from Part III - Host cell signaling by bacteria
Published online by Cambridge University Press: 12 August 2009
INTRODUCTION
The epithelial surfaces of the skin and the intestinal, respiratory, and reproductive tracts constitute the outer frontiers of the body and are exposed continuously to the myriad microorganisms present in the external environment. Like any good frontier guard, the cells of these epithelia must carry out two important functions – establish barriers against microbial intruders and raise the alarm if the barriers are breached. The nuclear factor kappa B (NF-κB) family of transcription factors plays a vital role in these functions by controlling the expression of a number of genes involved in antimicrobial defense and in the inflammatory response. Central to this role is the ability of NF-κB to be regulated by cellular signaling pathways that are activated by a wide variety of microorganisms. This sensitivity to microbial signals allows NF-κB function to be modulated appropriately in response to any changes in the flora that is in contact with the epithelium.
This chapter reviews what is currently known about the major NF-κB-dependent inflammatory responses elicited in mammalian epithelial cells as a result of interactions with bacteria. We start with an overview of the NF-κB family and its basic regulation. In subsequent sections, we discuss the mechanisms of modulation of NF-κB function by bacteria-derived signals, the consequent alterations in cell function, and the clinical abnormalities that can result from genetic defects in NF-κB activation.
To save this book to your Kindle, first ensure [email protected] is added to your Approved Personal Document E-mail List under your Personal Document Settings on the Manage Your Content and Devices page of your Amazon account. Then enter the ‘name’ part of your Kindle email address below. Find out more about saving to your Kindle.
Note you can select to save to either the @free.kindle.com or @kindle.com variations. ‘@free.kindle.com’ emails are free but can only be saved to your device when it is connected to wi-fi. ‘@kindle.com’ emails can be delivered even when you are not connected to wi-fi, but note that service fees apply.
Find out more about the Kindle Personal Document Service.
To save content items to your account, please confirm that you agree to abide by our usage policies. If this is the first time you use this feature, you will be asked to authorise Cambridge Core to connect with your account. Find out more about saving content to Dropbox.
To save content items to your account, please confirm that you agree to abide by our usage policies. If this is the first time you use this feature, you will be asked to authorise Cambridge Core to connect with your account. Find out more about saving content to Google Drive.