Study reveals how early-life cellular process helps shape lifelong immune health
Researchers at Hospital for Special Surgery (HSS) have uncovered a critical link between the immune system in early life and its function in adulthood. The study, published in Science Immunology, identifies a new role for specialized skin immune cells, called Langerhans cells, in shaping the development of lymphatic vessels—an essential part of the body's immune network.
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Lymphatic vessels act as communication highways, carrying signals from tissues to the immune system to alert it to infection, injury or disease. When this system does not function properly, the body may struggle to fight infections, respond to vaccines, repair tissue or control inflammation.
The new findings show that Langerhans cells play a key role during early life by helping lymphatic vessels grow and develop properly in the skin. This early "setup" has long-term consequences, influencing how well the immune system functions later in life.
"Our study shows that immune cells in the skin do much more than respond to threats—they help build the infrastructure the immune system depends on," said senior author Theresa T. Lu, MD, Ph.D., who holds the St. Giles Chair for Research in the HSS Research Institute and is a member of pediatric rheumatology at HSS.