title: Pathogenesis of NEC: Role of the innate and adaptive immune response.
abstract: Necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC) is a devastating disease in premature infants with high case fatality and significant morbidity among survivors. Immaturity of intestinal host defenses predisposes the premature infant gut to injury. An abnormal bacterial colonization pattern with a deficiency of commensal bacteria may lead to a further breakdown of these host defense mechanisms, predisposing the infant to NEC. Here, we review the role of the innate and adaptive immune system in the pathophysiology of NEC.
authors.affiliation: Institute for Biomedical Sciences, Georgia State University, Atlanta, GA.
authors.forename: Timothy L
authors.initials: TL
authors.lastname: Denning
authors.affiliation: Department of Surgery, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA.
authors.forename: Amina M
authors.initials: AM
authors.lastname: Bhatia
authors.affiliation: Division of Neonatal-Perinatal Medicine, Department of Pediatrics, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA.
authors.forename: Andrea F
authors.initials: AF
authors.lastname: Kane
authors.affiliation: Division of Neonatal-Perinatal Medicine, Department of Pediatrics, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA.
authors.forename: Ravi M
authors.initials: RM
authors.lastname: Patel
authors.affiliation: Division of Neonatal-Perinatal Medicine, Department of Pediatrics, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA. Electronic address: pllin@emory.edu.
authors.forename: Patricia W
authors.initials: PW
authors.lastname: Denning
mesh_terms: D056704:Adaptive Immunity; D020345:Enterocolitis, Necrotizing / Q000276:immunology* / Q000382:microbiology / Q000503:physiopathology*; D019317:Evidence-Based Medicine; D006801:Humans; D007113:Immunity, Innate; D007234:Infant, Premature; D007235:Infant, Premature, Diseases / Q000276:immunology* / Q000382:microbiology / Q000503:physiopathology*; D007413:Intestinal Mucosa / Q000276:immunology / Q000382:microbiology / Q000503:physiopathology; D007422:Intestines / Q000098:blood supply / Q000276:immunology / Q000503:physiopathology; D008895:Milk, Human / Q000276:immunology
keywords: Necrotizing enterocolitis; adaptive intestinal immunity; innate intestinal immunity; pathogenesis