Intestinal and pulmonary mucosal T cells: local heroes fight to maintain the status quo.
Mucosal immunity in the lung and intestine is controlled by complex multifaceted systems. While mucosal T cells are essential for protection against invading pathogens owing to their proximity to the outside world, powerful systems must also be in place to harness ongoing inflammatory processes. In each site, distinct anatomical structures play key roles in mounting and executing both protective and deleterious mucosal T cell responses. Although analogies can be drawn regarding the immune systems of these two organs, there are substantial dissimilarities necessitated by unique physiologic constraints. Here, we discuss how T cell activation and effector function are generated in the mucosae.
Lefrançois
Leo
L
Center for Integrative Immunology and Vaccine Research, Department of Immunology, University of Connecticut Health Center, Farmington, Connecticut 06030-1319, USA. llefranc@neuron.uchc.edu
Puddington
Lynn
L
D017951:Antigen Presentation; D002465:Cell Movement / Q000276:immunology; D006801:Humans; D007108:Immune Tolerance; D018928:Immunity, Mucosal; D007156:Immunologic Memory; D007413:Intestinal Mucosa / Q000166:cytology / Q000276:immunology*; D008168:Lung / Q000166:cytology / Q000276:immunology*; D008221:Lymphoid Tissue / Q000166:cytology / Q000276:immunology; D018448:Models, Immunological; D010581:Peyer's Patches / Q000166:cytology / Q000276:immunology; D013601:T-Lymphocytes / Q000276:immunology*