Mucosa-associated lymphoid tissue and the defeat of ocular surface
Mucosa-associated lymphoid tissue (MALT) is located at mucosal surfaces of the body. It recognizes antigens, generates specific effector cells and provides the mucosal organs with such cells. A basic function of MALT is the immune regulation at mucosal surfaces by balancing between an inflammatory immune defence of pathogens and a tolerance of the ubiquitous non-pathogenic antigens. Various diseases (inflammation, dry eye, chronic allergic, injury in the transplantation of cornea) of the ocular surface include an immune mediated inflammation with production of cytokines, chemokines, adhesion molecules and action of lymphocytes. MALT plays an important role in the immune response during corneal graft rejection and is the main target of immunomodulatory therapy.