Related Experiment Video
Updated: May 19, 2026

Generation of Lymph Node-fat Pad Chimeras for the Study of Lymph Node Stromal Cell Origin
Published on: December 16, 2013
Lymphotoxin-β receptor signaling through NF-κB2-RelB pathway reprograms adipocyte precursors as lymph node stromal
Cécile Bénézech1, Emma Mader, Guillaume Desanti
1School of Immunity and Infection, IBR-MRC Centre for Immune Regulation, College of Medical and Dental Sciences, University of Birmingham, UK. c.benezech@bham.ac.uk
Abstract:
Lymph node development during embryogenesis involves lymphotoxin-β receptor engagement and subsequent differentiation of a poorly defined population of mesenchymal cells into lymphoid tissue organizer cells. Here, we showed that embryonic mesenchymal cells with characteristics of adipocyte precursors present in the microenvironment of lymph nodes gave rise to lymph node organizer cells. Signaling through the lymphotoxin-β receptor controlled the fate of adipocyte precursor cells by blocking adipogenesis and instead promoting lymphoid tissue stromal cell differentiation. This effect involved activation of the NF-κB2-RelB signaling pathway and inhibition of the expression of the key adipogenic factors Pparγ and Cebpα. In vivo organogenesis assays show that embryonic and adult adipocyte precursor cells can migrate into newborn lymph nodes and differentiate into a variety of lymph node stromal cells. Thus, we propose that adipose tissues act as a source of lymphoid stroma for lymph nodes and other lymphoid structures associated with fat.
Related Concept Videos
NF-κB-dependent Signaling Pathway
NF-κB-dependent Signaling Mechanism
The heterodimer of NF-κB...
NF-kB-dependent Signaling Pathway
NF-κB-dependent Signaling Mechanism
The heterodimer of NF-κB...
TGF - β Signaling Pathway
Regulation of Nuclear Protein Sorting
The JAK-STAT Signaling Pathway
Signal Transduction: Overview
Typically, signal transduction involves three...
