Loss of caspase-8 in macrophages dictates the response to TLR activation, as injection of TLR ligands upregulates expression of costimulatory CD86 on the Ly6ChighCD11b+F4/80+ splenic cells, and oral antibiotic treatment to remove microbiota prevents splenomegaly and lymphadenopathy in CreLysMCasp8fl/fl mice. This evidence concerns the gene CASP8 and Splenomegaly.