Brief introduction into immunology (Background reading) - Mucosal immune system in the gut

13 important questions on Brief introduction into immunology (Background reading) - Mucosal immune system in the gut

What are the 2 functions of the immune system in the gut?

  1. An inductive site which includes the gut-associated lymphoid tissues (GALT), like isolated lymphoid follicles and Peyer's patches (PP).
  2. Effector site, which harbours the gut-draining mesenteric lymph nodes (MLN), the epithelium and lamina propria (LP)

What do microfold (M) cells do?

They are present in the epithelium of the Peyer's patches (PP). Together with isolated lymphoid follicles they can actively transport particulate material from the gut into the lymphoid area.

What is zonulin and how is it released?


Zonulin is a protein that harms the integrity of the epithelial barrier by altering the junctional complex proteins.

Zonulin is released when specific food components bind to chemokine receptors (like CXCR3) on epithelial intra-epithelial cells
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What does the mucus layer covering the epithelium consist of?

  • >95% enterocytes, responsible for nutrient degradation and uptake
  • 5% goblet cells, enteroendocrine cells (EECs) and Paneth cells.

What do enteroendocrine cells (EECs) release?

Hormones, neurotransmitters, such as serotonin, and immune-modulatory mediators

What are Paneth cells?

They are only present in the small intestinal crypts and release, e.g. Antimicrobial peptides, which are important regulators of the microbial ecosystem.

Why are mast cells in the lamina propria (LP) important?

They form important links between the gut immune system, the epithelium and the extensive intestinal neuronal network, as they do not only release immune mediators, but also hormones and neurotransmitters.

Where is the largest population of lymphocytes in the human body?

75% is in the gut.

What do dendritic cells (DCs) do after epithelial barrier disruption?

  • They actively participate in sampling of bacteria from the gut lumen
  • activate Th17 cells
  • generate regulatory T cells (Treg)

In the lamina propria (LP) there is a distance population of DCs. T/F

True

The lamina propria (LP) contains high numbers of plasma cells that produce secretory IgA. T/F

True

What suppresses the mucosal immune activation by IL-15?

CD4+, CD25+, Foxp3+ and Tregs

What are CD8+ cytotoxic T cells?

They are known for their actions in mucosal destruction in inflammatory bowel disease and Celiac Disease.

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