title: Structure and function of the spleen.
abstract: The spleen combines the innate and adaptive immune system in a uniquely organized way. The structure of the spleen enables it to remove older erythrocytes from the circulation and leads to the efficient removal of blood-borne microorganisms and cellular debris. This function, in combination with a highly organized lymphoid compartment, makes the spleen the most important organ for antibacterial and antifungal immune reactivity. A better understanding of the function of this complex organ has been gained from recent studies, as outlined in this Review article.
authors.affiliation: Department of Molecular Cell Biology and Immunology, Vrije Universiteit Medical Center, v.d. Boechorststraat 7, 1081 BT Amsterdam, The Netherlands. r.mebius@vumc.nl
authors.forename: Reina E
authors.initials: RE
authors.lastname: Mebius
authors.forename: Georg
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Kraal
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D006801:Humans; D007110:Immunity, Active; D007113:Immunity, Innate; D013154:Spleen / Q000033:anatomy & histology* / Q000166:cytology / Q000276:immunology*