work on anti-viral immune responses in the laboratory of Hans Acha-Orbea. He then moved to the laboratory of Jason Cyster at the Howard Hughes Medical Institute at the University of California, San Francisco where he investigated the role of chemotactic factors in lymphoid tissue development and function. In 2003 he joined the Department of Immunobiology (formerly Biochemistry) as Assistant Professor funded by a career-development award from the Swiss National Science Foundation. In 2009 he became Associate Professor and in 2021 Full Professor. His current research focuses on the characterization of fibroblastic stromal cells found within secondary lymphoid organs and their role in immunity.