Microbial translocation across the GI tract

The lumen of the gastrointestinal (GI) tract is home to an enormous quantity of different bacterial species, our microbiota, that thrive in an often symbiotic relationship with the host. Given that the healthy host must regulate contact between the microbiota and its immune system to avoid overwhelm...

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Bibliographic Details
Published inAnnual review of immunology Vol. 30; p. 149
Main Authors Brenchley, Jason M, Douek, Daniel C
Format Journal Article
LanguageEnglish
Published United States 01.01.2012
Subjects
Animals
Anti-Infective Agents - pharmacology
Anti-Infective Agents - therapeutic use
Digestive System Diseases - immunology
Digestive System Diseases - microbiology
Digestive System Diseases - therapy
Gastrointestinal Tract - drug effects
Gastrointestinal Tract - immunology
Gastrointestinal Tract - microbiology
Host-Pathogen Interactions - immunology
Humans
Immunologic Factors - pharmacology
Immunologic Factors - therapeutic use
Metagenome - drug effects
Metagenome - physiology
Probiotics - therapeutic use
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Summary:The lumen of the gastrointestinal (GI) tract is home to an enormous quantity of different bacterial species, our microbiota, that thrive in an often symbiotic relationship with the host. Given that the healthy host must regulate contact between the microbiota and its immune system to avoid overwhelming systemic immune activation, humans have evolved several mechanisms to attenuate systemic microbial translocation (MT) and its consequences. However, several diseases are associated with the failure of one or more of these mechanisms, with consequent immune activation and deleterious effects on health. Here, we discuss the mechanisms underlying MT, diseases associated with MT, and therapeutic interventions that aim to decrease it.
ISSN:1545-3278
DOI:10.1146/annurev-immunol-020711-075001