Mucosal immunology
Mucosal immunology is the study of the portion of the immune system which provides protection to an organism's various mucous membranes from invasion by potentially pathogenic microbes. It provides three main functions:[1] protecting the mucous membrane against infection; preventing the uptake of antigens, microorganisms, and other foreign materials; and moderating the organism's immune response to that material.
At birth, the neonate's mucosal immune system is relatively undeveloped, but the colonization of intestinal flora accelerates its development.
Because of its front-line status within the immune system, the mucosal immune system is being investigated for use in vaccines for various afflictions,[2] including AIDS[3][4][5][6] and allergies.[7]
References
- ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
- ↑ Mucosal Immunity and Vaccines, August 2003
- ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
- ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
- ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
- ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
- ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
