Gut-associated lymphoid tissue 2999783 221955532 2008-06-26T21:19:57Z 85.147.176.228 /* Function */ The digestive tract's immune system is often referred to as '''gut-associated lymphoid tissue (GALT)''' and works to protect the body from invasion. GALT is an example of [[mucosa-associated lymphoid tissue]]. ==Function== About 70% of the body's [[immune system]] is found in the [[digestive tract]]. The GALT is made up of several types of [[lymphatic system|lymphoid tissue]] that produce and store immune cells, such as T and B lymphocytes, that carry out attacks and defend against [[pathogens]]. New research indicates that GALT may continue to be a major site of [[HIV]] activity, even if drug treatment has reduced HIV count in the peripheral blood.{{Fact|date=February 2007}} The citations you are looking for that shows that GALT is a major site of HIV activity Viral Suppression and Immune Restoration in the Gastrointestinal Mucosa of HIV Type 1-Infected Patients Initiating Therapy during Primary or Chronic Infection Journal of Virology, August 2006, p. 8236-8247, Vol. 80, No. 16 Moraima Guadalupe,1 Sumathi Sankaran,1 Michael D. George,1 Elizabeth Reay,1 David Verhoeven,1 Barbara L. Shacklett,1 Jason Flamm,4 Jacob Wegelin,3 Thomas Prindiville,2 and Satya Dandekar and AIDS. 2003 Jan 3;17(1):53-63.Multiple measures of HIV burden in blood and tissue are correlated with each other but not with clinical parameters in aviremic subjects.Anton PA, Mitsuyasu RT, Deeks SG, Scadden DT, Wagner B, Huang C, Macken C, Richman DD, Christopherson C, Borellini F, Lazar R, Hege KM. == Components == Lymphoid tissue in the gut is comprised of the following : *[[Tonsils]] (Waldeyer's ring) *[[Adenoids]] (Pharyngeal tonsils) *[[Peyer's patches]] *Lymphoid aggregates in the [[Vermiform appendix|appendix]] and [[large intestine]] *[[Lymphoid tissue]] accumulating with age in the [[stomach]] *Small lymphoid aggregates in the [[oesophagus]] *Diffusely distributed lymphoid cells and plasma cells in the [[lamina propria]] of the gut ==Additional images== <gallery> Image:Gray617.png|Lymphatics of colon. Image:Gray1033.png|Section of the human esophagus. Image:Gray1074.png|Transverse section of human vermiform process. X 20. Image:Gray1082.png|Section of mucous membrane of human rectum. X 60. </gallery> ==External links== * {{BUHistology|12502loa}} - "Digestive System: Alimentary Canal: [[Colon (anatomy)|colon]], [[taenia coli]]" * {{BUHistology|11102loa}} - "Digestive System: Alimentary Canal: esophageal/stomach junction" {{Digestive tract}} {{Lymphatic system}} [[Category:Immune system]] [[Category:Lymphatic system]] [[de:Darmassoziiertes Immunsystem]] [[hu:Bélhez kapcsolódó limfoid szövet]]