title: Pathogenesis of necrotizing enterocolitis: modeling the innate immune response.
abstract: Necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC) is a major cause of morbidity and mortality in premature infants. The pathophysiology is likely secondary to innate immune responses to intestinal microbiota by the premature infant's intestinal tract, leading to inflammation and injury. This review provides an updated summary of the components of the innate immune system involved in NEC pathogenesis. In addition, we evaluate the animal models that have been used to study NEC with regard to the involvement of innate immune factors and histopathological changes as compared to those seen in infants with NEC. Finally, we discuss new approaches to studying NEC, including mathematical models of intestinal injury and the use of humanized mice.
authors.affiliation: Department of Pediatric Surgery, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, Alabama; Department of Pathology, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, Alabama.
authors.forename: Scott M
authors.initials: SM
authors.lastname: Tanner
authors.affiliation: Department of Pediatric Surgery, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, Alabama.
authors.forename: Taylor F
authors.initials: TF
authors.lastname: Berryhill
authors.affiliation: Department of Pediatric Surgery, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, Alabama.
authors.forename: James L
authors.initials: JL
authors.lastname: Ellenburg
authors.affiliation: Division of Neonatology, Department of Pediatrics, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, Alabama.
authors.forename: Tamas
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Jilling
authors.affiliation: Department of Pediatric Pathology, Children's Hospital of Alabama, Birmingham, Alabama.
authors.forename: Dava S
authors.initials: DS
authors.lastname: Cleveland
authors.affiliation: Department of Pathology, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, Alabama. Electronic address: rlorenz@uab.edu.
authors.forename: Robin G
authors.initials: RG
authors.lastname: Lorenz
authors.affiliation: Department of Pediatric Surgery, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, Alabama. Electronic address: cmartin7@uab.edu.
authors.forename: Colin A
authors.initials: CA
authors.lastname: Martin
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D004195:Disease Models, Animal; D020345:Enterocolitis, Necrotizing / Q000276:immunology* / Q000503:physiopathology*; D006801:Humans; D007113:Immunity, Innate / Q000276:immunology*; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D007249:Inflammation / Q000276:immunology; D007422:Intestines / Q000382:microbiology; D051379:Mice; D064307:Microbiota; D008962:Models, Theoretical; D009092:Mucous Membrane / Q000276:immunology; D009336:Necrosis / Q000503:physiopathology; D019879:Paneth Cells / Q000276:immunology; D051381:Rats