Fibroblastic reticular cells serve as primary immune checkpoint in visceral adipose tissues and secure peritoneal immunity

Immune protection of the body cavities depends on the swift activation of innate and adaptive immune responses in non-classical secondary lymphoid organs known as fat-associated lymphoid clusters (FALCs). While it is well-established that fibroblastic reticular cells (FRCs) are an integral component of the immune-stimulating infrastructure of lymph nodes and other classical secondary lymphoid organs, it has remained elusive whether and how FRCs in FALCs contribute to peritoneal immunity. Using FRC-specific gene targeting, we found that FALCs are underpinned by an elaborated FRC network and that initiation of peritoneal immunity was governed through FRC activation via MyD88-dependent innate immunological sensing. FRC-specific ablation of Myd88 expression blocked recruitment of inflammatory monocytes into FALCs and subsequent CD4+ T cell-dependent B-cell activation. Moreover, containment of Salmonella infection was compromised in conditionally Myd88-deficient mice indicating that FRCs in FALCs function as initial checkpoint in the orchestration of protective immune responses in the peritoneal cavity.