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American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, Vol. 78, No. 4, 675-683, October 2003
© 2003 American Society for Clinical Nutrition

Special Article

The intestine and its microflora are partners for the protection of the host: report on the Danone Symposium "The Intelligent Intestine," held in Paris, June 14, 20021,2

Pierre Bourlioux, Berthold Koletzko, Francisco Guarner and Véronique Braesco

1 From the Microbiology Department, Paris Sud XI University, Chatenay-Malabry, France (PB); DANONE Vitapole Research Center, Palaiseau, France (VB); the Paediatric Department, Ludwig-Maximilians, University of Munich and the Division of Metabolic Diseases and Nutrition, Dr Von Hauner Children’s Hospital, Munich, Germany (BK); and the Gastroenterology Department, Digestive System Research Unit, Hospital Vall d’Hebron, Barcelona, Spain (FG).

The intestine is an extremely complex living system that participates in the protection of the host through a strong defense against aggressions from the external environment. This defensive task is based on 3 constituents that are in permanent contact and dialog with each other: the microflora, mucosal barrier, and local immune system. We review herein current knowledge about these important functions. The gut microflora play a major role against exogenous bacteria through colonization resistance, but the mechanism of action is not yet established, although it is linked to the bacteria colonizing the gut. This colonization involves bacteria-bacteria dialog, bacteria-mucins interactions, and bacteria-colonocytes cross-talk associated with environmental factors. The intestinal mucosa is a cellular barrier and the main site of interaction with foreign substances and exogenous microorganisms. It is a complex physicochemical structure consisting of a mucous layer linked to cellular and stromal components that participate in the defense of the host through mucosal blood flow, mucosal secretions, epithelial cell functionals, surface hydrophobicity, and defensin production. The intestine is the primary immune organ of the body represented by the gut-associated lymphoid tissue through innate and acquired immunity. This immune system can tolerate dietary antigens and the gut-colonizing bacteria and recognizes and rejects enteropathogenic microorganisms that may challenge the body’s defenses. In cooperation with these endogenous barriers, some in-transit bacteria, such as probiotics, can act as partners of the defense system of the intestine.

Key Words: Gastrointestinal tract • microflora • gut colonization • quorum sensing • mucins • cross-talk • mucosal barrier • defensins • gut-associated lymphoid tissue • innate immunity • acquired immunity • toll-like receptors • probiotics • host defense • lactic acid bacteria • intestinal epithelium




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