TY - JOUR
T1 - Heterogeneity across the murine small and large intestine
AU - Bowcutt, Rowann
AU - Forman, Ruth
AU - Glymenaki, Maria
AU - Carding, Simon Richard
AU - Else, Kathryn
AU - Cruickshank, Sheena Margaret
N1 - Supported by BBSRC/CASE studentship awarded to Rowann Bowcutt, BBSRC studentship awarded to M Glymnaki and Wellcome Trust Project grant 092323
PY - 2014/11
Y1 - 2014/11
N2 - The small and large intestine of the gastrointestinal tract (GIT) have evolved to have discrete functions with distinct anatomies and immune cell composition. The importance of these differences is underlined when considering that different pathogens have uniquely adapted to live in each region of the gut. Furthermore, different regions of the GIT are also associated with differences in susceptibility to diseases such as cancer and chronic inflammation. The large and small intestine, given their anatomical and functional differences, should be seen as two separate immunological sites. However, this distinction is often ignored with findings from one area of the GIT being inappropriately extrapolated to the other. Focussing largely on the murine small and large intestine, this review addresses the literature relating to the immunology and biology of the two sites, drawing comparisons between them and clarifying similarities and differences. We also highlight the gaps in our understanding and where further research is needed.
AB - The small and large intestine of the gastrointestinal tract (GIT) have evolved to have discrete functions with distinct anatomies and immune cell composition. The importance of these differences is underlined when considering that different pathogens have uniquely adapted to live in each region of the gut. Furthermore, different regions of the GIT are also associated with differences in susceptibility to diseases such as cancer and chronic inflammation. The large and small intestine, given their anatomical and functional differences, should be seen as two separate immunological sites. However, this distinction is often ignored with findings from one area of the GIT being inappropriately extrapolated to the other. Focussing largely on the murine small and large intestine, this review addresses the literature relating to the immunology and biology of the two sites, drawing comparisons between them and clarifying similarities and differences. We also highlight the gaps in our understanding and where further research is needed.
U2 - 10.3748/wjg.v20.i41.15216
DO - 10.3748/wjg.v20.i41.15216
M3 - Article
SN - 1007-9327
VL - 20
SP - 15216
EP - 15232
JO - World Journal of Gastroenterology
JF - World Journal of Gastroenterology
IS - 41
ER -