Intestinal T cells: facing the mucosal immune dilemma with synergy and diversity.
The epithelium of the gastrointestinal tract, which represents the greatest body surface area exposed to the outside environment, is confronted with a plethora of foreign and potentially harmful antigens. Consequently, the immune system of the gut faces the daunting task of distinguishing harmless dietary proteins and commensal bacteria from potentially dangerous pathogens, and of then responding accordingly. Mucosal T cells play a central role in maintaining barrier function and controlling the delicate balance between immune activation and immune tolerance. This review will focus on the unique features of mucosal T cell subsets that reside in the epithelium and lamina propria of the gut.
van Wijk
Femke
F
Division of Developmental Immunology, La Jolla Institute for Allergy and Immunology, 9420 Athena Circle, La Jolla, CA 92037, USA.
Cheroutre
Hilde
H
D000818:Animals; D017951:Antigen Presentation; D015415:Biomarkers / Q000378:metabolism; D016827:CD8 Antigens / Q000378:metabolism; D006801:Humans; D007108:Immune Tolerance; D007111:Immunity, Cellular; D018928:Immunity, Mucosal; D007413:Intestinal Mucosa / Q000276:immunology* / Q000473:pathology; D007422:Intestines / Q000276:immunology*; D008213:Lymphocyte Activation; D051379:Mice; D009092:Mucous Membrane / Q000276:immunology / Q000473:pathology; D016176:T-Lymphocyte Subsets / Q000276:immunology* / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000473:pathology; D050378:T-Lymphocytes, Regulatory / Q000276:immunology* / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000473:pathology
D015415:Biomarkers; D016827:CD8 Antigens; C409469:CD8 antigen, alpha chain