Functional specialization of antigen presenting cells in the gastrointestinal tract.
Recent advances have highlighted that antigen presentation in the gastrointestinal tract is carried out by different specialized immune and non-immune cells. This is required in order to achieve tolerance towards self and non-self harmless antigens and immunity towards pathogenic microorganisms. In this review we will discuss the role of different players in these responses, including dendritic cells, macrophages, B cells and basophils as professional antigen presenting cells (APCs), and stromal cells and epithelial cells as non-professional APCs. The interaction between these cell types is required for the dynamic regulation of the immune response.
Rescigno
Maria
M
European Institute of Oncology, Department of Experimental Oncology, via Adamello 16, 20139 Milan, Italy. maria.rescigno@ifom-ieo-campus.it
D000818:Animals; D000938:Antigen-Presenting Cells / Q000276:immunology*; D041981:Gastrointestinal Tract / Q000276:immunology*; D006801:Humans; D007108:Immune Tolerance; D007249:Inflammation / Q000276:immunology; D013601:T-Lymphocytes / Q000276:immunology