The role of macrophages in inflammatory bowel diseases

SEM Heinsbroek, S Gordon - Expert reviews in molecular medicine, 2009 - cambridge.org
SEM Heinsbroek, S Gordon
Expert reviews in molecular medicine, 2009cambridge.org
The small and large intestine contain the largest number of macrophages in the body and
these cells are strategically located directly underneath the epithelial layer, enabling them to
sample the lumen. Such intestinal macrophages have a different phenotype from other
tissue macrophages in that they ingest and may kill microbes but they do not mediate strong
pro-inflammatory responses upon microbial recognition. These properties are essential for
maintaining a healthy intestine. It is generally accepted that tolerance to the intestinal flora is …
The small and large intestine contain the largest number of macrophages in the body and these cells are strategically located directly underneath the epithelial layer, enabling them to sample the lumen. Such intestinal macrophages have a different phenotype from other tissue macrophages in that they ingest and may kill microbes but they do not mediate strong pro-inflammatory responses upon microbial recognition. These properties are essential for maintaining a healthy intestine. It is generally accepted that tolerance to the intestinal flora is lost in inflammatory bowel diseases, and genes involved in microbial recognition, killing and macrophage activation have already been associated with these diseases. In this review, we shed light on the intestinal macrophage and how it influences intestinal immunity.
Cambridge University Press