Abstract
iCD8α cells: living at the edge of the intestinal immune system.
Highlights
In order to survive, organisms must distinguish the dangers and growth opportunities that their surrounding environments provide
Recent studies in immunology have focused on subsets of innate lymphoid cells (ILC) [2], and several of these cell types have been identified within the intraepithelial lymphocytes (IEL) compartment
What is the functional relevance of iCD8α cells? Based on their anatomical location, iCD8α cells would be expected to interact with microorganisms present in the lumen of the intestine, especially those microbes that may directly damage the epithelium
Summary
Organisms must distinguish the dangers and growth opportunities that their surrounding environments provide. Recent studies in immunology have focused on subsets of innate lymphoid cells (ILC) [2], and several of these cell types have been identified within the IEL compartment. This compartment contains an ILC population that expresses the natural killer (NK) cell markers NKp46 and NK1.1, and produces the anti-viral and pro-inflammatory cytokine interferon (IFN)-γ [3].
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