Immune system and microbiome in the esophagus: implications for understanding inflammatory diseases

Tanay Kaymak; Petr Hruz; Jan Hendrik Niess

doi:10.1111/febs.16103

Immune system and microbiome in the esophagus: implications for understanding inflammatory diseases

FEBS J. 2022 Aug;289(16):4758-4772. doi: 10.1111/febs.16103. Epub 2021 Jul 13.

Authors

Tanay Kaymak¹, Petr Hruz², Jan Hendrik Niess^{1

2}

Affiliations

¹ Department of Biomedicine, University of Basel, Switzerland.
² Clarunis - University Center for Gastrointestinal and Liver Diseases Basel, Switzerland.

Abstract

The gastrointestinal tract is the largest compartment of the body's immune system exposed to microorganisms, structural components and metabolites, antigens derived from the diet, and pathogens. Most studies have focused on immune responses in the stomach, the small intestine, and the colon, but the esophagus has remained an understudied anatomic immune segment. Here, we discuss the esophagus' anatomical and physiological distinctions that may account for inflammatory esophageal diseases.

Keywords: dendritic cells; eosinophilic esophagitis; esophagus; microbiome; mucosal immunity.

Publication types

Review
Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

Esophagus*
Immune System
Intestine, Small
Microbiota*
Stomach