Oral Cavity-Associated Immune System: What is New?

Although several excellent articles have reviewed different aspects of mucosal associated lymphoid tissues (MALT), there is not enough information about the oral cavity immune response. In this manuscript we highlight advances in the recent knowledge about this topic focusing on the anatomy/histology of the oral cavity, the associated immunological structures and the role of dendritic cells and Toll signalling, trying to envisage what happen when microorganisms or soluble antigens enter in the mouth. Oral mucosa has received attention in the last decade because it offers excellent accessibility and avoids degradation of proteins and peptides. Although the oral mucosa is continuous with the remaining gastrointestinal tract, structurally the oral mucosa has more in common with skin than with the gastrointestinal tract.