title: Microbiotal influence on T cell subset development.
abstract: The mammalian alimentary tract harbors hundreds of bacterial species that constitute the indigenous microbial flora. The indigenous microbial flora has long been appreciated for its role in host immune system development. Recent reports suggest that components of the microbial flora differentially affect the proportion and number of functionally distinct subsets of T cells in the intestine. Substantial changes in the composition of the microbiota are associated with inflammatory bowel disease. This review will discuss the importance of individual species of microbial flora in the induction of T cell subsets, particularly Th17 cells and regulatory T (Treg) cells in the intestine.
authors.affiliation: Department of Immunology, Graduate School of Medicine, The University of Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan.
authors.forename: Koji
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Atarashi
authors.forename: Yoshinori
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Umesaki
authors.forename: Kenya
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Honda
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D002454:Cell Differentiation; D006801:Humans; D007422:Intestines / Q000166:cytology / Q000276:immunology; D016692:Receptors, Antigen, T-Cell, gamma-delta / Q000276:immunology; D016176:T-Lymphocyte Subsets / Q000166:cytology / Q000276:immunology* / Q000382:microbiology*; D058504:Th17 Cells / Q000166:cytology / Q000276:immunology
chemical_list: D016692:Receptors, Antigen, T-Cell, gamma-delta