The yin and yang of intestinal epithelial cells in controlling dendritic cell function

Recent work suggests that dendritic cells ( DCs) in mucosal tissues are " educated " by intestinal epithelial cells ( IECs) to suppress inflammation and promote immunological tolerance. After attack by pathogenic microorganisms, however, " non- educated " DCs are recruited from nearby areas, such as the dome of Peyer ' s patches ( PPs) and the blood, to initiate inflammation and the ensuing immune response to the invader. Differential epithelial cell ( EC) responses to commensals and pathogens may control these two tolorogenic and immunogenic functions of DCs.