Lymphatic pathways in antiviral immunity: from virion transport to host defense

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.