title: Toll-like receptor signalling in the intestinal epithelium: how bacterial recognition shapes intestinal function.
abstract: A single layer of epithelial cells lines the small and large intestines and functions as a barrier between commensal bacteria and the rest of the body. Ligation of Toll-like receptors (TLRs) on intestinal epithelial cells by bacterial products promotes epithelial cell proliferation, secretion of IgA into the gut lumen and expression of antimicrobial peptides. As described in this Review, this establishes a microorganism-induced programme of epithelial cell homeostasis and repair in the intestine. Dysregulation of this process can result in chronic inflammatory and over-exuberant repair responses, and it is associated with the development of colon cancer. Thus, dysregulated TLR signalling by intestinal epithelial cells may explain how colonic bacteria and inflammation promote colorectal cancer.
authors.affiliation: Division of Gastroenterology, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, P.O. Box 016960 (D-49), Miami, Florida 33101, USA. MAbreu1@med.miami.edu
authors.forename: Maria T
authors.initials: MT
authors.lastname: Abreu
mesh_terms: D048868:Adaptor Proteins, Signal Transducing / Q000378:metabolism; D000818:Animals; D023181:Antimicrobial Cationic Peptides / Q000096:biosynthesis; D001419:Bacteria / Q000276:immunology*; D049109:Cell Proliferation; D003106:Colon / Q000276:immunology / Q000382:microbiology; D015179:Colorectal Neoplasms / Q000276:immunology / Q000382:microbiology; D006706:Homeostasis; D006801:Humans; D007413:Intestinal Mucosa / Q000276:immunology* / Q000382:microbiology*; D015398:Signal Transduction / Q000276:immunology; D051193:Toll-Like Receptors / Q000096:biosynthesis / Q000276:immunology*
chemical_list: D048868:Adaptor Proteins, Signal Transducing; D023181:Antimicrobial Cationic Peptides; D051193:Toll-Like Receptors