Intestinal flora and mucosal immune responses.
The normal intestinal flora and the mucosal immune system exist in close spatial proximity. A normal structure and function of both very complex systems is required for health and develops in a constant and interactive process. An abnormal host response to the normal intestinal flora leads to chronic intestinal inflammation. Probiotic bacteria may modulate the intestinal flora and the mucosal immune response and are an effective therapy for remission maintenance of ulcerative colitis and pouchitis.
Heller
Frank
F
Medizinische Klinik I, Universitätsklinikum Benjamin Franklin, FU-Berlin, Hindenburgdamm 30, D-12200 Berlin, Germany.
Duchmann
Rainer
R
D000818:Animals; D001419:Bacteria / Q000254:growth & development / Q000276:immunology*; D004195:Disease Models, Animal; D006801:Humans; D018928:Immunity, Mucosal; D015212:Inflammatory Bowel Diseases / Q000276:immunology / Q000382:microbiology; D007422:Intestines / Q000382:microbiology*; D051379:Mice; D008809:Mice, Inbred C3H; D008822:Mice, Transgenic; D019936:Probiotics / Q000627:therapeutic use; D051381:Rats