Lymphotoxin is a member of the
tumor necrosis factor (TNF) superfamily of cytokines, whose members are responsible for regulating the growth and function of
lymphocyte
A lymphocyte is a type of white blood cell (leukocyte) in the immune system of most vertebrates. Lymphocytes include natural killer cells (which function in cell-mediated, cytotoxic innate immunity), T cells (for cell-mediated, cytotoxic ad ...
s and are expressed by a wide variety of cells in the body.
Lymphotoxin plays a critical role in developing and preserving the framework of
lymphoid organs
The lymphatic system, or lymphoid system, is an organ system in vertebrates that is part of the immune system, and complementary to the circulatory system. It consists of a large network of lymphatic vessels, lymph nodes, lymphatic or lymphoid o ...
and of gastrointestinal immune responses, as well as in the activation signaling of both the