title: Regional specialization within the intestinal immune system.
abstract: The intestine represents the largest compartment of the immune system. It is continually exposed to antigens and immunomodulatory agents from the diet and the commensal microbiota, and it is the port of entry for many clinically important pathogens. Intestinal immune processes are also increasingly implicated in controlling disease development elsewhere in the body. In this Review, we detail the anatomical and physiological distinctions that are observed in the small and large intestines, and we suggest how these may account for the diversity in the immune apparatus that is seen throughout the intestine. We describe how the distribution of innate, adaptive and innate-like immune cells varies in different segments of the intestine and discuss the environmental factors that may influence this. Finally, we consider the implications of regional immune specialization for inflammatory disease in the intestine.
authors.affiliation: Centre for Immunobiology, Institute of Infection, Immunity and Inflammation, University of Glasgow, Sir Graeme Davies Building, 120 University Avenue, Glasgow G12 8TA, Scotland, UK.
authors.forename: Allan M
authors.initials: AM
authors.lastname: Mowat
authors.affiliation: 1] Immunology Section, Department of Experimental Medical Science, Lund University, BMC D14, Sölvegatan 19, S-221 84 Lund, Sweden. [2] Section of Immunology and Vaccinology, Danish Technical University Veterinary Institute, Bülowsvej 27, DK-1870 Copenhagen, Denmark.
authors.forename: William W
authors.initials: WW
authors.lastname: Agace
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D001419:Bacteria / Q000276:immunology; D006801:Humans; D018928:Immunity, Mucosal / Q000276:immunology*; D007413:Intestinal Mucosa / Q000166:cytology / Q000276:immunology* / Q000382:microbiology; D007422:Intestines / Q000166:cytology / Q000276:immunology* / Q000382:microbiology; D008214:Lymphocytes / Q000166:cytology / Q000276:immunology* / Q000378:metabolism; D064307:Microbiota / Q000276:immunology; D018448:Models, Immunological