Regional specialization within the intestinal immune system.

Allan M. Mowat, William Winston Agace

    Research output: Contribution to journalJournal articleResearchpeer-review

    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.
    Original languageEnglish
    JournalNature Reviews. Immunology
    Volume14
    Issue number10
    Pages (from-to)667-685
    Number of pages19
    ISSN1474-1733
    DOIs
    Publication statusPublished - 2014

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