IntroductionSeveral subsets of stromal cells, in particular follicular dendritic cells (FDCs) and fibroblastic reticular cells (FRCs), are found within secondary lymphoid organs where they play a key role in the initiation and maintenance of efficient immune responses. FDCs are restricted to germinal centers (GCs) and allow B-cell migration, selection, and differentiation through a complex set of survival factors including BCR-mediated signal, chemokines, cytokines, and adhesion molecules. 1 B-cell selection relies on an affinitybased competition for the fixation of antigen, presented as immune complexes by CD21 hi CD35 hi FDCs. Only B cells with high-affinity BCR receive survival signals from FDCs, capture antigen, and present it to CD4 ϩ T cells that deliver additional survival and maturation signals. 2,3 Conversely, FRCs are less well characterized. They are tightly interconnected in the paracortex of lymph nodes (LNs) where they secrete and ensheath various extracellular matrix components, thus building an intricate network of conduits, connecting afferent lymphatic vessels to high endothelial venules (HEVs). 4 This conduit system allows the rapid transport of soluble antigens from the periphery to the resident myeloid immature dendritic cells (DCs). 5 In addition, part of this reticular network called cortical ridge favors B, T, and DC recruitment and reciprocal interactions, in particular through the production of constitutive and inflammatory chemokines. 6,7 CCL19, CCL21, and CXCL12 are involved in the migration of mature myeloid DCs and naive B and T cells, whereas CXCL9, CXCL10, and CCL5 are crucial for the migration of activated T cells and plasmacytoid DCs. [8][9][10] Strikingly, CCL19 and CCL21 are not synthesized by human HEVs but rather by stromal cells in the T-cell zone. 11,12 These chemokines further reach luminal surface of HEVs by endothelial uptake and transcytosis. FRCs provide therefore a favorable and highly specialized lymphoid environment for immune cell migration and activation.The ontogeny of FRCs and FDCs remains unclear, but these cells are supposed to be of mesenchymal origin. LN organogenesis in the mouse relies on the interaction between CD45 Ϫ VCAM-1 ϩ ICAM-1 ϩ mesenchymal cells and CD45 ϩ CD4 ϩ CD3 Ϫ lymphoid tissue inducer cells in the LN anlagen. 13 A prominent role is attributed to lymphotoxin- receptor (LTR) triggering by membrane-bound LT␣12 (LT) and to tumor necrosis factor receptor 1 (TNFR1)/tumor necrosis factor-␣ (TNF). 14,15 Adult lymphoid tissues are highly dynamic structures that retain several features of embryonic organization. 16 Functional mouse FRCs able to construct a reticular meshwork and to secrete inflammatory chemokines could be generated in vitro by stimulation of LN-derived stromal cell lines using a combination of TNF and LT. 17 In vivo, transgenic expression of LT or injection of newborn LN-derived The online version of this article contains a data supplement.The publication costs of this article were defrayed in part by page charge payment. Therefo...