THE GUTThe gut is the main site for contact between microbes and the host immunity. A single lining of epithelial cells is forming the first line of defence in the intestine. The barrier function of these epithelial cells is often disturbed in IBD patients.
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MICROBESThe microbiome is the collection of microbes in the body. The trillions of bacteria in the gut are important for our nutrition and defence against harmful pathogens. The Vallance lab focuses on the beneficial commensal bacteria and infectious pathogens.
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IMMUNITYThe intestinal immune system is keeping harmful microbes at bay but wants to keep the good bugs around. The balance between protection and harmful immune responses is disturbed in IBD, where chronic inflammation in the gut is causing the problems.
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We co-exist in harmony with huge numbers of bacteria, many within our own gastrointestinal (GI) tracts. On occasion, however, particularly virulent bacteria called pathogens (Salmonella, EHEC O157:H7) infect the gastrointestinal tract and cause severe disease. To fight infections, our immune system must recognise these bacteria as harmful and trigger a protective immune response.
Some individuals appear more susceptible to infections than others, perhaps because of their immune systems are unable to recognize or effectively deal with the bacteria. Inappropriate recognition of pathogens may also contribute to chronic diseases of the GI tract such as Crohn's disease and other inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). We believe that in IBD an individual's immune system mistakes harmless bacteria for pathogens and attacks them, causing chronic inflammation. Using immunological and microbiological techniques, we're learning how our immune systems recognize bacteria in the GI tract. We're also identifying the factors that can provide resistance or susceptibility to intestinal infections, and exploring the mechanisms underlying the dysfunctional pathogen recognition that can trigger chronic IBD.
Some individuals appear more susceptible to infections than others, perhaps because of their immune systems are unable to recognize or effectively deal with the bacteria. Inappropriate recognition of pathogens may also contribute to chronic diseases of the GI tract such as Crohn's disease and other inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). We believe that in IBD an individual's immune system mistakes harmless bacteria for pathogens and attacks them, causing chronic inflammation. Using immunological and microbiological techniques, we're learning how our immune systems recognize bacteria in the GI tract. We're also identifying the factors that can provide resistance or susceptibility to intestinal infections, and exploring the mechanisms underlying the dysfunctional pathogen recognition that can trigger chronic IBD.
Colonocytes and goblet cells are the major cell types of the colonic crypt. Goblet cells are responsible for the formation of the outer and inner mucus layer through secretion of Muc2 mucin as well as other proteins (Agr2, ZG16, CCLA1, RELMĪ²) that are associated with this protective barrier.