Intestinal epithelial cells as watchdogs for the natural immune system.
Intestinal epithelial cells secrete a spectrum of chemoattractant and proinflammatory cytokines after invasion by bacteria. We suggest the novel concept that epithelial cells not only act as a mechanical barrier to invasive bacteria, but that they also signal the presence of invasive pathogens to the mucosal immune and inflammatory cells.
Eckmann
L
L
Dept of Medicine, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla 92093, USA.
Kagnoff
M F
MF
Fierer
J
J
D000818:Animals; D001424:Bacterial Infections / Q000276:immunology*; D016207:Cytokines / Q000378:metabolism; D004847:Epithelial Cells; D004848:Epithelium / Q000276:immunology; D007107:Immune System / Q000276:immunology*; D007422:Intestines / Q000166:cytology / Q000276:immunology*; D014551:Urinary Tract / Q000166:cytology / Q000276:immunology*
D016207:Cytokines