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Updated: Aug 14, 2026

A Novel Method for the Culture and Polarized Stimulation of Human Intestinal Mucosa Explants
Published on: May 1, 2013
Oral tolerance: mobilizing the gut
1Harvard University, Boston, USA.
Immunologically active lymphoid tissue in gut mucosa is preferentially programmed to inhibit autoimmune reactions, a property that can be exploited by oral administration of self-antigen. Identifying the target autoantigens to use in oral preparations may not be necessary. The trigger for oral tolerization is antigen-specific, but suppressive events in the target organ are nonspecific.
Immunologically active lymphoid tissue in gut mucosa is preferentially programmed to inhibit autoimmune reactions, a property that can be exploited by oral administration of self-antigen. Identifying the target autoantigens to use in oral preparations may not be necessary. The trigger for oral tolerization is antigen-specific, but suppressive events in the target organ are nonspecific.
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