Molecular Drivers of Lymphocyte Organization in Vertebrate Mucosal Surfaces: Revisiting the TNF Superfamily Hypothesis.

ABSTRACT: The adaptive immune system of all jawed vertebrates relies on the presence of B and T cell lymphocytes that aggregate in specific body sites to form primary and secondary lymphoid structures. Secondary lymphoid organs include organized MALT (O-MALT) such as the tonsils and Peyer patches. O-MALT became progressively organized during vertebrate evolution, and the TNF superfamily of genes has been identified as essential for the formation and maintenance of O-MALT and other secondary and tertiary lymphoid structures in mammals. Yet, the molecular drivers of O-MALT structures found in ectotherms and birds remain essentially unknown. In this study, we provide evidence that TNFSFs, such as lymphotoxins, are likely not a universal mechanism to maintain O-MALT st

SUBMITTER: Heimroth RD 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC7872792 | biostudies-literature | 2020 May

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature