The functions of mucosal T cells in containing the indigenous commensal flora of the intestine.
There is an immense load of non-pathogenic commensal bacteria in the distal small intestine and the colon of mammals. The physical barrier that prevents penetration (translocation) of these organisms into the body is a simple epithelium comprised of the single enterocyte/colonocyte cell layer with its overlying mucus. In this review, we discuss the roles of intestinal T cells in initiating and regulating innate and adaptive mucosal immune responses of the mucosal immune system that avoid or limit penetration of the commensal intestinal bacteria.
Macpherson
A J
AJ
Institute of Experimental Immunology, Universitätsspital, Schmelzbergstrasse 12, 8091 Zürich, Switzerland. amacpher@pathol.uniz.ch
Martinic
M M
MM
Harris
N
N
D000818:Animals; D001402:B-Lymphocytes / Q000276:immunology; D018407:Bacterial Physiological Phenomena; D018988:Bacterial Translocation; D004847:Epithelial Cells / Q000276:immunology / Q000378:metabolism; D006801:Humans; D018928:Immunity, Mucosal; D007413:Intestinal Mucosa / Q000166:cytology / Q000276:immunology* / Q000378:metabolism / Q000382:microbiology*; D008213:Lymphocyte Activation; D013601:T-Lymphocytes / Q000276:immunology*