This research identifies dendritic cells (DCs) as the primary architects governing the transition between immediate and long-term immunity within lymph nodes. Upon infection or vaccination, resident DCs rapidly recruit innate effector cells like neutrophils and monocytes by secreting chemokines and expressing the adhesion molecule ICAM-1. While this influx creates an essential innate cell firewall to contain pathogens, a heavy accumulation of neutrophils can temporarily disrupt lymph node architecture and suppress T cell activation. To resolve this, DCs and recruited monocytes eventually clear dying neutrophils through phagocytosis, thereby restoring the tissue environment for optimal adaptive immune responses. Ultimately, the study reveals that DCs act as a rheostat, carefully balancing early pathogen defense with the successful development of lasting immunity.

References:

• Huang J Y, Gerner M Y. Dendritic cells regulate the innate-adaptive balance in lymph nodes for optimal host defense[J]. Cell, 2025.