The future of mucosal immunology: studying an integrated system-wide organ

Lung dendritic cells induce TH17 cells that produce TH2 cytokines, express GATA-3, and promote airway inflammation

“…37 Finally, a recent concept has emerged that the mucosal immune system can be viewed as a global organ characterized by diverse relationships between mucosal sites with a potential key role for DCs in connecting the different sites. 38 T H 1, T H 2, and T H 17 cells were first identified as 3 distinct lineages that rely on distinct signals and transcription factors. Gata3 is selectively induced in developing T H 2 cells after T-cell receptor stimulation in the presence or absence of IL-4, the source of which is still debated.…”

Composition and functional role of the mucus layers in the intestine

“…Our recent discovery of a two-layered mucus in the colon that physically separates the luminal bacteria from the epithelial cells has renewed the interest in mucus and mucin research [1]. In fact, it has been outlined as one of the most important areas for a better understanding of mucosal immunology [2].…”

Nanomedicine for treatment of diabetes in an aging population: State-of-the-art and future developments

“…Moreover the strong focalization on mucus-adherent chitosan based delivery bears another risk. Recent findings that the mucus of oral, airway and intestinal are very similar [58] and involve in immune tolerance and immune defense it is possible that the majority of the nano-and microparticles are destroyed or removed. This together with the fact that in 30% of the population chitosan cause intolerance novel strategies needs to be considered.…”