[Mucosal immune system of the intestine]

Gut-associated lymphoid tissue is the major inductive site of mucosal immune system, functionally independent of the systemic immune system. Particulate antigens are mainly uptaken from M cell of Peyer's patches, inducing IgA production in the intestinal mucosa. Lymphocytes are continuously recirculating through the intestinal mucosa to facilitate intestinal immune response. Dysregulation of lymphocyte migration and cytokine imbalance in the intestinal mucosa may be largely involved in the pathogenesis of inflammatory bowel diseases including intestinal allergy and Crohn's disease. There is also a possibility that dietary components especially long chain fatty acid could influence immune cell function of the intestinal mucosa. Because dietary components are closely associated with immunological function of intestinal mucosa, the importance of dietary manipulation for the management of inflammatory bowel diseases should be concerned.