Michael Smith Laboratories, 2185 East Mall, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Columbia, V6T 1Z4, Canada
Abstract:
The intestinal epithelium functions as a physical barrier separating luminal microorganisms from the underlying immune system. There is compelling evidence that several intestinal diseases are associated with the translocation of commensal bacteria across the epithelial barrier. Recent work has identified a novel mechanism by which normally non-invasive enteric bacteria breach the intestinal epithelium during periods of inflammation.