title: Neonatal mucosal immunology.
abstract: Although largely deprived from exogenous stimuli in utero, the mucosal barriers of the neonate after birth are bombarded by environmental, nutritional, and microbial exposures. The microbiome is established concurrently with the developing immune system. The nature and timing of discrete interactions between these two factors underpins the long-term immune characteristics of these organs, and can set an individual on a trajectory towards or away from disease. Microbial exposures in the gastrointestinal and respiratory tracts are some of the key determinants of the overall immune tone at these mucosal barriers and represent a leading target for future intervention strategies. In this review, we discuss immune maturation in the gut and lung and how microbes have a central role in this process.
authors.affiliation: Institute of Medical Microbiology, RWTH University Hospital Aachen, Aachen, Germany.
authors.forename: N
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Torow
authors.affiliation: Faculty of Biology and Medicine, University of Lausanne, Service de Pneumologie, Epalinges, Switzerland.
authors.forename: B J
authors.initials: BJ
authors.lastname: Marsland
authors.affiliation: Institute of Medical Microbiology, RWTH University Hospital Aachen, Aachen, Germany.
authors.forename: M W
authors.initials: MW
authors.lastname: Hornef
authors.affiliation: Faculty of Biology and Medicine, University of Lausanne, Service de Pneumologie, Epalinges, Switzerland.
authors.forename: E S
authors.initials: ES
authors.lastname: Gollwitzer
mesh_terms: D000486:Allergy and Immunology; D000818:Animals; D002454:Cell Differentiation; D004781:Environmental Exposure / Q000009:adverse effects; D054884:Host-Pathogen Interactions; D006801:Humans; D007107:Immune System; D018928:Immunity, Mucosal; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D007422:Intestines / Q000276:immunology* / Q000382:microbiology; D064307:Microbiota / Q000276:immunology*; D012137:Respiratory System / Q000276:immunology* / Q000382:microbiology