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Maturation of the enteric mucosal innate immune system during the postnatal period

Marcus Fulde1, Mathias W Hornef

  • 1Institute for Medical Microbiology and Hospital Epidemiology, Hannover Medical School, Hannover, Germany.

Immunological Reviews
|June 20, 2014
PubMed

Insights

The neonatal innate immune system adapts to microbial encounters, balancing protection and homeostasis. This research explores mechanisms guiding the infant

Area of Science:

  • Immunology
  • Neonatal development
  • Microbiology

Background:

  • The innate immune system alerts the host to microbes, crucial for protective responses.
  • It also regulates homeostasis and adaptation to environmental demands.
  • Neonatal hosts face significant microbial interactions transitioning from fetal life.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To discuss adaptive and developmental mechanisms of the mucosal innate immune system.
  • To explain how these mechanisms prevent overstimulation.
  • To highlight facilitation of stable host-microbial interactions post-birth.

Main Methods:

  • Review of adaptive mechanisms.
  • Analysis of developmental strategies.
  • Focus on mucosal innate immunity.

Main Results:

  • Innate immune system development is critical for neonatal adaptation.
  • Mucosal immune mechanisms prevent inappropriate responses.
  • Stable host-microbial interactions are established post-birth.

Conclusions:

  • The neonatal innate immune system plays a vital role in adapting to microbial challenges.
  • Developmental and adaptive strategies ensure immune homeostasis.
  • Effective host-microbial interactions are essential for infant health.

Keywords:
immune system ontogenyinfectious diseaseinflammationpattern recognition receptorstolerance

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