[Lymphatic tissue of the nose (NALT) and larynx (LALT) in species comparison: human, rat, mouse].
Nose- and larynx associated lymphatic tissues (NALT and LALT) vary markedly between humans, rats and mice. NALT of rats and mice is formed by paired lymphoid aggregates in the nasal cavity, while it consists of individual mucosa associated lymphoid follicles throughout the nose in humans. In addition to NALT, tonsils are present in humans, but not in rats and mice. In the larynx, LALT can be found in humans, but not in rats. Size and functionality of NALT, tonsils and LALT vary with age. The extrapolation of data obtained from rodents to humans should be carefully evaluated due to these differences. The term common mucosal immune system should replaced by the term "integrated" MALT and the immunological differences between respiratory and digestive tract should always be considered.
Pabst
R
R
Institut für Immunmorphologie, Medizinische Hochschule Hannover, Hannover. pabst.reinhard@mh-hannover.de
D000818:Animals; D006801:Humans; D007111:Immunity, Cellular / Q000276:immunology; D007820:Laryngeal Mucosa / Q000033:anatomy & histology* / Q000276:immunology; D007830:Larynx / Q000033:anatomy & histology* / Q000276:immunology; D008221:Lymphoid Tissue / Q000033:anatomy & histology* / Q000276:immunology; D051379:Mice; D009297:Nasal Mucosa / Q000033:anatomy & histology* / Q000276:immunology; D009666:Nose / Q000033:anatomy & histology* / Q000276:immunology; D014066:Palatine Tonsil / Q000033:anatomy & histology / Q000276:immunology; D051381:Rats; D013045:Species Specificity; D009626:Terminology as Topic