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Peyer’s patches are specialized tissue in the small intestine that identify antigens and determine whether they are harmful or not. They contain lymphoid tissue and can learn to identify new antigens. Food allergies can occur when the immune system becomes confused. Gut-associated lymphoid tissue provides a first line of immune defense.
Peyer’s patches are areas of specialized tissue in the lower area of the small intestine that work to distinguish friend from foe as food passes through the gastrointestinal tract. The sensitized cells within these areas identify the antigens and decide whether they are harmless, associated with foods the person is consuming for nutrition, or harmful and related to organisms such as bacteria that may be attempting to colonize the body. Peyer’s patches pass the word to the rest of the intestinal tract, facilitating digestion and nutrient absorption or an immune system attack on an invader.
There are 30 to 40 Peyer’s patches, all of which contain lymphoid tissue that is high in white blood cells. Other lymphoid tissue, known as gut-associated lymphoid tissue (GALT), can be found in other areas of the intestine. When people are young, these areas are very visible and easy to distinguish. As they age, they tend to fade and become less noticeable.
Peyer’s patches take the form of small, ovoid nodules that line the intestine. As the food passes, the antigens in the food are presented to the tissue and it determines whether it recognizes them and how they are classified. In addition to recognizing antigens and triggering the appropriate response, Peyer’s patches can also learn to identify new antigens, storing this information for future reference to make the immune system more effective.
Sometimes the immune system becomes confused as to the identity of the antigens it is interacting with. It may mistakenly think that an antigen such as a protein found in peanuts is actually harmful and trigger a response when this antigen is identified. The response leads to inflammation as the confused immune system attempts to neutralize what it thinks is a harmful invader. Food allergies can cause reactions ranging from mild discomfort in the gut to life-threatening shock caused by an overeager immune system.
The immune system treats the intestines as external to the body, despite being firmly and clearly positioned in the abdomen. It is considered a point of contact with the outside world because everything people eat and drink will find its way into the intestines. This creates risks, as people can consume bacteria, viruses, fungi and other harmful organisms along with the things they intend to eat. The plethora of GALTs in the gut are designed to provide a first line of immune defense to prevent harmful organisms from entering the body.
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