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Updated: Apr 8, 2026

Isolation and Flow Cytometric Characterization of Murine Small Intestinal Lymphocytes
Published on: May 8, 2016
They Must Hold Tight: Junction Proteins, Microbiota And Immunity In Intestinal Mucosa
Angela Castoldi, Cristhiane Favero de Aguiar, Pedro Manoel Moraes-Vieira
1Departamento de Imunologia, Universidade de São Paulo. Avenida Lineu Prestes, 1730, Cidade Universitária, CEP: 05508-900, São Paulo, SP, Brazil. niels@icb.usp.br.
Abstract:
Homeostasis of the immune system depends on several factors. The gastrointestinal tract plays an important role in maintaining our immune system. With this aim, the intestinal immune system interacts with epithelial barrier molecules, especially tight junction proteins, that are key molecules involved in controlling paracellular permeability to increase the protection barrier against external antigens or possibly to respond to commensal microorganisms. During intestinal inflammatory diseases, the expression of innate immune receptors in intestinal epithelial cells and infiltration of immune cells are related, but it is still unclear how the immune system induces modulation of paracellular permeability. In this review, we provide an overview of the understanding of how the immune system modulates the expression of tight junctions to maintain the mucosal immune system.
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