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An interesting and somewhat technical review article on T cells and the
intestinal mucosal appears in the latest Nature Reviews Immunology.  NRI
appears to be giving free access to the full text and PDF version during
the month of April only.  I was able to access the full text of this
article free.  This article has some good illustrations and descriptions of
the immune system at the gut mucosa, including gut-associated lymphoid
tissues (GALT), dendritic cells, and, of course, T cells.

For those of you subscribing to Scott Adams Celiac.com newsletter, I have
an article in the new spring issue, "Are Commensal Bacteria with a Taste
for Gluten the Missing Link in the Pathogenesis of Celiac Disease?"  This
Nature Reviews Immunology article provides good further reading and
illustrations.

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Nature Reviews Immunology April 2004 Vol 4 No 4 Pages 290-300

Nature Reviews Immunology website:
http://www.nature.com/nri/

Full-text (paste adress together on one line):
http://www.nature.com/cgi-taf/DynaPage.taf?
file=/nri/journal/v4/n4/full/nri1333_fs.html

ACQUIRED AND NATURAL MEMORY T CELLS JOIN FORCES AT THE MUCOSAL FRONT LINE

Hilde Cheroutre & Loui Madakamutil

Abstract

The intestine is fundamental for the uptake of fluids and nutrients, but it
also provides a main entrance for pathogens. This unique challenge has
imposed an important evolutionary drive for distinctive specialization of
the mucosal defence mechanisms. A hallmark of the modern immune system is
its ability to generate antigen-specific memory T cells, which can provide
immediate, potent and long-lasting protection. The high demand for
effective protection, which is also compatable with vital functions of the
intestine, has ensured that unique subsets of memory T cells have evolved
at the mucosal front line. This review discusses the various mucosal T-cell
subsets, and the new insights we have gained in understanding their
specific differentiation and unique functions.

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