Lysozyme: A Double-Edged Sword in the Intestine

Trends Immunol. 2020 Dec;41(12):1054-1056. doi: 10.1016/j.it.2020.10.010. Epub 2020 Nov 3.

Abstract

Lysozyme-secreting Paneth cells are abnormally present in the distal colons of patients with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), along with high amounts of lysozyme in feces. In a recent article in Immunity, Yu et al. show that lysozyme-mediated processing of luminal bacteria in the colon triggers a proinflammatory response and predisposes mice to experimental IBD.

Keywords: colitis; immune response; inflammatory bowel diseases; lysozyme; microbiota.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Comment

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Colon
  • Expectorants
  • Humans
  • Inflammatory Bowel Diseases*
  • Mice
  • Microbiota*
  • Muramidase
  • Paneth Cells

Substances

  • Expectorants
  • Muramidase