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Basic mechanisms and clinical implications of oral tolerance
1Department of Immunology, University of Glasgow, Western Infirmary, Glasgow, Scotland. a.m.mowat@clinmed.gla.ac.uk
Current Opinion in Gastroenterology
|October 7, 2006
Summary
Oral tolerance prevents food hypersensitivity by presenting antigens via antigen-presenting cells (APCs) without costimulation, leading to T-cell unresponsiveness. This mechanism may involve regulatory T cells and inhibitory mediators.
Area of Science:
- Immunology
- Gastroenterology
Background:
- Oral tolerance prevents immune responses to food and commensal bacteria.
- It holds potential for treating autoimmune and inflammatory diseases.
- Exact mechanisms underlying oral tolerance remain incompletely understood.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review recent evidence on the mechanisms of oral tolerance.
- To explore the role of antigen-presenting cells (APCs) and T cells in oral tolerance.
- To discuss the implications for therapeutic applications.
Main Methods:
- Review of current scientific literature and evidence.
- Analysis of antigen presentation pathways in oral tolerance.
- Discussion of T-cell activation, anergy, and regulatory functions.
Main Results:
- Fed antigens are presented by APCs lacking costimulatory activity, inducing partial T-cell activation and unresponsiveness.
- Resting dendritic cells may be key APCs, while activated dendritic cells promote immunity.
- Anergic T cells may function as regulatory cells through inhibitory mediators or cell-cell interactions.
Conclusions:
- Oral tolerance involves APCs presenting antigens without costimulation, leading to regulatory T-cell responses.
- Mechanisms include T-cell anergy, production of cytokines like TGF-β and IL-10, and bystander suppression.
- Understanding these pathways can inform therapeutic strategies for immune-mediated diseases.
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