title: Connexins in respiratory and gastrointestinal mucosal immunity.
abstract: The mucosal lining forms the physical and chemical barrier that protects against pathogens and hostile particles and harbors its own population of bacteria, fungi and archea, known as the microbiota. The immune system controls tolerance of this population of microorganisms that have proven to be beneficial for its host. Keeping its physical integrity and a correct balance with the microbiota, the mucosa preserves its homeostasis and its protective function and maintains host's health. However, in some conditions, pathogens may succeed in breaching mucosal homeostasis and successfully infecting the host. In this review we will discuss the role the mucosa plays in the defense against bacterial pathogens by considering the gap junction protein connexins. We will detail their implication in mucosal homeostasis and upon infection with bacteria in the respiratory and the gastrointestinal tracts.
authors.affiliation: Geneva University Hospitals and University of Geneva, Geneva, Switzerland.
authors.forename: Joanna
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Bou Saab
authors.affiliation: Geneva University Hospitals and University of Geneva, Geneva, Switzerland.
authors.forename: Davide
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Losa
authors.affiliation: Geneva University Hospitals and University of Geneva, Geneva, Switzerland. Electronic address: marc.chanson@hcuge.ch.
authors.forename: Marc
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Chanson
authors.affiliation: Geneva University Hospitals and University of Geneva, Geneva, Switzerland.
authors.forename: Richard
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Ruez
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D017630:Connexins / Q000235:genetics / Q000276:immunology* / Q000378:metabolism; D006801:Humans; D007113:Immunity, Innate; D007413:Intestinal Mucosa / Q000276:immunology* / Q000382:microbiology; D020545:Respiratory Mucosa / Q000276:immunology* / Q000382:microbiology
chemical_list: D017630:Connexins
keywords: Connexin; Gut; Host–pathogen interaction; Innate immunity; Lung; Pannexin