Science · 2005 · 436 citations · 9 references
Life SciencesImmunologyMicrobiologyHost-pathogen InteractionsInnate ImmunityMucosal ImmunologyGastrointestinal ImmunologyIntestinal Barrier FunctionIntestinal ParasitologyMucosal Immune SystemMucosal ImmunityNematode InfectionChemokine BiologyHost Immune ControlHost Immune Response To Intestinal ParasitesIntestinal Epithelial Barrier FunctionIntestinal Mucosal ImmunityIntestinal NematodesMucosal Defense MechanismsMucosal Host Defense
The functional integrity of the intestinal epithelial barrier forms a major defense against invading pathogens, including gastrointestinal-dwelling nematodes, which are ubiquitous in their distribution worldwide. Here, we show that an increase in the rate of epithelial cell turnover in the large intestine acts like an "epithelial escalator" to expel Trichuris and that the rate of epithelial cell movement is under immune control by the cytokine interleukin-13 and the chemokine CXCL10. This host protective mechanism against intestinal pathogens has implications for our wider understanding of the multifunctional role played by intestinal epithelium in mucosal defense.
9