title: Intestinal epithelial defense systems protect against bacterial threats.
abstract: Numerous bacterial species inhabit the lumen of the human intestine. The epithelial cells that line the intestinal barrier are in direct contact with many of these species and have developed sophisticated strategies to prevent bacterial invasion of host tissue beyond simply providing a physical blockade. Intestinal epithelial cells (IECs) possess receptors that are capable of recognizing bacterial products, and engagement of these receptors results in the production and secretion of immunoregulatory proteins, such as cytokines and chemokines, which mobilize immune effector cells, including macrophages, dendritic cells, and neutrophils. In addition, IECs can produce various lipid-based eicosanoids that can contribute to the orchestration of the immune response. A better understanding of how the intestinal epithelium interacts with its microbial constituents may provide insight into strategies for treatment of enteric infections and inflammatory bowel disease.
authors.affiliation: Mucosal Immunology Laboratory, Massachusetts General Hospital, CNY, 114 16th Street (114-3503), Charlestown, MA 02129, USA.
authors.forename: Bryan P
authors.initials: BP
authors.lastname: Hurley
authors.forename: Beth A
authors.initials: BA
authors.lastname: McCormick
mesh_terms: D048868:Adaptor Proteins, Signal Transducing / Q000276:immunology; D001424:Bacterial Infections / Q000276:immunology*; D016207:Cytokines / Q000276:immunology; D015777:Eicosanoids / Q000276:immunology; D004848:Epithelium / Q000276:immunology*; D006801:Humans; D018928:Immunity, Mucosal / Q000276:immunology*; D007413:Intestinal Mucosa / Q000276:immunology* / Q000382:microbiology; D008562:Membrane Glycoproteins / Q000276:immunology; D053474:Nod1 Signaling Adaptor Protein; D011956:Receptors, Cell Surface / Q000276:immunology; D051193:Toll-Like Receptors
chemical_list: D048868:Adaptor Proteins, Signal Transducing; D016207:Cytokines; D015777:Eicosanoids; D008562:Membrane Glycoproteins; C119067:NOD1 protein, human; D053474:Nod1 Signaling Adaptor Protein; D011956:Receptors, Cell Surface; D051193:Toll-Like Receptors