Aug. 8, 2013

 
<https://www.mail.ubc.ca/owa/redir.aspx?C=XlQ4mgbipUyOrBHEjcAKehfIzWACa9AIUm
5mYBOD0SORR1LBP9J-msJvlHVxqtfCouLIk8f1C80.&URL=http%3a%2f%2fubc.us2.list-man
age1.com%2ftrack%2fclick%3fu%3d41d2f5a5ac495d104c6619f5f%26id%3d35d844c19b%2
6e%3d5339eca11b> Study reveals role of "peacekeeper" in the gut

A new study has shone a spotlight on the peacekeeping mechanisms in our
intestines.

A protein, called SIGIRR, is produced by the cells that line the intestines.
It supresses the cells' immune response to bacteria.

"We expected that when SIGIRR was removed, our intestines would trigger a
stronger immune response to a gut infection, affording us more protection
against the infection," says Prof. Bruce Vallance, an associate professor in
UBC's Dept. of Pediatrics and a scientist at the Child & Family Research
Institute at BC Children's Hospital. "Instead, the stronger immune response
also killed the resident bacteria in our gut."

As it turns out, gut flora - microorganisms that live in our digestive tract
- literally compete for living space and nutrients with some invading
bacterial pathogens. Without our gut flora, bad bacteria that are more
resistant to our immune system can rapidly take over and wreak havoc,
causing infection or even Inflammatory Bowel Disease.

By dampening our immune response to allow the good bacteria to take up
residence in our gut, SIGIRR maintains the delicate balance that keeps our
gut healthy, says Vallance, who holds the Foundation for Children with
Intestinal & Liver Disorders (CH.I.L.D.) Chair in Pediatric
Gastroenterology.

"Maintaining a healthy gut flora by limiting antibiotic use or even taking
probiotics may be important in fortifying this important defense barrier in
our intestines."

The study is published online today in the journal PLOS Pathogens.
Microscopic images of bacteria invading intestinal cells are available at
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age2.com%2ftrack%2fclick%3fu%3d41d2f5a5ac495d104c6619f5f%26id%3ddd77a0cdc0%2
6e%3d5339eca11b> http://wp.me/p3AnxO-rKh.

 

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