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Review
. 2024 Jul;324(1):68-77.
doi: 10.1111/imr.13337. Epub 2024 Apr 25.

Development and organization of omental milky spots

Yasutaka Okabe  1   2
Affiliations
Review

Development and organization of omental milky spots

Yasutaka Okabe. Immunol Rev. 2024 Jul.

Abstract

The milky spots in omentum are atypical lymphoid tissues that play a pivotal role in regulating immune responses in the peritoneal cavity. The milky spots act as central hubs for collecting antigens and particles from the peritoneal cavity, regulating lymphocyte trafficking, promoting the differentiation and self-renewal of immune cells, and supporting the local germinal centre response. In addition, the milky spots exhibit unique developmental characteristics that combine the features of secondary and tertiary lymphoid tissues. These structures are innately programmed to form during foetal development; however, they can also be formed postnatally in response to peritoneal irritation such as inflammation, infection, obesity, or tumour metastasis. In this review, I discuss emerging perspectives on homeostatic development and organization of the milky spots.

Keywords: macrophage; milky spot; omentum; retinoic acid.

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References

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