Compartmentalization of dendritic cell and T‐cell interactions in the lymph node: Anatomy of T‐cell fate decisions

Upon receiving cognate and co‐stimulatory priming signals from antigen (Ag)‐presenting dendritic cells (DCs) in secondary lymphoid tissues, naïve CD4⁺ T cells differentiate into distinct effector and memory populations. These alternate cell fate decisions, which ultimately control the T‐cell functional attributes, are dictated by programming signals provided by Ag‐bearing DCs and by other cells that are present in the microenvironment in which T‐cell priming occurs. We know that DCs can be subdivided into multiple populations and that the various DC subsets exhibit differential capacities to initiate development of the different CD4⁺ T‐helper populations. What is less well understood is why different subanatomic regions of secondary lymphoid tissues are colonized by distinct populations of Ag‐presenting DCs and how the location of these DCs influences the type of T‐cell response that will be generated. Here we review how chemokine receptors and their ligands, which position allergen and nematode‐activated DCs within different microdomains of secondary lymphoid tissues, contribute to the establishment of IL‐4 committed follicular helper T and type 2 helper cell responses.