title: Enteric pathogens and gut function: Role of cytokines and STATs.
abstract: The gut harbors the largest immune system in the body. The mucosa is considered to be the initial site of interaction with commensal and pathogenic organisms; therefore, it is the first line of defense against the pathogens. In response to the invasion of various pathogens, naïve CD4(+) cells differentiate into subsets of T helper (Th) cells that are characterized by different cytokine profiles. Cytokines bind to cell surface receptors on both immune and non-immune cells leading to activation of JAK-STAT signaling pathway and influence gut function by upregulating the expression of specific target genes. This review considers the roles of cytokines and receptor-mediated activation of STATs on pathogen-induced changes in gut function. The focus on STAT4 and STAT6 is because of their requirement for the full development of Th1 and Th2 cytokine profiles.
authors.affiliation: Department of Medicine; University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD USA.
authors.forename: Terez
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Shea-Donohue
authors.forename: Alessio
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Fasano
authors.forename: Allen
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Smith
authors.forename: Aiping
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Zhao