MALT may consist of a collection of lymphoid cells, or it may include small solitary lymph nodes. Lymph nodes contain a light-staining region (germinal center) and a peripheral dark-staining region. The germinal center is key to the generation of a normal immune response. The location of MALT is key to its function. Stimulation of B cells leads to the production of immunoglobulin A (IgA) and immunoglobulin M (IgM) within the Peyer patches, preventing adherence of bacteria and viruses to the epithelium and thus blocking entry to the subepithelial layers of the intestine.