The Journal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology
Volume 121, Issue 2, Supplement 2 , Pages S380-S383, February 2008

4. Gastrointestinal mucosal immunity

  • Barry K. Wershil, MD

      Affiliations

    • Albert Einstein College of Medicine, the Division of Pediatric Gastroenterology and Nutrition, the Children's Hospital at Montefiore, Bronx, NY
    • ,
  • Glenn T. Furuta, MD

      Affiliations

    • University of Colorado School of Medicine, Denver, and the Section of Pediatric Gastroenterology, The Children's Hospital, Denver, Colo
    • Corresponding Author InformationReprint requests: Glenn T. Furuta, MD, Pediatrics Gastroenterology, The Children's Hospital, Denver, 13123 East Colfax Ave B290, Aurora, CO 80045.

Received 3 September 2007; received in revised form 9 October 2007; accepted 17 October 2007.

This activity is available for CME credit. See page 5A for important information.

Mucosal surfaces constitute a large host-environmental interface that must be protected from pathogenic organisms. The mucosal immune system has evolved as a distinct immune organ functioning independently from its systemic counterpart. The mucosal immune system has the difficult task of mounting protective responses to invading microorganisms while maintaining a state of nonresponsiveness to commensal bacteria and food antigens. The system has unique cellular components and functional aspects that permit it to carry out this dual role.

Key words: Mucosal immunity, oral tolerance

Abbreviations used: DC, Dendritic cell, FAE, Follicle-associated epithelium, GALT, Gut-associated lymphoid tissues, IEL, Intraepithelial lymphocyte, LP, Lamina propria, MLN, Mesenteric lymph node, PP, Peyer's patch, SED, Subepithelial dome, TCR, T-cell receptor

 

 Disclosure of potential conflict of interest: B. K. Wershil has consulting arrangements with Ception Pharmaceuticals, AstraZeneca, and the National Institutes of Health and is on the speakers' bureau for Shire. G. T. Furuta has consulting arrangements with Ception Therapeutics and is on the speakers' bureau for TAP Pharmaceutical.

PII: S0091-6749(07)01973-2

doi:10.1016/j.jaci.2007.10.023

The Journal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology
Volume 121, Issue 2, Supplement 2 , Pages S380-S383, February 2008

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