近年来,免疫系统区室化(compartmentalization of immune system)的概念逐渐引起了人们的重视。对各类免疫及非免疫器官中的免疫区室化现象进行深入研究,有助于进一步了解机体免疫系统、免疫应答以及免疫相关疾病的发病机制,并可提供新的应对策略。上皮细胞体内广泛分布,承载机体多种重要生理功能。它作为免疫防御首道防线参与免疫系统区室化形成,并在免疫反应局部微环境中,既可与免疫细胞相互作用发挥固有免疫调节作用,亦可通过自身转分化调节后续适应性免疫应答,在抵御及清除病原体入侵、调控局部炎症免疫反应以及促进组织损伤修复中,发挥了不可或缺的重要作用。病理状态下,上皮细胞又可能是免疫稳态失衡甚或肿瘤发生发展的关键因素。结合免疫系统区室化,对上皮细胞在局部微环境中的免疫调节作用作一综述,为免疫相关疾病的研究以及临床诊疗提供新的思路和策略。
Recently,compartmentalization of immune system has emerged as a new concept that attracts much attention.Further study and research in the phenomenon of immune compartmentalizaton in lymphoid and nonlymphoid organs will contribute to understand the human immune system,immunologic responses and pathogenesis of immune-related diseases,as well as provide new therapeutic strategies.The epithelial cells exist in a wide variety of tissues with multiple physiological functions.In the microenvironment where the immunologic responses take place,the epithelial cells not only act as the first barriers involed in formation of compart-mentalization of immune system,but also play a role in innate immune regulation by cell-cell interation and regulate the subsequent adaptive immunity after transdifferentiation process.Thus,they have indispensable effects on eliminating pathogens,regulating local inflammatory reactions and promoting tissue regeneration.In pathological conditions,epithelial cells are likely the key points in disbalance of homeostasis or tumorigenesis.This reviews discribes the immune compartmentalization and regulatory effects of epithelial cells in local microenviron-ment,which providing a new insight in the study of immune-related diseases and clinical therapies.