Publications by authors named "Maria Ennamorati"
Intestinal microbes influence development of thymic lymphocytes in early life.
Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A
February 2020
Article Synopsis
- The thymus is responsible for producing T cells, with their development regulated by specific transcription factors and influenced by gut microbiota during early life.
- Research shows that gut microbes affect the balance of certain T cell types in the thymus, highlighting the role of intestinal flora in immune system development.
- Changes in thymic T cell populations due to early microbial exposure can have lasting impacts, potentially increasing vulnerability to immune-related diseases in adulthood.
The balanced interplay between epithelial barrier, immune system, and microbiota maintains gut homeostasis, while disruption of this interplay may lead to inflammation. Paracellular permeability is governed by intercellular tight-junctions (TJs). Zonulin is, to date, the only known physiological regulator of intestinal TJs.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFEnteric bacterial communities are established early in life and influence immune cell development and function. The neonatal microbiota is susceptible to numerous external influences including antibiotics use and diet, which impacts susceptibility to autoimmune and inflammatory diseases. Disorders such as Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD) are characterized by a massive influx of immune cells to the intestines.
View Article and Find Full Text PDF