Autoantibodies and an immune-based rat model of inflammatory bowel disease

Figure 1 intestinal barrier dysfunction. Left (normal conditions): no or few commensal bacteria can pass the normal epithelial barrier and those that pass will be swallowed by interstitial macrophages and dendritic cells; it is not necessary to call for adaptive immune cells. Right: in normal situations, if something breaks the barrier (e.g. pathogens and barrier breaker chemicals like ethanol 30%) lots of commensal bacteria in the lumen will pass through the epithelial layer. This acute invasion will be controlled with recruiting of neutrophils and lymphocytes. Even after activation of B cells or T cells, if the defect in barrier function is resolved, apoptotic pathways will control the activated colonies of lymphocytes.