Related Experiment Video
Updated: Apr 12, 2026

Isolation and Flow Cytometric Characterization of Murine Small Intestinal Lymphocytes
Published on: May 8, 2016
The functional impact of the intestinal microbiome on mucosal immunity and systemic autoimmunity
Randy S Longman1, Dan R Littman
1Department of Medicine, Jill Roberts Institute for IBD Research, Weill Cornell Medical College, New York, New York, USA.
Purpose Of Review:
This review will highlight recent advances functionally linking the gut microbiome with mucosal and systemic immune cell activation underlying autoimmunity.
Recent Findings:
Dynamic interactions between the gut microbiome and environmental cues (including diet and medicines) shape the effector potential of the microbial organ. Key bacteria and viruses have emerged that, in defined microenvironments, play a critical role in regulating effector lymphocyte functions. The coordinated interactions between these different microbial kingdoms - including bacteria, helminths, and viruses (termed transkingdom interactions) - play a key role in shaping immunity. Emerging strategies to identify immunologically relevant microbes with the potential to regulate immune cell functions both at mucosal sites and systemically will likely define diagnostic and therapeutic targets.
Summary:
The microbiome constitutes a critical microbial organ with coordinated interactions that shape host immunity.
Related Concept Videos
Functions of the Gut Microbiota
The Oral Microbiota
Anatomy of the Intestines
Small Intestines
The small intestine is an ~7 meter-long tube with an inner diameter of just 2.5 cm. Since most nutrients are absorbed here, the inner lining of the...
Introduction to the Human Microbiota
Gut-Brain Axis
Microbiota of the Large Intestine

