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Am J Clin Exp Immunol 2013;2(2):156-171
Review Article
Shaping the (auto)immune response in the gut: the role of intestinal
immune regulation in the prevention of type 1 diabetes
Chiara Sorini, Marika Falcone
Experimental Diabetes Unit, Department of Immunology, Transplantation and Infectious Diseases, San Raffaele
Scientific Institute, Milan, Italy
Received April 30, 2013; Accepted May 28, 2013; Epub June 15, 2013; Published June 30, 2013
Abstract: The pathogenesis of organ-specific autoimmune diseases such as Type 1 Diabetes (T1D) is regulated by
genetic and environmental factors. There is increasing evidence that environmental factors acting at the intestinal level,
with a special regard to the diverse bacterial species that constitute the microbiota, influence the course of autoimmune
diseases in tissues outside the intestine both in humans and in preclinical models. In this review we recapitulate current
knowledge on the intestinal immune system, its role in local and systemic immune responses and how multiple
environmental factors can shape these responses with pathologic or beneficial outcomes for autoimmune diseases
such T1D. (AJCEI1304002).
Keywords: Intestinal immunity, microbiota, diet, dendritic cells, regulatory T cells, Th17 cells, autoimmune diseases,
type 1 diabetes
Address correspondence to: Dr. Marika Falcone, Experimental Diabetes Unit, Department of Immunology,
Transplantation and Infectious Diseases, San Raffaele Scientific Institute, Milan, Italy. E-mail: falcone.marika@hsr.it
Review Article
Shaping the (auto)immune response in the gut: the role of intestinal
immune regulation in the prevention of type 1 diabetes
Chiara Sorini, Marika Falcone
Experimental Diabetes Unit, Department of Immunology, Transplantation and Infectious Diseases, San Raffaele
Scientific Institute, Milan, Italy
Received April 30, 2013; Accepted May 28, 2013; Epub June 15, 2013; Published June 30, 2013
Abstract: The pathogenesis of organ-specific autoimmune diseases such as Type 1 Diabetes (T1D) is regulated by
genetic and environmental factors. There is increasing evidence that environmental factors acting at the intestinal level,
with a special regard to the diverse bacterial species that constitute the microbiota, influence the course of autoimmune
diseases in tissues outside the intestine both in humans and in preclinical models. In this review we recapitulate current
knowledge on the intestinal immune system, its role in local and systemic immune responses and how multiple
environmental factors can shape these responses with pathologic or beneficial outcomes for autoimmune diseases
such T1D. (AJCEI1304002).
Keywords: Intestinal immunity, microbiota, diet, dendritic cells, regulatory T cells, Th17 cells, autoimmune diseases,
type 1 diabetes
Address correspondence to: Dr. Marika Falcone, Experimental Diabetes Unit, Department of Immunology,
Transplantation and Infectious Diseases, San Raffaele Scientific Institute, Milan, Italy. E-mail: falcone.marika@hsr.it
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