Biomaterial Database

Mucosal dendritic cell diversity in the gastrointestinal tract. 2011

Patrick N Fries, and Philip J Griebel

Vaccine and Infectious Disease Organization, University of Saskatchewan, 120 Veterinary Road, Saskatoon, SK S7N 5E3, Canada.

The discovery of dendritic cells (DCs) in skin by Paul Langerhans in 1868 identified a cell type which has since been recognized as a key link between innate and adaptive immunity. DCs originate from bone marrow and disseminate through blood to all tissues in the body, and distinct DC subpopulations have been identified in many different tissues. DC diversity is apparent throughout all mucosal surfaces of the body, but the focus of this review article is DC diversity throughout the gastro-intestinal tract (GIT). DC subpopulations have been well characterized in the oral cavity and small intestine, but DC characterization in other regions, such as the esophagus and stomach, is limited. Substantial research has focused on DC function during disease, but understanding the regulation of inflammation and the induction of acquired immune responses requires combined phenotypic and functional characterization of individual DC subpopulations. Furthermore, little is known regarding mucosal DC subpopulations in the GIT of the neonate and how these DC populations change following colonization by commensal microflora. The current review will highlight mucosal DC diversity and discuss factors that may influence mucosal DC differentiation.

UI	MeSH Term	Description	Entries
D009092	Mucous Membrane	An EPITHELIUM with MUCUS-secreting cells, such as GOBLET CELLS. It forms the lining of many body cavities, such as the DIGESTIVE TRACT, the RESPIRATORY TRACT, and the reproductive tract. Mucosa, rich in blood and lymph vessels, comprises an inner epithelium, a middle layer (lamina propria) of loose CONNECTIVE TISSUE, and an outer layer (muscularis mucosae) of SMOOTH MUSCLE CELLS that separates the mucosa from submucosa.	Lamina Propria,Mucosa,Mucosal Tissue,Muscularis Mucosae,Mucous Membranes,Membrane, Mucous,Membranes, Mucous,Mucosae, Muscularis,Mucosal Tissues,Propria, Lamina,Tissue, Mucosal,Tissues, Mucosal
D003713	Dendritic Cells	Specialized cells of the hematopoietic system that have branch-like extensions. They are found throughout the lymphatic system, and in non-lymphoid tissues such as SKIN and the epithelia of the intestinal, respiratory, and reproductive tracts. They trap and process ANTIGENS, and present them to T-CELLS, thereby stimulating CELL-MEDIATED IMMUNITY. They are different from the non-hematopoietic FOLLICULAR DENDRITIC CELLS, which have a similar morphology and immune system function, but with respect to humoral immunity (ANTIBODY PRODUCTION).	Dendritic Cells, Interdigitating,Interdigitating Cells,Plasmacytoid Dendritic Cells,Veiled Cells,Dendritic Cells, Interstitial,Dendritic Cells, Plasmacytoid,Interdigitating Dendritic Cells,Interstitial Dendritic Cells,Cell, Dendritic,Cell, Interdigitating,Cell, Interdigitating Dendritic,Cell, Interstitial Dendritic,Cell, Plasmacytoid Dendritic,Cell, Veiled,Cells, Dendritic,Cells, Interdigitating,Cells, Interdigitating Dendritic,Cells, Interstitial Dendritic,Cells, Plasmacytoid Dendritic,Cells, Veiled,Dendritic Cell,Dendritic Cell, Interdigitating,Dendritic Cell, Interstitial,Dendritic Cell, Plasmacytoid,Interdigitating Cell,Interdigitating Dendritic Cell,Interstitial Dendritic Cell,Plasmacytoid Dendritic Cell,Veiled Cell
D006801	Humans	Members of the species Homo sapiens.	Homo sapiens,Man (Taxonomy),Human,Man, Modern,Modern Man
D041981	Gastrointestinal Tract	Generally refers to the digestive structures stretching from the MOUTH to ANUS, but does not include the accessory glandular organs (LIVER; BILIARY TRACT; PANCREAS).	Digestive Tract,GI Tract,Digestive Tracts,GI Tracts,Gastrointestinal Tracts
D019070	Cell Lineage	The developmental history of specific differentiated cell types as traced back to the original STEM CELLS in the embryo.	Cell Lineages,Lineage, Cell,Lineages, Cell