Abstract

The formation of ectopic germinal centres structures in non-lymphoid tissues occurs in many inflammatory conditions including infection, allergy, autoimmune disease and cancer. Ectopic germinal centres are aggregates of lymphocytes, myeloid cells and stromal cells that form de novo in response to chronic inflammation and are thought to functionally resemble the immune responses that occur in secondary lymphoid organs. However, we know very little about how these unconventional structures form and almost nothing about their function. Our work has uncovered a novel pathway that induces ectopic germinal centres structures in the lung after viral infection, highlighting how inflammation can remodel non-lymphoid tissues to support a functional germinal centre.

Introduction – Dr Martin Turner

Award presentation – Prof Sir Alex Markham