How do Secondary Lymphoid Organs Interact with Antigens?
Secondary lymphoid organs are designed to maximize encounters between antigens and lymphocytes. Antigens can enter lymph nodes through afferent lymphatic vessels, while blood-borne antigens are filtered by the spleen. In MALT, antigens are sampled directly from mucosal surfaces. Within these organs, dendritic cells and macrophages capture and present antigens to T and B cells, initiating specific immune responses. The organized structure of secondary lymphoid organs ensures that lymphocytes are efficiently activated and proliferated in response to antigens.
