Tertiary lymphoid organs in infection and autoimmunity

• Published in: Trends in immunology Vol. 33; no. 6; pp. 297 - 305
• Main Authors: Neyt, Katrijn, Perros, Frédéric, GeurtsvanKessel, Corine H., Hammad, Hamida, Lambrecht, Bart N.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: England Elsevier Ltd 01.06.2012; Elsevier Limited
• Subjects: Allergy and Immunology; Animals; Autoimmune Diseases; Autoimmune Diseases - immunology; Autoimmunity; Cell adhesion & migration; Chemokines; dendritic cells; Disease; Grants; Humans; Immune system; immunology; Infections; Infections - immunology; Ligands; lymph nodes; Lymphocytes; Lymphoid Tissue; Lymphoid Tissue - immunology; Models, Immunological; Rodents; spleen; stromal cells; T-lymphocytes; Vascular endothelial growth factor
• ISSN: 1471-4906; 1471-4981; 1471-4981
• DOI: 10.1016/j.it.2012.04.006

The lymph nodes (LNs) and spleen have an optimal structure that allows the interaction between T cells, B cells and antigen-presenting dendritic cells (DCs) on a matrix made up by stromal cells. Such a highly organized structure can also be formed in tertiary lymphoid organs (TLOs) at sites of infection or chronic immune stimulation. This review focuses on the molecular mechanisms of TLO formation and maintenance, the controversies surrounding the nature of the inducing events, and the functions of these structures in infection, transplantation and autoimmunity.