Immune Tolerance in the Oral Mucosa

Area of Science:

• Immunology
• Oral Biology

Background:

• The oral mucosa is a critical immune site, defending against pathogens while tolerating food and commensal bacteria.
• Mechanisms of oral tolerance are complex and not fully understood.
• Current research often emphasizes dendritic cells and regulatory T cells in oral tolerance.

Purpose of the Study:

• To systematically review the tolerogenic mechanisms in the oral mucosa.
• To highlight the significant, yet often overlooked, role of oral epithelial cells in maintaining immune tolerance.

Main Methods:

• Systematic literature review of studies on oral mucosa immunity and tolerance.
• Analysis of the interplay between epithelial cells and immune cells in the oral environment.

Main Results:

• Oral tolerance involves intricate interactions between various immune cells and the epithelium.
• Oral epithelial cells actively influence both innate and adaptive immune responses, contributing significantly to tolerance.
• Tolerogenic mechanisms are intertwined, involving both active immune responses and epithelial cell functions.

Conclusions:

• Oral epithelial cells are crucial players in oral immune tolerance.
• A comprehensive understanding of oral tolerance requires considering the epithelial contribution alongside cellular immunity.