Bogoslowski Ania, Kubes Paul
Calvin, Phoebe & Joan Snyder Institute for Chronic Diseases, Cumming School of Medicine , University of Calgary , Calgary , Alberta T2N 4N1 , Canada.
Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, Cumming School of Medicine , University of Calgary , Calgary , Alberta T2N 4N1 , Canada.
ACS Infect Dis. 2018 Aug 10;4(8):1158-1161. doi: 10.1021/acsinfecdis.8b00111. Epub 2018 Jun 1.
Lymph nodes have been studied for decades as the main site of the adaptive immune response. In this Viewpoint, we outline how the lymph nodes have another less appreciated function as an active innate barrier. Lymph nodes drain lymphatic fluid from tissues that are exposed to the external environment, such as the skin, lung, or gut. Pathogens that travel through lymphatics should be able to enter the circulation, if it were not for the strategic localization of lymph nodes along lymphatics which prevent systemic access. There is growing evidence for several populations of innate immune cells in the lymph node that function to control pathogens. Understanding how the lymph node functions as an active innate barrier can contribute to improving defenses against dissemination of infections in patients.
几十年来，淋巴结一直作为适应性免疫反应的主要部位被研究。在本观点文章中，我们概述了淋巴结作为一个活跃的天然屏障所具有的另一个较少被认识到的功能。淋巴结引流来自暴露于外部环境的组织（如皮肤、肺或肠道）的淋巴液。如果不是因为淋巴结沿淋巴管的战略定位阻止病原体进入全身循环，那么通过淋巴管传播的病原体应该能够进入血液循环。越来越多的证据表明，淋巴结中有几类天然免疫细胞发挥着控制病原体的作用。了解淋巴结作为活跃天然屏障的功能有助于提高患者抵御感染扩散的能力。
