The Macrophages and Intestinal Symbiosis

Results Probl Cell Differ. 2020:69:605-616. doi: 10.1007/978-3-030-51849-3_23.

Abstract

The human intestinal tract is inhabited by trillions of microorganisms and houses the largest pool of macrophages in the human body. Being a part of the innate immune system, the macrophages, the professional phagocytes, vigorously respond to the microbial and dietary antigens present in the intestine. Because such a robust immune response poses the danger to the survival of the non-harmful and beneficial gut microbiota, the macrophages developed mechanisms of recognition and hyposensitivity toward the non-harmful/beneficial inhabitants of the gut. We will discuss the evolution and identity of some of these mechanisms in the following chapter.

MeSH terms

  • Gastrointestinal Microbiome*
  • Host Microbial Interactions*
  • Humans
  • Immunity
  • Macrophages / immunology
  • Macrophages / microbiology*
  • Symbiosis*