Our Interest

In the human body the gastrointestinal tract hosts a large number of bacteria that play a critical role in providing essential nutrients and metabolites. The mucosal immune system must selectively remain tolerant to the symbiotic members of the intestinal bacteria (commensals), while simultaneously poised to respond to pathogenic species. Immunoglobulin A (IgA) represents the main antibody class secreted by B lymphocytes at the mucosal surfaces, and is critical in maintaining intestinal homeostasis: patients with specific inability to produce IgA suffer from an increased incidence of gastrointestinal diseases. The mechanisms by which IgAs maintain intestinal homeostasis remain unclear.