Adaptation of the whole microbial normal flora residing in a host to its natural habitat over an evolutionary peroid has resulted in peaceful coexistence with mutual benefits for both microbiota and host in steady state. This symbiotic relationship between host and microbiota has a significant impact on shaping the immune response in the host to achieve an immune tolerance to microbiota but ret...

BACKGROUND Th1/Th2 cell balance is thought to be shifted toward a Th2-type immune response not only by malignancy but also by surgical stress. The aim of this study was to estimate perioperative immune responses with respect to the Th1/Th2 balance in patients with gastrointestinal cancer. METHODS Ninety-four patients who underwent abdominal surgeries were divided into three groups: gastric re...

Beyond the metabolic functions, the liver recently has been defined as an organ of immune system (IS), which have central regulatory role for innate and adaptive immunity. The liver keeps a delicate balance between hepatic screening of pathogenic antigens and immune tolerance to self-antigens. Herbal treatments with immunological effects have potential to alter this hepatic immune balance towar...

The lymphatic and immune systems work together to detect and destroy foreign substances and microorganisms that may disturb homeostasis. In addition, the lymphatic system aids the cardiovascular system in maintaining fluid balance. Disorders of the lymphatic system are therefore often associated with disorders of immunity and fluid balance. Such interactions must be kept in mind in the diagnosi...

The relative activity of regulatory versus conventional CD4(+) T cells ultimately maintains the delicate balance between immune tolerance and inflammation. At the molecular level, the activity of phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI3K) and its downstream positive and negative regulators has a major role in controlling the balance between immune regulation and activation of different subsets of eff...