COMMENTARIES
T cells
A ticket to the gut for thymic T cells
Correspondence to:
Correspondence to:
Dr W Falk
Department of Internal Medicine I, University of Regensburg, D-93042 Regensburg, Germany; werner.falk@klinik.uni-regensburg.de
The intestinal epithelium is colonised by, among other cells, normal T helper and cytotoxic T cells which obtain their antigen experience in the gut associated lymphatics after migration from the thymus. New evidence suggests a CD8 positive T cell that directly migrates to the intestinal epithelium increasing the role of the thymus in shaping intestinal immunity
Keywords: intestinal immunity; gut; thymus; gut mucosa; T lymphocytes; cell trafficking; chemokine receptors
| The first 150 words of the full text of this article appear below. |
A normal splenic T cell would be abhorred should it get close to the intestinal epithelium. Instead of its usual rather sterile environment, it would be bathed in an ocean of usually non-pathogenic microbial and food derived antigens never seen during its passage through the educating thymus. It would get ready to become very excited. However, although the number of T cells in the mouse small intestine is approximately 50% of those residing in all lymphoid organs,1,2 there is peace. This peace is the result of a balanced presence of activated protecting T cells and activated controlling T cells.
The gut represents a unique dilemma for the immune system. It has the largest surface of the body harbouring numerous species of microorganisms. It is thus challenged with the task to be a barrier to the outside world and also to be the organ for most effective absorptive and
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Gut 2006 55: 961-968.[Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]
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