The organization of lymphoid tissue in relation to function

Organized lymphoid tissue is found in the thymus, spleen, lymph nodes; lining the respiratory and alimentary tracts; and also occurring at sites of chronic inflammation. Apart from the thymus which is involved in the regulation of T-cell function, the other tissues are organized into T-cell and B-cell areas. Lymphocytes in T-cell areas respond by proliferation in cell-mediated immunity and by the production of suppressor cells and helper for antibody formation. B-cell areas are involved in the humoral antibody response. B-cells are segregated into lymph follicles where they form germinal centers and are found at the corticomedullary junction where they differentiate into plasma cells. The role of lymph follicles in becoming germinal centers is poorly understood, but these areas are known to be the site of antigen trapping in primed animals. The particular function of the spleen as a localized area of lymphoid tissue along the course of the blood vascular system is discussed, particularly with respect to its ability to respond to soluble antigen released from sites of localized antigen deposition such as tumors.