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Immune regulation at epithelial barrier sites

Reference	BBS/E/B/0000C242
Principal Investigator / Supervisor	Dr Marc Veldhoen
Co-Investigators / Co-Supervisors
Institution	Babraham Institute
Department	Babraham Institute Department
Funding type	Research
Value (£)	888,344
Status	Completed
Type	Institute Project
Start date	01/03/2010
End date	31/03/2012
Duration	25 months

Abstract

It seems appropriate to view ourselves as a combination of many species and our genetic build as a composite of genes embedded in our own genome and in the genomes of our affiliated microbial partners; the microbiome. Our bodies’ large surfaces, harbouring many resident commensals are however also exposed to potentially harmful micro-organisms. These surfaces include the skin and the gastro-intestinal tract. Several barriers are in place to prevent microbes invading our bodies, first of which is the epithelial cell layer. Although sufficient to prevent invasion by most microbes, this is not always adequate. A second line of defence is formed by cells of the immune-system, providing protection against those microbes that overcome the epithelial barrier and to those that invade the body after trauma. Interestingly, many commensal micro-organisms are highly beneficial to us and are instrumental in mediating physiologically important chemical transformations, whilst the cells of the epithelial barrier themselves are important for nutrient processing and uptake. Hence an immune reaction at these sites needs to be tightly controlled, tailored to the potential threat-level of the micro-organisms detected (commensals vs harmful opportunistic pathogens), with minimal damage to self, and with swift resolution and wound repair. Our lab studies the role that cells of the immune-system play at the initiation, modulation and resolution of immune-responses at epithelial barrier sites. These studies provide insights into the mechanisms that control the maintenance of a resident population of micro-organisms, promoting healthy living, and the prevention of undesirable immune-responses resulting in chronic infections, allergies, autoimmunity and an increased risk to cancer.

Summary

unavailable

Committee	Not funded via Committee
Research Topics	Diet and Health, Immunology, Microbiology
Research Priority	X – Research Priority information not available
Research Initiative	X - not in an Initiative
Funding Scheme	X – not Funded via a specific Funding Scheme

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