fig2

Figure 2. Mechanisms of formation and maturation of TLS in CRC. This diagram illustrates the cellular interactions, chemokine cascades (CXCL13, CCL19, CCL21), and TNF superfamily signaling pathways that drive the progressive development from early lymphocytic aggregates to mature SFL-TLS. Copyright permission link: https://BioRender.com/omsjn1g. TLS: Tertiary lymphoid structure; CRC: colorectal cancer; CXCL/CCL: CXC/CC chemokine ligand; TNF: tumor necrosis factor; SFL-TLS: secondary follicle-like tertiary lymphoid structure; DC: dendritic cell; ICAM-1: intercellular adhesion molecule 1; CD: cluster of differentiation; CD40L: CD40 ligand; IL: interleukin; CXCR: CXC chemokine receptor; LTi: lymphoid-tissue inducer cell; LTo: lymphoid-tissue organizer cell; HEVs: high endothelial venules.