Innate Immunity Including Epithelial and Nonspecific Host Factors

Surviving host innate immunity

The entry of metastatic cancer cells into the liver can trigger a rapid inflammatory response with increased local production of tumor necrosis factor α (TNFα). We investigated the molecular mechanisms that protect tumor cells from TNFα-induced apoptosis. A molecular crosstalk between the TNFα/TNFR/NFκB and IGF-IR/PI3-K/AKT pathways was identified that leads to autocrine IL-6/IL-6R/STAT3 signal...

Phagocytosis, Innate Immunity, and Host–Pathogen Specificity

In mammals, phagocytosis is essential for a variety of biological events, including tissue remodeling and the continuous clearance of dying cells. Furthermore, phagocytosis represents an early and crucial event in triggering host defenses against invading pathogens, which is the focus of this commentary. Phagocytosis comprises a series of events, starting with the binding and recognition of par...

Human Intestinal Epithelial Cells in Innate Immunity

Studying host-pathogen interactions and innate immunity in Caenorhabditis elegans.

The genetic analysis of mechanisms of pathogen resistance in the nematode Caenorhabditis elegans has revealed a role for evolutionarily conserved signaling pathways that are required for innate immunity in a wide range of organisms, from worms to mammals. C. elegans represents one of the more simple host organisms in which mechanisms of host defense can be dissected, and the use of C. elegans p...

Innate and adaptive immunity in host-microbiota mutualism.

Healthy individuals live in peaceful co-existence with an immense load of intestinal bacteria. This symbiosis is advantageous for both the host and the bacteria. For the host it provides access to otherwise undigestible nutrients and colonization resistance against pathogens. In return the bacteria receive an excellent nutrient habitat. The mucosal immune adaptations to the presence of this com...