title: The intestinal epithelial cell: processing and presentation of antigen to the mucosal immune system.
abstract: The immunologic tone of the intestinal tract is one of suppressed or highly regulated responses. While there are several components (intrinsic and extrinsic to the gut-associated lymphoid tissue) responsible for this immunologically suppressed tone, the intestinal epithelial call (IEC) has been proposed as a key player in this process. IECs can take up and process antigen but distinct surface molecules and restriction elements allow them to present these antigens to unique regulatory T cells. These include the expression of the class Ib molecule CD1d as well as a novel CD8 ligand, gp180. These molecules come together to activate a subpopulation of CD8+ regulatory cells whose function is to suppress immune responses in an antigen non-specific fashion most likely through cognate interactions. This form of regulation may be unique to the gut-associated lymphoid tissue which is consistent with the unusual demands upon this part of the immune system.
authors.affiliation: Mount Sinai Medical Center, Immunobiology Center, New York, New York 10029, USA.
authors.forename: N
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Campbell
authors.forename: X Y
authors.initials: XY
authors.lastname: Yio
authors.forename: L P
authors.initials: LP
authors.lastname: So
authors.forename: Y
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Li
authors.forename: L
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Mayer
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D017951:Antigen Presentation; D018949:Antigens, CD1 / Q000378:metabolism; D055610:Antigens, CD1d; D018414:CD8-Positive T-Lymphocytes / Q000276:immunology; D004847:Epithelial Cells / Q000276:immunology; D000949:Histocompatibility Antigens Class II / Q000378:metabolism; D006801:Humans; D018928:Immunity, Mucosal; D007413:Intestinal Mucosa / Q000276:immunology*; D008213:Lymphocyte Activation
chemical_list: D018949:Antigens, CD1; D055610:Antigens, CD1d; C526877:CD1D protein, human; D000949:Histocompatibility Antigens Class II