Related Experiment Video
Updated: Aug 26, 2026

Generation of Lymph Node-fat Pad Chimeras for the Study of Lymph Node Stromal Cell Origin
Published on: December 16, 2013
Chemokines as organizers of primary and secondary lymphoid organs
Lars Ohl1, Günter Bernhardt, Oliver Pabst
1Institute of Immunology, Hannover Medical School, Feodor-Lynen-Str. 25, 30625 Hannover, Germany.
Lymphoid organs represent highly specialized tissues enabling the development and activation of B and T lymphocytes. Contact between lymphoid and parenchymal cells in bone marrow and thymus is a prerequisite for proper development of B and T cells, respectively, while secondary lymphoid organs, such as spleen and lymph nodes are the places where B and T cells get into contact with antigen presenting cells in order to initiate an adaptive immune response. Recent evidence suggests that few constitutively produced chemokines are essentially required to allow for the correct positioning and interaction of lymphoid and non-lymphoid cells thus creating microenvironments for efficient development and activation of the immune system at multiple stages.
Lymphoid organs represent highly specialized tissues enabling the development and activation of B and T lymphocytes. Contact between lymphoid and parenchymal cells in bone marrow and thymus is a prerequisite for proper development of B and T cells, respectively, while secondary lymphoid organs, such as spleen and lymph nodes are the places where B and T cells get into contact with antigen presenting cells in order to initiate an adaptive immune response. Recent evidence suggests that few constitutively produced chemokines are essentially required to allow for the correct positioning and interaction of lymphoid and non-lymphoid cells thus creating microenvironments for efficient development and activation of the immune system at multiple stages.
Related Concept Videos
Primary Lymphoid Organs
The red bone marrow is a soft, spongy tissue nestled in the interior of long bones such as the humerus and femur. It is the site...
Secondary Lymphoid Organs
The spleen is a vital organ in the lymphatic system, nestled in the upper left side of the abdomen. It is composed of two primary regions: the red pulp and the white pulp, each having distinct functions. The red pulp performs a significant role in blood filtration. It efficiently purges the blood of old or damaged red blood cells and...
Lymphoid Cells and Tissues
Lymphoid cells consist of various types of immune system cells. These include B and T lymphocytes, which are responsible for producing antibodies and killing infected cells, respectively. Dendritic cells act as messengers between the innate and adaptive...
Functions of the Lymphatic and Immune System
The primary lymphoid organs, including the bone marrow and the thymus, serve as the maturation sites for lymphocytes. Secondary lymphoid organs, like the mucosa-associated lymphoid tissue, activate these lymphocytes and serve as...
Cells of the Adaptive Immune Response
Differentiation of Common Myeloid Progenitor Cells

