The vascular-associated lymphoid tissue (VALT)

Abstract

In addition to protection from pathogenic invaders by systemic innate and adaptive immune defence mechanisms, bodily surfaces enjoy a privileged position by harbouring the so-called local immune system. The local immune system provides a first wall of defence at possible entrance sites of pathogens, such as the skin and surface exposed mucosa, e.g. of the eyes, the gastrointestinal and the respiratory tract. These locations, with dense accumulation of mononuclear cells, which in most instances also contain numerous germinal centers, are designated as the mucosa-associated lymphoid system (MALT) [1, 2].