Adaptations of intestinal macrophages to an antigen-rich environment

Semin Immunol. 2007 Apr;19(2):84-93. doi: 10.1016/j.smim.2006.09.002. Epub 2006 Oct 18.

Abstract

Intestinal macrophages, preferentially located in the subepithelial lamina propria, represent in humans the largest pool of tissue macrophages. To comply with their main task, i.e. the efficient removal of microbes and particulate matter that might have gained access to the mucosa from the intestinal lumen while maintaining local tissue homeostasis, several phenotypic and functional adaptations evolved. Most notably, microbe-associated molecular pattern (MAMP) receptors, including the lipopolysaccharide receptors CD14 and TLR4, but also the Fc receptors for IgA and IgG are absent on most intestinal Mø. Here we review recent findings on the phenotypic and functional adaptations of intestinal Mø and their implications for the pathogenesis of inflammatory bowel diseases.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Adaptation, Physiological
  • Animals
  • Bacteria / immunology*
  • Bacterial Physiological Phenomena
  • Humans
  • Inflammatory Bowel Diseases / immunology
  • Inflammatory Bowel Diseases / microbiology
  • Inflammatory Bowel Diseases / physiopathology*
  • Intestinal Mucosa / immunology*
  • Intestinal Mucosa / microbiology
  • Intestinal Mucosa / physiology*
  • Intestines / immunology
  • Intestines / microbiology
  • Lipopolysaccharide Receptors / immunology
  • Lipopolysaccharide Receptors / metabolism
  • Macrophages / immunology*
  • Macrophages / metabolism*
  • Macrophages / microbiology
  • Particulate Matter / immunology
  • Receptors, Fc / immunology
  • Receptors, Fc / metabolism
  • Toll-Like Receptor 4 / immunology
  • Toll-Like Receptor 4 / metabolism

Substances

  • Lipopolysaccharide Receptors
  • Particulate Matter
  • Receptors, Fc
  • TLR4 protein, human
  • Toll-Like Receptor 4