Mucosal immunology

Mucosal immunology is the portion of the immune system which provides protection to an organism's various mucous membranes from invasion by potentially pathogenic microbes. It provides three main functions:[1] protecting the mucous membrane against infection, preventing the uptake of antigens, microorganisms, and other foreign materials, and moderating the organism's immune response to that material.

At birth, the neonate's mucosal immune system is relatively undeveloped, but the colonization of intestinal flora accelerates its development.

Because of its front-line status within the immune system, the mucosal immune system is being investigated for use in vaccines for various afflictions,[2] including AIDS[3][4][5] and allergies.[6]

References

  1. ↑ Holmgren, Jan; Czerkinsky, Cecil (2005). "Mucosal immunity and vaccines". Nature Medicine 11 (4 Suppl): S45–53. doi:10.1038/nm1213. PMID 15812489.
  2. ↑ Mucosal Immunity and Vaccines, August 2003
  3. ↑ Bourinbaiar, Aldar S.; Metadilogkul, Orapun; Jirathitikal, Vichai (2003). "Mucosal AIDS Vaccines". Viral Immunology 16 (4): 427–45. doi:10.1089/088282403771926274. PMID 14733732.
  4. ↑ Simerska, Pavla; Moyle, Peter M.; Olive, Colleen; Toth, Istvan (2009). "Oral Vaccine Delivery - New Strategies and Technologies". Current Drug Delivery 6 (4): 347–58. doi:10.2174/156720109789000537. PMID 19534712.
  5. ↑ Silin, Dmytro S.; Lyubomska, Oksana V.; Jirathitikal, Vichai; Bourinbaiar, Aldar S. (2007). "Oral vaccination: where we are?". Expert Opinion on Drug Delivery 4 (4): 323–40. doi:10.1517/17425247.4.4.323. PMID 17683247.
  6. ↑ Wild, C.; Wallner, M.; Hufnagl, K.; Fuchs, H.; Hoffmann-Sommergruber, K.; Breiteneder, H.; Scheiner, O.; Ferreira, F.; Wiedermann, U. (2007). "A recombinant allergen chimer as novel mucosal vaccine candidate for prevention of multi-sensitivities". Allergy 62 (1): 33–41. doi:10.1111/j.1398-9995.2006.01245.x. PMID 17156339.

See also