Role of gut-resident dendritic cells in inflammatory bowel disease.
The gastrointestinal immune system, innate and adaptive, is continuously exposed to challenges provided by the enteric flora. In most cases, the result of mucosal immune responses is the development of tolerance. Mucosal dendritic cells initiate and regulate local immune responses. Uncontrolled local immune responses are thought to be a major factor in the development of inflammatory bowel disease, such as Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis. This review will discuss the function of dendritic cells in the recognition of the enteric flora and their role in the development of intestinal inflammation.
Niess
Jan Hendrik
JH
Department of Internal Medicine I, Ulm University, Albert-Einstein-Allee 23, 89081 Ulm, Germany. jan-hendrik.niess@uniklinik-ulm.de