Mucosal immunology

Mucosal immunology is the study of immune system responses that occur at mucosal membranes of the intestines, the urogenital tract and the respiratory system, i.e., surfaces that are in contact with the external environment.[1] In healthy states, the mucosal immune system provides protection against pathogens but maintains a tolerance towards non-harmful commensal microbes and benign environmental substances.[1] For example, in the oral and gut mucosa, the secretion of IgA provides an immune response to potential antigens in food without a large and unnecessary systemic immune response.[2] Since the mucosal membranes are the primary contact point between a host and its environment, a large amount of secondary lymphoid tissue is found here. The mucosa-associated lymphoid tissue, or MALT, provides the organism with an important first line of defense. Along with the spleen and lymph nodes, the tonsils and MALT are also considered to be secondary lymphoid tissue.[3] The mucosal immune system provides three main functions: serving as the body's first line defense from antigens and infection, preventing systemic immune responses to commensal bacteria and food antigens (primarily food proteins in the Gut-associated lymphoid tissue, so-called oral tolerance), and regulating appropriate immune responses to pathogens encountered on a daily basis.[4]

For the journal, see Mucosal Immunology (journal).

At birth, the neonate's mucosal immune system is relatively undeveloped, but the colonization of intestinal flora promotes its development.[5]

Because of its front-line status within the immune system, the mucosal immune system is being investigated for use in vaccines for various afflictions,[6] including AIDS[7][8][9][10] and allergies.[11]

See also

References
  1. "Mucosal immunology - Latest research and news". www.nature.com. Retrieved 2016-11-08.
  2. Helbert, Matthew (2016-06-17). Immunology for Medical Students. Elsevier. ISBN 978-0-7020-6801-0.CS1 maint: ref=harv (link)
  3. Helbert, p. 84.
  4. Helbert, p. 86.
  5. Torow, N.; Marsland, B. J.; Hornef, M. W.; Gollwitzer, E. S. (2016-09-21). "Neonatal mucosal immunology". Mucosal Immunology. 10 (1): 5–17. doi:10.1038/mi.2016.81. ISSN 1935-3456. PMID 27649929.
  6. Mucosal Immunity and Vaccines, August 2003
  7. Pavot, V; Rochereau, N; Lawrence, P; Girard, MP; Genin, C; Verrier, B; Paul, S (31 July 2014). "Recent progress in HIV vaccines inducing mucosal immune responses". AIDS. 28 (12): 1701–18. doi:10.1097/qad.0000000000000308. PMID 25009956.
  8. Bourinbaiar, Aldar S.; Metadilogkul, Orapun; Jirathitikal, Vichai (2003). "Mucosal AIDS Vaccines". Viral Immunology. 16 (4): 427–45. doi:10.1089/088282403771926274. PMID 14733732.
  9. Simerska, Pavla; Moyle, Peter M.; Olive, Colleen; Toth, Istvan (2009). "Oral Vaccine Delivery - New Strategies and Technologies". Current Drug Delivery. 6 (4): 347–58. doi:10.2174/156720109789000537. PMID 19534712.
  10. Silin, Dmytro S.; Lyubomska, Oksana V.; Jirathitikal, Vichai; Bourinbaiar, Aldar S. (2007). "Oral vaccination: where we are?". Expert Opinion on Drug Delivery. 4 (4): 323–40. doi:10.1517/17425247.4.4.323. PMID 17683247.
  11. Wild, C.; Wallner, M.; Hufnagl, K.; Fuchs, H.; Hoffmann-Sommergruber, K.; Breiteneder, H.; Scheiner, O.; Ferreira, F.; Wiedermann, U. (2007). "A recombinant allergen chimer as novel mucosal vaccine candidate for prevention of multi-sensitivities". Allergy. 62 (1): 33–41. doi:10.1111/j.1398-9995.2006.01245.x. PMID 17156339.
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