Complementation of Lymphotoxin α Knockout Mice with Tumor Necrosis Factor–expressing Transgenes Rectifies Defective Splenic Structure and Function (original) (raw)

Immune and inflammatory responses in TNF alpha-deficient mice: a critical requirement for TNF alpha in the formation of primary B cell follicles, follicular dendritic cell networks and germinal centers, and in the maturation of the humoral immune response

Journal of Experimental Medicine, 1996

To investigate the role of TNF alpha in the development of in vivo immune response we have generated TNF alpha-deficient mice by gene targeting. Homozygous mutant mice are viable and fertile, develop lymph nodes and Peyer's patches and show no apparent phenotypic abnormalities, indicating that TNF alpha is not required for normal mouse development. In the absence of TNF alpha mice readily succumb to L. monocytogenes infections and show reduced contact hypersensitivity responses. Furthermore, TNF alpha knockout mice are resistant to the systemic toxicity of LPS upon D-galactosamine sensitization, yet they remain sensitive to high doses of LPS alone. Most interestingly, TNF alpha knockout mice completely lack splenic primary B cell follicles and cannot form organized follicular dendritic cell (FDC) networks and germinal centers. However, despite the absence of B cell follicles, Ig class-switching can still occur, yet deregulated humoral immune responses against either thymus-depen...

Abnormal Development of Secondary Lymphoid Tissues in Lymphotoxin beta -deficient Mice

Proceedings of The National Academy of Sciences, 1997

The tumor necrosis factor (TNF) family cytokines lymphotoxin (LT) alpha and LTbeta form heterotrimers that are expressed on the surface of activated lymphocytes and natural killer cells; LTalpha homotrimers can be secreted as well. Mice with a disrupted LTalpha gene lack lymph nodes (LN), Peyer's patches (PP), and follicular dendritic cell (FDC) networks and reveal profound defects of the splenic

Abnormal development of secondary lymphoid tissues in lymphotoxin -deficient mice

Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, 1997

The tumor necrosis factor (TNF) family cytokines lymphotoxin (LT) ␣ and LT␤ form heterotrimers that are expressed on the surface of activated lymphocytes and natural killer cells; LT␣ homotrimers can be secreted as well. Mice with a disrupted LT␣ gene lack lymph nodes (LN), Peyer's patches (PP), and follicular dendritic cell (FDC) networks and reveal profound defects of the splenic architecture. However, it is unclear which of these abnormalities is the result of the absence in LT␣ homotrimers or LT␣␤ heterotrimers. To distinguish between these two possibilities, a mouse strain deficient in LT␤ was created employing Cre͞ loxP-mediated gene targeting. Mice deficient in LT␤ reveal severe defects in organogenesis of the lymphoid system similar to those of LT␣ ؊͞؊ mice, except that mesenteric and cervical LN are present in most LT␤-deficient mice. Both LT␤-and LT␣-deficient mice show significant lymphocytosis in the circulation and peritoneal cavity and lymphocytic infiltrations in lungs and liver. After immunization, PNA-positive B cell clusters were detected in the splenic white pulp of LT␤deficient mice, but FDC networks were severely underdeveloped. Collectively, these results indicate that LT␣ can signal independently from LT␤ in the formation of PNA-positive foci in the spleen, and especially in the development of mesenteric and cervical LN.

Abnormal development of secondary lymphoid tissues in lymphotoxin β-deficient mice

Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, 1997

The tumor necrosis factor (TNF) family cytokines lymphotoxin (LT) α and LTβ form heterotrimers that are expressed on the surface of activated lymphocytes and natural killer cells; LTα homotrimers can be secreted as well. Mice with a disrupted LTα gene lack lymph nodes (LN), Peyer’s patches (PP), and follicular dendritic cell (FDC) networks and reveal profound defects of the splenic architecture. However, it is unclear which of these abnormalities is the result of the absence in LTα homotrimers or LTαβ heterotrimers. To distinguish between these two possibilities, a mouse strain deficient in LTβ was created employing Cre/loxP-mediated gene targeting. Mice deficient in LTβ reveal severe defects in organogenesis of the lymphoid system similar to those of LTα−/−mice, except that mesenteric and cervical LN are present in most LTβ-deficient mice. Both LTβ- and LTα-deficient mice show significant lymphocytosis in the circulation and peritoneal cavity and lymphocytic infiltrations in lungs ...

Peyer's patch organogenesis is intact yet formation of B lymphocyte follicles is defective in peripheral lymphoid organs of mice deficient for tumor necrosis factor and its 55-kDa receptor

Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, 1997

Targeted inactivation of genes in the tumor necrosis factor (TNF)/lymphotoxin (LT) ligand and receptor system has recently revealed essential roles for these molecules in lymphoid tissue development and organization. Lymphotoxin-αβ (LTαβ)/lymphotoxin-β receptor (LTβ-R) signaling is critical for the organogenesis of lymph nodes and Peyer’s patches and for the structural compartmentalization of the splenic white pulp into distinct B and T cell areas and marginal zones. Moreover, an essential role has been demonstrated for TNF/p55 tumor necrosis factor receptor (p55TNF-R) signaling in the formation of splenic B lymphocyte follicles, follicular dendritic cell networks, and germinal centers. In contrast to a previously described essential role for the p55TNF-R in Peyer’s patch organogenesis, we show in this report that Peyer’s patches are present in both TNF and p55TNF-R knockout mice, demonstrating that these molecules are not essential for the organogenesis of this lymphoid organ. Furt...

Isolated lymphoid follicle formation is inducible and dependent upon lymphotoxin, lymphotoxin B receptor, and TNF receptor I function

Gastroenterology, 2003

The gastrointestinal mucosa contains a complex network of lymphoid compartments that have evolved to efficiently protect the host from invading pathogens. Recently, an additional lymphoid structure resembling Peyer's patches (PP) in composition and architecture has been identified in the murine small intestine, the isolated lymphoid follicle (ILF). In this study we examine the nature and factors required for ILF formation. We observed a spectrum of structures fitting the previous descriptions of ILFs, ranging from clusters of B220(+) cells (which we have termed immature ILFs) to well-organized lymphoid nodules (which we have termed mature ILFs). Here we demonstrate that that similar to PP formation, ILF formation requires lymphotoxin (LT)- and LT beta receptor-dependent events. However unlike PP formation, the LT- and LT beta receptor-dependent events required for ILF formation can occur in adulthood and require LT-sufficient B lymphocytes. We demonstrate that mature ILF formation occurs in response to lumenal stimuli, including normal bacterial flora, and requires TNF receptor I function. These findings suggest that ILFs are organized intestinal lymphoid structures whose formation can be induced and whose mass can be expanded in response to mucosal challenges.