title: The development of LTi cells.
abstract: Lymphoid tissue inducer (LTi) cells are programmed by the mammalian fetus to induce the development of lymph nodes and Peyer's patches. LTi cells share a pro-inflammatory profile with Th17 cells, as well as their requirement for the transcription factor RORγt. We discuss here the latest data on the fetal and post-natal development of LTi cells, and their relationship with the larger family of innate lymphoid cells (ILCs). We suggest that the re-programming of RORγt in a subset of common lymphoid progenitors allowed mammals to develop lymphoid organs before birth, whereas other vertebrates only develop such organs in response to infection or injury.
authors.affiliation: Institut Pasteur, Lymphoid Tissue Development Unit, Paris 75724, France.
authors.forename: Marie
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Cherrier
authors.forename: Gérard
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Eberl
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D002454:Cell Differentiation; D006801:Humans; D007113:Immunity, Innate; D008221:Lymphoid Tissue / Q000166:cytology* / Q000276:immunology*; D006377:T-Lymphocytes, Helper-Inducer / Q000166:cytology* / Q000276:immunology*; D058504:Th17 Cells / Q000276:immunology