The spleen is the largest secondary immune system organ in man. Individuals who are asplenic die at an increased rate from overwhelming sepsis. They are also at greater risk of autoimmune disease, some cancers and ischemic cardiac disease. Enhanced mortality is attributed to lack of phagocytes sequestered in spleen that efficiently eliminate appropriate targets, though related cells can be found at other sites. Although the overall organization of splenic white pulp is similar to that of lymph nodes, spleen is not connected to the lymphatic system. Instead, pathogens, RBCs, apoptotic/necrotic, altered and tumor cells all are delivered to and leave the spleen in blood. In contrast to white pulp, splenic red pulp serves as both a reservoir and a filter that determines whether cells coursing therein are retained, destroyed or returned to the circulation. The human venous sinus-lining cell, known as the littoral cell (LC), comprises ~30% of red pulp. Increasing evidence indicates these highly specialized splenocytes are the major determinant of whether RBCs and others are destroyed, retained or returned to the circulation, though the mechanisms that regulate their function are entirely unknown. Others and we showed that LCs are not a classical endothelial cells as they bear multiple macrophage and smooth muscle-associated antigens, are CD8+ and lack traditional markers of endothelial and also hematopoietic lineage. So, why is so little known about LC function? The acquisition, purification and culture of LCs have historically proved very difficult. Based on our recent success in obtaining fresh spleen as well as identifying markers that distinguish LCs from other splenocytes, we are now prepared to further isolate and profile LC gene/protein expression (AIM I). Although cells such as LCs that form specialized structures within complex organs are often hard to propagate ex vivo, overcoming these limitations would represent a significant advance in understanding LC function(s). We have assembled a group of expert endothelial cell biologist-immunologists, and pathologists who will provide us with in depth guidance as we develop diverse LC culture systems (AIM II) that are both physiologically relevant and tractable. These methods will enable discovery of the mechanisms that underlie LC function and lead to development of therapeutics able to modulate splenic filtration in different disease states (e.g. sepsis, malaria, hemoglobinopathies and others).

Public Health Relevance

The venous sinus lining cell or littoral cell (LC) comprises ~30% of the red pulp of human spleen. Increasing evidence suggests these highly specialized cells determine whether cells (e.g. RBCs, WBCs, tumor cells) that flow from blood through spleen will be destroyed, retained in spleen or returned to circulate - that is filtered. Because i has proved very difficult to obtain, purify and culture LCs little is known about their function(s) Based on our recent findings we will isolate, characterize and develop a cell culture system(s) that reflects normal LC biology thereby enabling new discoveries that will lead to novel methods for regulating spleen filtration in disease.

Agency
National Institute of Health (NIH)
Institute
National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID)
Type
Small Research Grants (R03)
Project #
7R03AI103521-03
Application #
8839390
Study Section
Intercellular Interactions (ICI)
Program Officer
Ferguson, Stacy E
Project Start
2013-01-15
Project End
2014-12-31
Budget Start
2014-04-17
Budget End
2014-12-31
Support Year
3
Fiscal Year
2014
Total Cost
$83,626
Indirect Cost
$33,626
Name
University of Massachusetts Medical School Worcester
Department
Internal Medicine/Medicine
Type
Schools of Medicine
DUNS #
603847393
City
Worcester
State
MA
Country
United States
Zip Code
01655