Innate immune defence in the human gastrointestinal tract.

摘要: The mucosal surface of the gastrointestinal tract represents a major entry point and ecological niche for many microbes. It forms an important immune barrier, absorbing nutrients, whilst preventing invasion by organisms. Of extra-ordinarily diverse species that comprise microbial world, relatively few organisms are able to succeed in breaching this barrier otherwise healthy host. production secretion antimicrobial peptides (AMPs) from epithelia circulating cells likely play key role host protection homeostasis. A number these constitutively produced providing resident protection, whereas others induced during infection inflammation. In addition directly eradicating microorganisms, it is becoming increasingly apparent AMPs multi-functional with immuno-modulatory properties. This review focuses on three families AMPs, defensins, cathelicidins, lysozyme, discusses their defence.