Mucosal immune system

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The mucosal immune system is the immune system of mucous membranes – thin, permeable barriers between the body and the outside environment. These include the lining of the gut, the lungs, eyes, nose, mouth, uterus and vagina.

The most common antibody type found in the mucosal immune system is IgA.[1]

Mucosal surfaces in the body are immunologically linked. Antibodies created by infection at one mucous membrane site migrate throughout the body. [2][3][4] For example, Heliobacter pylori infection in the stomach seems to prevent asthma in mice. Intranasal immunization protects against vaginal HSV-2 infection. Mice infected with influenza virus suffer damage in both the lungs and the gut even in the absence of viral replication in the gut.[5]

References[edit | edit source]

  1. Charles A Janeway, Jr; Travers, Paul; Walport, Mark; Shlomchik, Mark J. (2001). "The mucosal immune system". Immunobiology: The Immune System in Health and Disease. 5th edition.
  2. Montgomery, P.C.; Lemaitre-Coelho, I.M.; Vaerman, J.P. (1980). "A common mucosal immune system. Antibody expression in secretions following gastrointestinal stimulation". Immunological Communications. 9 (7): 705–713. ISSN 0090-0877. PMID 7439927.
  3. Czerkinsky, C.; Prince, S.J.; Michalek, S.M.; Jackson, S.; Russell, M.W.; Moldoveanu, Z.; McGhee, J.R.; Mestecky, J. (April 1, 1987). "IgA antibody-producing cells in peripheral blood after antigen ingestion: evidence for a common mucosal immune system in humans". Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences. 84 (8): 2449–2453. doi:10.1073/pnas.84.8.2449. ISSN 0027-8424. PMID 3470804.
  4. McDermott, Mark R.; Bienenstock, John (May 1, 1979). "Evidence for a Common Mucosal Immunologic System: I. Migration of B Immunoblasts Into Intestinal, Respiratory, and Genital Tissues". The Journal of Immunology. 122 (5): 1892–1898. ISSN 0022-1767. PMID 448111.
  5. "How influenza virus infection might lead to gastrointestinal symptoms". Virology blog. Retrieved October 10, 2019.