Λεξικό .. BALT (Bronchus-associated lymphoid tissue)

BALT (Bronchus-associated lymphoid tissue)

The term BALT proposed by Bienenstock and describes an organized lymphoid tissue located in the submucosa of large airways, analogous to Peyer's patches. BALT contains a meshwork of T and B cells (mainly immunoglobulin A [(IgA)-committed B cells)] and is covered by a flattened epithelium, which is thought to facilitate transport and processing of antigen from the airway lumen. BALT has been reported to be hyperplastic and to occur along the entire bronchial tree in patients with chronic respiratory infections, but seems to be absent in normal human lung.

References

Pabst, R., and Genrke, I.: Is the bronchus-associated lymphoid tissue (BALT) an integral structure of the lung in normal mammals, including human? Am. J. Resp. cell Mol. Biol.1990: 3, 131-5.