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Updated: Apr 21, 2026

Quantifying Leukocyte Egress via Lymphatic Vessels from Murine Skin and Tumors
Published on: January 7, 2019
Immune complexes stimulate CCR7-dependent dendritic cell migration to lymph nodes.
Menna R Clatworthy1, Caren E Petrie Aronin2, Rebeccah J Mathews3
11] Department of Medicine, MRC Laboratory of Molecular Biology, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK. [2] Laboratory of Systems Biology, Lymphocyte Biology Section, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland, USA.
Immune complexes (ICs) containing IgG antibodies stimulate dendritic cell (DC) migration to lymph nodes. This process, dependent on chemokine receptor 7 (CCR7), may contribute to autoimmune diseases like lupus.
Area of Science:
- Immunology
- Cell Biology
- Autoimmunity
Background:
- Antibodies are crucial for immunity but can cause autoimmune diseases.
- Fc gamma receptors (FcγRs) on dendritic cells (DCs) mediate antibody effector functions.
- DC migration to lymph nodes is key for immune responses and tolerance.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the role of FcγR engagement by IgG immune complexes (ICs) in DC migration.
- To explore the mechanisms underlying IC-induced DC migration.
- To assess the relevance of this process in autoimmune diseases like systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE).
Main Methods:
- In vitro studies using mouse and human DCs stimulated with ICs.
- Assessment of DC migration in chemokine (C-C) ligand 19 (CCL19) gradients.
- Measurement of chemokine (C-C) receptor 7 (CCR7) expression on DCs.
- Intravital two-photon microscopy to observe dermal DC mobilization in vivo.
- Analysis of DC migration in the presence or absence of FcγRIIB.
Main Results:
- Engagement of FcγRs by IgG ICs stimulates DC migration from peripheral tissues to lymph nodes.
- IC-stimulated DCs exhibit enhanced directional migration and increased CCR7 expression.
- Local IC administration mobilizes dermal DCs.
- Dermal DC migration to lymph nodes is dependent on CCR7 and is enhanced when the inhibitory FcγRIIB is absent.
- Serum from SLE patients and a mouse model of SLE promotes dermal DC migration.
Conclusions:
- IgG immune complexes drive dendritic cell migration to lymph nodes via FcγR and CCR7.
- This mechanism may contribute to the pathogenesis of autoimmune diseases, such as lupus, by facilitating the localization of autoantigen-bearing DCs.
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