Innate antimicrobial immunity in inflammatory bowel diseases. (September 2010)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Beisner, Julia; Stange, Eduard F; Wehkamp, Jan
• Is Part Of: Expert review of clinical immunology. Volume 6:Number 5(2010)
• Page Start: 809
• Page End: 818
• Publication Date: 2010-09
• Subjects: antimicrobial peptides -- Crohn's disease -- defensins -- inflammatory bowel disease -- innate immunity -- Paneth cells -- probiotics -- ulcerative colitis; Clinical immunology -- Periodicals; 616.079
• DOI: 10.1586/eci.10.56
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1744-666X

Abstract

Inflammatory bowel diseases are characterized by chronic intestinal inflammation at different sites. Data from animal models as well as human patients including gene-association studies suggest that different components of the innate barrier function are primarily defective. These recent advances support the evolving hypothesis that intestinal bacteria induce inflammation predominantly as a result of a weakened innate mucosal barrier in genetically predisposed individuals. This article discusses our current understanding of the primary events of disease. Together, these findings should result in new therapeutic avenues aimed at restoring antimicrobial barrier function to prevent a bacterial-triggered inflammatory response.