Publications by authors named "Ifor Williams"

The balance between bacterial colonization and its containment in the intestine is indispensable for the symbiotic relationship between humans and their bacteria. One component to maintain homeostasis at the mucosal surfaces is immunoglobulin A (IgA), the most abundant immunoglobulin in mammals. Several studies have revealed important characteristics of poly-reactive IgA, which is produced naturally without commensal bacteria.

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Mucosal immune responses in the inductive lymphoid tissues of the intestine begin with uptake of particulate antigens, including components of the gut microbiota by specialized antigen sampling M cells. M cells represent a distinct lineage of enterocytes that arise from crypt stem cells in response to the cytokine receptor of NF-κB ligand (RANKL). Full differentiation of M cells requires the transcription factor Spi-B to yield mature M cells that express multiple receptors for bacteria including glycoprotein 2.

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's second anniversary invites a pause for editorial reflections.

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