The secondary lymphoid tissues are located at strategic sites where foreign antigens can be efficiently brought together with immune system regulatory and effector cells. The organized structure of the secondary lymphoid tissues is thought to enhance the sensitivity of antigen recognition and to support proper regulation of the activation and maturation of the antigen-responsive lymphoid cells. Although a substantial amount is known about the cellular elements that compose the lymphoid and nonlymphoid components of the secondary lymphoid tissues, information concerning the signals that control the development of the tissues and that maintain the organized tissue microenvironment remain undefined. Studies over the past few years have identified lymphotoxin as a critical signaling molecule not only for the organogenesis of secondary lymphoid tissues but for the maintenance of aspects of their microarchitecture as well. Additional signaling molecules that contribute to the formation of normal lymphoid tissue structure are being identified at an accelerating pace. Analyses of mouse strains with congenital defects in different aspects of secondary lymphoid tissue development are beginning to clarify the role of these tissues in immune responses and host defense. This review focuses on studies defining recently identified crucial signals for the biogenesis of secondary lymphoid organs and for the maintenance of their proper microarchitecture. It also discusses new insights into how the structure of these tissues supports effective immune responses.

中文翻译：

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次级淋巴组织的发育和成熟。

次要淋巴组织位于重要部位，在那里外源抗原可与免疫系统调节和效应细胞有效结合在一起。次级淋巴组织的组织结构被认为增强了抗原识别的敏感性，并支持了对抗原反应性淋巴样细胞的激活和成熟的适当调节。尽管对于组成次级淋巴组织的淋巴和非淋巴成分的细胞成分了解很多，但是关于控制组织发育并维持组织微环境的信号的信息仍然不确定。过去几年的研究已将淋巴毒素不仅是继发性淋巴组织的器官发生，而且还用于维持其微结构的各个方面，是一种至关重要的信号分子。促进正常淋巴组织结构形成的其他信号分子正在加速发展。在继发性淋巴组织发育的不同方面具有先天性缺陷的小鼠品系的分析开始阐明这些组织在免疫反应和宿主防御中的作用。这篇综述着重于研究，这些研究定义了最近发现的对于继发性淋巴器官的生物发生及其维持适当的微结构至关重要的信号。