Dendritic cells and the intestinal bacterial flora: a role for localized mucosal immune responses

Uhlig, Holm H.
Powrie, Fiona

Sir William Dunn School of Pathology, University of Oxford, Oxford, United Kingdom

Address correspondence to: F. Powrie, Sir William Dunn School of Pathology, University of Oxford, South Parks Road, Oxford OX1 3RE, United Kingdom. Phone: 44-1865-285494; Fax: 44-1865-275591; E-mail: [email protected].

Conflict of interest: The authors have declared that no conflict of interest exists.

Nonstandard abbreviations used: gastrointestinal tract (GIT); inflammatory bowel disease (IBD); nucleotide-binding oligomerization domain 2 (NOD2).

Journal of Clinical Investigation 112(5):p 648-651, September 2003.

Mammals coexist in an overall symbiotic relationship with a complex array of commensal bacterial flora that colonizes the gastrointestinal tract. These intestinal bacteria interface with cells of the mucosal immune system, including DCs (see the related article beginning on page 693). Here we discuss mechanisms of interaction between intestinal bacteria and DCs and the role of localized gastrointestinal immune responses.