Structure and function of the immune system in the spleen.
Document Type
Article
Publication Date
3-1-2019
Keywords
JGM
JAX Source
Sci Immunol 2019 Mar 1; 4(33):eaau6085
Volume
4
Issue
33
ISSN
2470-9468
PMID
30824527
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1126/sciimmunol.aau6085
Grant
AI135221
Abstract
The spleen is the largest secondary lymphoid organ in the body and, as such, hosts a wide range of immunologic functions alongside its roles in hematopoiesis and red blood cell clearance. The physical organization of the spleen allows it to filter blood of pathogens and abnormal cells and facilitate low-probability interactions between antigen-presenting cells (APCs) and cognate lymphocytes. APCs specific to the spleen regulate the T and B cell response to these antigenic targets in the blood. This review will focus on cell types, cell organization, and immunologic functions specific to the spleen and how these affect initiation of adaptive immunity to systemic blood-borne antigens. Potential differences in structure and function between mouse and human spleen will also be discussed.
Recommended Citation
Lewis S,
Williams A,
Eisenbarth S.
Structure and function of the immune system in the spleen. Sci Immunol 2019 Mar 1; 4(33):eaau6085