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Related Concept Videos

Histology of the Small Intestine01:27

Histology of the Small Intestine

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The small intestine exhibits a unique histological structure that significantly enhances its function in digestion and nutrient absorption. These structures include circular folds, villi, and various specialized cells that collectively facilitate the digestion of food.
The intestinal lining features transverse folds called circular folds, each housing fingerlike projections known as intestinal villi. These villi are covered by a layer of simple columnar epithelium, also referred to as...
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The intestinal epithelial lining rapidly renews every 4 to 5 days. The renewal is facilitated by intestinal stem cells (ISCs) located at the base of the crypt– a gland located at the bottom of each villus. ISCs divide asymmetrically to form new stem cells and progenitor daughter cells. The daughter cells are called transit-amplifying (TA) cells which move upwards along the crypt and either differentiate into absorptive cells– the enterocytes or secretory cells– including the...
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Lymphoid cells and tissues are integral to the immune system, which is crucial in maintaining our body's defense against harmful pathogens. They form the building blocks of lymphoid organs, which include the spleen, thymus, and lymph nodes.
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Secondary organs, including lymph nodes, the spleen, and mucosa-associated lymphoid tissue (MALT), work harmoniously to protect us from disease and infection.
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Histology of the Large Intestine01:26

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The large intestine, a vital component of the gastrointestinal tract, is structured with four main layers: the mucosa, submucosa, muscularis, and serosa. Each layer performs a distinct role in facilitating the smooth functioning of the large intestine.
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Epithelial tissues are large sheets of cells covering all of the surfaces of the body. These surfaces can be internal or external, for example, skin, airways, the digestive tract, the urinary system, and the reproductive system. Hollow organs and body cavities that do not connect to the body's exterior, including blood vessels and serous membranes, are lined by epithelial tissue known as the endothelium.
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Intravital Imaging of Intraepithelial Lymphocytes in Murine Small Intestine
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Intraepithelial Lymphocytes of the Intestine.

Ainsley Lockhart1,2, Daniel Mucida1,3, Angelina M Bilate1

  • 1Laboratory of Mucosal Immunology, The Rockefeller University, New York, NY, USA; email: mucida@rockefeller.edu, abilate@rockefeller.edu.

Annual Review of Immunology
|January 26, 2024
PubMed
Summary

Intestinal intraepithelial lymphocytes (IELs) are crucial for gut health, balancing tolerance and immunity. Their limited T cell receptor (TCR) diversity highlights specific antigen responses, making them potential targets for inflammatory diseases and cancer.

Keywords:
cytotoxicitydietary signalsintraepithelial lymphocytesmicrobiotatissue adaptationtolerance

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Area of Science:

  • Immunology
  • Gastroenterology
  • Cell Biology

Background:

  • The intestinal epithelium hosts a large population of intestinal intraepithelial lymphocytes (IELs).
  • IELs are critical for maintaining epithelial homeostasis and barrier integrity by balancing tolerance and immunity.
  • Understanding IELs is vital for addressing gut health and inflammatory conditions.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To review the ontogeny, environmental imprinting, T cell receptor (TCR) repertoire, and function of intestinal IELs.
  • To highlight the unique characteristics and functional significance of IEL subsets.
  • To explore the therapeutic potential of IELs in diseases like cancer and inflammatory disorders.

Main Methods:

  • Review of existing literature on IEL development, characteristics, and function.
  • Analysis of IEL subsets' shared traits, including their epithelium-adapted profile and limited TCR diversity.
  • Discussion of IEL interactions with epithelial cells, microbiota, and dietary components.

Main Results:

  • IEL subsets share core traits: an epithelium-adapted profile, innate-like properties, cytotoxic potential, and restricted TCR diversity.
  • Limited TCR diversity suggests IEL responses are driven by a specific set of intestinal antigens.
  • IELs play a key role in homeostatic immunity and barrier integrity but can be pathogenic when dysregulated.

Conclusions:

  • IELs are essential for gut immunity and barrier function.
  • Their restricted TCR repertoire points to specialized antigen recognition.
  • IELs represent promising, yet underexplored, therapeutic targets for gastrointestinal diseases and cancer.