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IL-17, a new kid on the block of tertiary lymphoid organs

Cellular & Molecular Immunology volume 9, pages 3–4 (2012)Cite this article

Tertiary lymphoid organs (TLOs) are structures that resemble lymph nodes that can be found in chronically inflamed tissues in a number of inflammatory conditions. TLOs can host ongoing immune responses that can potentially contribute to disease pathogenesis. The development of TLOs has been thought in large part to recapitulate the development of secondary lymphoid organs, but the regulation of TLO development has not been well understood. In a recent article in Nature Immunology, Troy Randall and colleagues1 identify IL-17, a cytokine that contributes to the pathogenesis of a number of inflammatory diseases, as a novel critical player in TLO formation in inflamed lungs.

TLOs can be found in the joints of patients with rheumatoid arthritis, in the inflamed salivary glands of patients with Sjogren's syndrome, in the meninges of patients with multiple sclerosis, and in the lungs of patients with pulmonary inflammation or infection. In the lungs, induced bronchus-associated lymphoid tissues (iBALTs) are TLOs that are located along the small airways. They have distinct T- and B-cell zones. They also have other lymph node-like structures, including the following: follicular dendritic cells, which display antigen to B cells; high endothelial venules, which traffic lymphocytes and other immune cells from the bloodstream into the TLO; and lymphatics, which transport tissue dendritic cells into the TLO. Functionally, TLOs are sites of immune activity, containing germinal centers, plasma cells and effector T cells, and iBALTs may act as a reservoir for T and B cells that respond rapidly to secondary challenges.2 Understanding the regulation of iBALT formation, therefore, may lead to new therapeutic avenues for the control of pulmonary infection and inflammation.

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References

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Autoimmunity and Inflammation Program and Pediatric Rheumatology, Hospital for Special Surgery, New York, NY, USA

    Theresa T Lu

  2. Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Weill Cornell Medical College, New York, NY, USA

    Theresa T Lu, Hajeong Kim & Xiaojing Ma

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  1. Theresa T Lu
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  2. Hajeong Kim
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  3. Xiaojing Ma
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Correspondence to Theresa T Lu or Xiaojing Ma.

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Lu, T., Kim, H. & Ma, X. IL-17, a new kid on the block of tertiary lymphoid organs. Cell Mol Immunol 9, 3–4 (2012). https://doi.org/10.1038/cmi.2011.34

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