When does gut flora become pathogenic?

Andrew S. Louka alouka at writeme.com
Tue Jun 30 04:51:16 EST 1998

At 01:41 +0100 30-06-98, Robin Barclay wrote:

> They (the normally "non-pathogenic") become pathogenic when they (or their
> products) translocate across the gut wall - e.g. endotoxins in septic shock

But my point is, how does the immune system recognise what should be seen
as non-self (or danger), and what should not.  Translocation of endotoxins
across the gut wall is well documented and easy to understand, but I am
more interested in how milk proteins, for example, are not regarded as a
serious threat in a newborn child, despite the overwhelming quantities
that are consumed.  The milk proteins could not have been presented as
self during T cell selection in the thymus.

More information about the Immuno mailing list