Lymphatic pathways in antiviral immunity: from virion transport to host defense
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Updated: Oct 31, 2026

Dissecting Host-virus Interaction in Lytic Replication of a Model Herpesvirus
Published on: October 7, 2011
Anurag Kalia1, Heather D Hickman1
1Laboratory of Viral Diseases, Viral Immunity and Pathogenesis Section, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, United States.
Abstract:
The lymphatic system is essential for the development of innate and adaptive immune responses to pathogens, including during viral infection and vaccination. Functioning as an integrated network composed of lymphatic vessels, lymphoid organs, and fluid, it serves as a central hub for viral entry, recognition, trafficking, replication, dissemination, and eventual clearance. While the lymphatic system's role in shaping the host immune responses is well-established, its specific involvement in viral movement and infection is only beginning to emerge in detail. This review explores the lymphatic system's contribution to antiviral defense, with emphasis on direct interactions with virions. We highlight mechanisms of viral recognition, the role of the lymphatic system in viral transport, and the known ways in which the lymphatic microenvironment shapes the quality and strength of adaptive immunity. Together, these perspectives frame the lymphatic system not as a passive transport network but as an active and underappreciated determinant of antiviral protection.
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