Host-vibrio cholerae Interaction : Modulation of Cytokine Responses in Human Intestinal Epithelial Cells Following v. cholerae Infection

Abstract

Human body is in continuous contact with microbes/pathogens. Although many microbes are beneficial or harmless to humans, pathogenic microbes are a threat and can cause severe infections. Mechanical shield against microbes is provided by rigid skin and sticky mucosal surfaces. Moreover, secreted antimicrobial compounds, enzymes and low pH offer further protection at these sites. However, these primary defense systems are often inadequate as, during the course of evolution, pathogenic microbes have developed means to overcome these barriers and invade. More efficient and powerful antimicrobial defense is provided by the immune system, which can be functionally divided into two parts. The innate immunity acts rapidly and nonspecifically towards foreign components. Adaptive immunity, on the other hand, requires time to develop but it is specific to foreign antigens and generates immunological memory