cellular biology Cell biology (also cellular biology or cytology) is a branch of biology that studies the Anatomy, structure, Physiology, function, and behavior of cell (biology), cells. All living organisms are made of cells. A cell is the basic unit of life th ...

, a reticular cell is a type of

fibroblast A fibroblast is a type of cell (biology), biological cell typically with a spindle shape that synthesizes the extracellular matrix and collagen, produces the structural framework (Stroma (tissue), stroma) for animal Tissue (biology), tissues, and ...

that synthesizes collagen alpha-1(III) and uses it to produce extracellular

reticular fiber Reticular fibers, reticular fibres or reticulin is a type of fiber in connective tissue composed of type III collagen secreted by reticular cells. They are mainly composed of reticulin protein and form a network or mesh. Reticular fibers cross ...

s. Reticular cells provide structural support, since they produce and maintain the thin networks of fibers that are a framework for most lymphoid organs. Reticular cells are found in many organs, including the

spleen The spleen (, from Ancient Greek '' σπλήν'', splḗn) is an organ (biology), organ found in almost all vertebrates. Similar in structure to a large lymph node, it acts primarily as a blood filter. The spleen plays important roles in reg ...

lymph nodes A lymph node, or lymph gland, is a kidney-shaped Organ (anatomy), organ of the lymphatic system and the adaptive immune system. A large number of lymph nodes are linked throughout the body by the lymphatic vessels. They are major sites of lymphoc ...

and

kidneys In humans, the kidneys are two reddish-brown bean-shaped blood-filtering organs that are a multilobar, multipapillary form of mammalian kidneys, usually without signs of external lobulation. They are located on the left and right in the retro ...

. They are also found within tissues, such as lymph nodules. There are different types of reticular cells, including epithelial, mesenchymal, and fibroblastic reticular cells. Fibroblastic reticular cells are involved in directing

B cell B cells, also known as B lymphocytes, are a type of the lymphocyte subtype. They function in the humoral immunity component of the adaptive immune system. B cells produce antibody molecules which may be either secreted or inserted into the plasm ...

s and

T cells T cells (also known as T lymphocytes) are an important part of the immune system and play a central role in the adaptive immune response. T cells can be distinguished from other lymphocytes by the presence of a T-cell receptor (TCR) on their ce ...

to specific regions within the tissue whereas epithelial and mesenchymal reticular cells are associated with certain areas of the

brain The brain is an organ (biology), organ that serves as the center of the nervous system in all vertebrate and most invertebrate animals. It consists of nervous tissue and is typically located in the head (cephalization), usually near organs for ...

References

2. Schat, K. A., Kaspers, B., & Kaiser, P. (2014). Structure of the Avian Lymphoid System. In I. Olah, N. Nagy & L. Vervelde (Eds.), ''Avian Immunology'' (2nd ed., pp. 11-44). Academic Press. Cell biology {{Cell-biology-stub

See also

References