The blessings and curses of intestinal inflammation

Sebastian E. Winter, A. Marijke Keestra, Renée M. Tsolis, Andreas J. Bäumler

Research output: Contribution to journalReview articlepeer-review

41 Scopus citations

Abstract

The intestinal immune system has to strike a delicate balance between initiating inflammatory responses against invading bacterial pathogens and avoiding their induction against microbiota colonizing the lumen. Adequate inflammatory responses against bacterial invasion result in the lumenal secretion of antimicrobial peptides, as well as the release of cytokines in tissue that recruit and activate phagocytes. However, pathogens have evolved to utilize these environmental changes in the inflamed intestine to promote colonization. This review focuses on the costs and benefits of intestinal inflammation and the fine interplay between the host, its microbiota, and enteric pathogens.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)36-43
Number of pages8
JournalCell Host and Microbe
Volume8
Issue number1
DOIs
StatePublished - Jul 2010

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Parasitology
  • Microbiology
  • Virology

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