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Mucosa-associated lymphoid tissue
The mucosa -associated lymphoid tissuemucosa -associated lymphatic tissue) is the diffuse system of small concentrations of lymphoid tissue found in various sites of the body such as the gastrointestinal tract , thyroid , breast , lung , salivary glands , eye , and skin .
Populated by T cells, which are well-situated to encounter antigens that enter through the intestinal mucous epithelium. Contain B cells, plasma cells, activated TH cells and macrophages in loose clusters.
Components The components of MALT are sometimes subdivided into the following:
GALT (gut-associated lymphoid tissue . Peyer's patches are a component of GALT found in the lining of the small intestines .)BALT (bronchus-associated lymphoid tissue)NALT (nose-associated lymphoid tissue)LALT (larynx-associated lymphoid tissue)SALT (skin-associated lymphoid tissue)VALT (vascular-associated lymphoid tissue. A newly recognized entity that exists inside arteries; its role in the immune response is unknown. )CALT (conjunctiva-associated lymphoid tissue in the human eye)
Role in disease MALT plays a role in regulating mucosal immunity . It may be the site of lymphoma , usually non-Hodgkin lymphoma . A specific entity is the MALT lymphoma linked to Helicobacter pylori stomach .
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