Related Experiment Video
Updated: Aug 19, 2026

Generation of Lymph Node-fat Pad Chimeras for the Study of Lymph Node Stromal Cell Origin
Published on: December 16, 2013
Cytokine regulation of secondary lymphoid organ development
1Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Washington University School of Medicine, Saint Louis, MO 63110, USA. chaplin@im.wustl.edu
Lymphotoxin and tumor necrosis factor provide essential signals for the formation of secondary lymphoid tissue structures. Lymphotoxin in its membrane form (LT alpha 1 beta 2 heterotrimer) is required for the development of lymph nodes and Peyer's patches and supports the development of normal spleen structure. In the spleen, lymphotoxin acts during embryonic development to support the formation of distinct B and T cell zones. Lymphotoxin also acts in a tonic fashion-supporting the formation and maintenance of the follicular dendritic cell network and of primary B cell follicle structure. The cells that deliver the tonic lymphotoxin signal supporting follicular dendritic cell structure are B cells; thus, B cells participate fundamentally in the development of the lymphoid tissue structure in which they subsequently mature.
Lymphotoxin and tumor necrosis factor provide essential signals for the formation of secondary lymphoid tissue structures. Lymphotoxin in its membrane form (LT alpha 1 beta 2 heterotrimer) is required for the development of lymph nodes and Peyer's patches and supports the development of normal spleen structure. In the spleen, lymphotoxin acts during embryonic development to support the formation of distinct B and T cell zones. Lymphotoxin also acts in a tonic fashion-supporting the formation and maintenance of the follicular dendritic cell network and of primary B cell follicle structure. The cells that deliver the tonic lymphotoxin signal supporting follicular dendritic cell structure are B cells; thus, B cells participate fundamentally in the development of the lymphoid tissue structure in which they subsequently mature.
Related Concept Videos
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...
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...
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...
Cells of the Adaptive Immune Response
T Cell Types and Functions
Th1 cells stimulate dendritic cells to express necessary co-stimulatory molecules on their surfaces for...

