Splenic Fibroblasts (SF)

Fibroblasts have an important structural role in the spleen, as they provide a scaffold of extracellular matrix in which cells of the immune system reside. Interestingly, 50-65% of the splenic fibroblasts expressed the Thy-1 antigen, while a subpopulation of Thy-1-negative fibroblasts existed.This suggests that the Thy-1- fibroblasts may present antigen to T lymphocytes in vivo under inflammatory conditions. Thus, splenic fibroblasts (SF) are a heterogeneous and dynamic cell type poised in an immunologically relevant location to interact with bone marrow-derived cells under normal and fibrotic conditions.