ISSN:
1365-2036
Source:
Blackwell Publishing Journal Backfiles 1879-2005
Topics:
Medicine
Notes:
The common response to infection is infiltration of the affected tissue by inflammatory cells. It is now recognized that the epithelium plays a crucial role in this immunological process by producing an array of proinflammatory cytokines including interleukin-8, tumour necrosis factor-α, monocyte chemotactic protein-1, granulocytemacrophage colony-stimulating factor, extractable nuclear antigen-78 and others. The response of the intestinal epithelium to bacterial pathogens is particularly intriguing because it is literally bathed by normal bacterial flora and bacterial components/products yet remains immunologically quiescent despite this potentially hostile environment. In contrast, when challenged by bacterial pathogens, intestinal epithelial cells exhibit a vigorous immunological response. Our laboratory has, therefore, focused on the immune response of intestinal epithelial cells when confronted by a specific bacterial pathogen, enteropathogenic Escherichia coli.
Type of Medium:
Electronic Resource
URL:
http://dx.doi.org/10.1111/j.1365-2036.1997.tb00810.x
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