The love-hate relationship between bacterial polysaccharides and the host immune system

Sarkis K Mazmanian1, Dennis L Kasper

  • 1Division of Biology, California Institute of Technology, Mail code 156-29, 1200 East California Boulevard, Pasadena, California 91125, USA.

Summary

Gut bacteria significantly influence the mammalian immune system. Commensal bacteria produce molecules that promote CD4(+) T-cell expansion, enhancing host health and potentially explaining the hygiene hypothesis for allergies.

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