Disrupted splenic architecture, but normal lymph node development in mice expressing a soluble lymphotoxin-β receptor-IgG1 fusion protein

摘要

Early in ontogeny, the secondary lymphoid organs become populated with numerous cells of mesodermal origin which forms both the lymphoid and stromal elements. The critical receptor/ligand interactions necessary for lym- phoid organogenesis to occur are for the most part unknown. Although lymphotoxin-α (LTα) has been shown to be required for normal lymph node, Peyer's patch, and splenic develop- ment, it is unclear if soluble LTα3, and/or cell-bound lym- photoxin-αβ (LTαβ) mediate these developmental events.