Development of relationship between intestinal commensal bacteria and intestinal epithelial barrier

After birth,human intestinal tract mucosa is exposed to a large community of commensal and pathogenic bacteria. As a first line of defense,the intestinal epithelial barrier (IEB) kills the pathogen by signaling to the innate immune system, through pattern recognition receptors, while it produces protective respond towards the commensal bacteria. Intestinal epithelial cells play an important role in forming immune tolerance to the commensal bacteria and make intestinal homeostasis. Commensal bacteria can resist the pathogenic bacteria invasion. The signals of commensal are required for development of intestinal epithelial barrier and intestinal innate and adaptive immunity. It is essential for the host to have a balance between the commensal bacteria and intestinal tract,once the balance is broken, the intestinal inflammation disease will be caused. Thus ,this review will discuss the relationship between intestinal commensal bacteria and intestinal epithelial barrier in several aspects, such as the role of the commensal bacteria, the mechanism of producing commensal tolerance by IEB and the disease caused by imbalance between the commensal and IEB. Key words: Commensal bacteria;  Intestinal epithelial barrier;  Intestinal epithelial cell;  Immune tolerance