ROLE OF LYMPHOTOXIN AND THE TYPE-I TNF RECEPTOR IN THE FORMATION OF GERMINAL CENTERS

In mice deficient in either lymphotoxin-alpha (LT-alpha) or the type I tumor necrosis factor (TNF) receptor, but not the type II TNF recepto r, germinal centers failed to develop in peripheral lymphoid organs. G erminal center formation was restored in LT-alpha-deficient mice by tr ansplantation of normal bone marrow, indicating that the LT-alpha-expr essing cells required to establish this lymphoid structure are derived from bone marrow.