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Intestinal epithelial cells and their role in innate mucosal immunity

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Abstract

The mucosal surfaces of the respiratory, gastrointestinal and urogenital tracts are covered by a layer of epithelial cells that are responsible for sensing and promoting a host immune response in order to establish the limits not only for commensal microorganisms but also for foreign organisms or particles. This is a remarkable task as the human body represents a composite of about 10 trillion human-self cells plus non-self cells from autochthonous or indigenous microbes that outnumber human cells 10:1. Hence, the homeostasis of epithelial cells that line mucosal surfaces relies on a fine-tuned immune system that patrols the boundaries between human and microbial cells. In the case of the intestine, the epithelial layer is composed of at least six epithelial cell lineages that act as a physiological barrier in addition to aiding digestion and the absorption of nutrients, water and electrolytes. In this review, we highlight the immense role of the intestinal epithelium in coordinating the mucosal innate immune response.

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Abbreviations

AMPs:

Antimicrobial peptides

CARD:

Caspase recruitment domain

CrD:

Crohn’s disease

GALT:

Gut-associated lymphoid tissue

GI:

Gastrointestinal

IBD:

Irritable bowel disease

IL:

Interleukins

IgA:

Immunoglobulin A

pIgAR:

Polimeric immunoglobulin A receptor

LPS:

Lipopolysaccharide

M cells:

Microfold cells

MAPK:

Mitogen-activated protein kinases

NF-κB:

Nuclear factor kappa-B

NK:

Natural killer

NOD:

Nucleotide-binding oligomerization domain

NLRs:

NOD-like receptors

PAMPs:

Pathogen-associated molecular patterns

PYD:

Pyrin domain

TLR:

Toll-like receptors

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  1. Department of Microbiology and Physiological Systems, University of Massachusetts Medical School, 55 Lake Avenue North, Worcester, MA, 01655, USA

    A. L. Maldonado-Contreras & Beth A. McCormick

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Maldonado-Contreras, A.L., McCormick, B.A. Intestinal epithelial cells and their role in innate mucosal immunity. Cell Tissue Res 343, 5–12 (2011). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00441-010-1082-5

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