mucosa-associated lymphoid tissue


mucosa-associated lymphoid tissue (MALT),

a class of lymphoid tissue comprising nodular aggregates found in association with the wet mucosal surfaces of the body such as those of the respiratory, digestive, and urinary systems.

MALT

Mucosa-associated lymphoid tissue. An umbrella term for extranodal aggregates of lymphoid tissue in the bronchus (BALT), gut (GALT) and skin (SALT), as well as breast and uterine cervix. MALT is the arm of the immune defence in closest contact with exogenous antigens, thus differing from the compartmentalised peripheral somatic lymphoid tissues, which include the lymph nodes, thymus and spleen. Dimeric IgA or “secretory” IgA appears to be under MALT’s control, and MALT may be the sites of origin of extranodal lymphomas.

mu·co·sa-as·so·ci·a·ted lym·phoid tis·sue

(MALT) (myū-kō'să-ă-sō'sē-ā-tĕd lim'foyd tish'ū) A class of lymphoid tissue comprising nodular aggregates found in association with the wet mucosal surfaces of the body such as those of the respiratory, digestive, and urinary systems.

mucosa-associated lymphoid tissue

Abbreviation: MALT
Aggregates of T and B lymphocytes found in all mucous membranes, a line of defense against infection. Examples include Peyer's patches in the small intestine and lymph nodules in the colon, trachea, and bronchi. MALT contains CD4+ and CD8+ T cells and activated B cells and may occasionally undergo malignant transformation into lymphomas. See: mucosal immune systemSee also: tissue