Dendritic cells express tight junction proteins and penetrate gut epithelial monolayers to sample bacteria – (04-30-01)



Dendritic cells express tight junction proteins and penetrate gut epithelial monolayers to sample bacteria

I realize that this is a long, technical title, but it is very interesting. I’ve talked quite frequently about intestinal bacteria and how important friendly bacteria are to our overall health. This study identified that portions of the nervous system extend down into the GI lumen to “taste” the bacteria present. This present two interesting scenarios. First, this gives yet another route by which abnormal flora in the GI tract can provide systemic effects; a concept that is still foreign in much of Western medicine. Next, this study suggests that this extension allows bacteria to penetrate into the body. More support for the clinical approach to use probiotics to maintain a protective layer along the GI tract.

Nature Immunology 2, 361 – 367 (2001) Penetration of the gut mucosa by pathogens expressing invasion genes is believed to occur mainly through specialized epithelial cells, called M cells, that are located in Peyer’s patches. However, Salmonella typhimurium that are deficient in invasion genes encoded by Salmonella pathogenicity island 1 (SPI1) are still able to reach the spleen after oral administration. This suggests the existence of an alternative route for bacterial invasion, one that is independent of M cells. We report here a new mechanism for bacterial uptake in the mucosa tissues that is mediated by dendritic cells (DCs). DCs open the tight junctions between epithelial cells, send dendrites outside the epithelium and directly sample bacteria. In addition, because DCs express tight-junction proteins such as occludin, claudin 1 and zonula occludens 1, the integrity of the epithelial barrier is preserved.

James Bogash

For more than a decade, Dr. Bogash has stayed current with the medical literature as it relates to physiology, disease prevention and disease management. He uses his knowledge to educate patients, the community and cyberspace on the best way to avoid and / or manage chronic diseases using lifestyle and targeted supplementation.







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Category: Probiotic
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