Gastrointestinal immune function

Gastrointestinal immune function is the sum of activities carried out by specialized immune cells, epithelial barriers, and microbial metabolites within the gut to mediate defense against pathogens, promote tolerance to commensal bacteria and dietary antigens, maintain mucosal integrity, and balance immune activation versus tolerance[2][3][6]. Key cell types include T cells (e.g., Th17, Treg), B cells producing IgA, macrophages, dendritic cells, innate lymphoid cells, and epithelial cells[1][3][6]. Major molecular mediators are cytokines (such as interleukin-22, interleukin-17, TNF-α, IL-10), pattern recognition receptors like Toll-like receptors (TLRs), and metabolites such as short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs)[2][4][5][6][7]. Dysregulated GI immune function is central to conditions like inflammatory bowel disease, food allergy, infections, and colorectal cancer[3][5].

Other names

GI immune functiongut immune responseintestinal immune function