Nonspecific or innate immunity is the front line of host defense

against microorganisms in the gut and other sites

A fundamental mechanism used by a host to avoid microbial
infection is performed by the epithelial barriers, which exclude
most (>99%) proteins in the intestinal tract
Secretions provide another major form of nonspecific immunity
in the GI tract. For example:
the low pH of the stomach-- facilitates destruction of
pathogens, as well as of their toxins and immunogenic
macromolecules.
Bile acids and pancreatic secretions that contain proteases
such as trypsin and carboxypeptidase also can function as
protectants against microbial pathogens.
mucus provides a vehicle for antibacterial substances
(secretory immunoglobulin A, lysozyme, lactoferrin) and
prevents passage of large molecular weight materials into
enterocytes.
 When a microbial invader overcomes nonspecific
immune defenses, a mammalian host can activate a
system that recognizes and then inactivates a foreign
material or antigen that is then removed or destroyed
Fundamental to this specific or acquired immune
system are capacities (1) to recognize minute
differences in the chemical structure of an antigen and
(2) to remember these structures for long periods of
time.
Antigens are typically high molecular weight (> 10,000)
proteins or polysaccharides. Components of bacteria,
fungi, and viruses such as cell wall, flagella, capsule,
and toxins are excellent antigens and are multivalent,
that is, have more than one antigenic determinant or
recognition site.
 Abbas et af. (1991) suggested that
specific responses could be divided into
(1) a cognitive phase, (2) an activation
phase, and (3) an effector phase
The cognitive phase refers to the binding
of foreign antigens to specific receptors
on lymphocytes that are present prior to
antigen stimulation.
The activation phase refers to the series
of events that is induced in lympho-cytes
as a consequence of specific antigen
recognition. Activation events include
proliferation, which leads to expansion of
antigen-specific lymphocytes and
differentiation from cognitive to effector
functions. Activation requires antigen as
well as helper or accessory signals
from another cell for a complete signal.
Finally, the effector phase represents the
active functional manifestations of
antigen recognition and activation.
 The movement of high molecular weight antigens
from the gut lumen to the blood circulation has
been demonstrated experimentally in humans
and animals
Prior to uptake, the antigens must resist
proteolytic activity in the lumen and penetrate
the mucus/IgA layer to interact with the various
absorptive cell types.
Factors that disrupt mucosal barrier function and
cause extensive uptake include immature
gastrointestinal function, malnutrition,
inflammation, and immunoglobulin deficiencies
Macromolecules may be taken up by the gut by at
least two distinct mechanisms
 Many food- and waterborne microbial agents can
colonize the GI tract and induce gastroenteritis.
Endogenous components or secreted products of
bacteria can cause a variety of toxic effects.
Staphylococcal enterotoxin and botulinum toxin must
survive ingestion and evade GI immunity in the gut
prior to inducing their specific toxic effects.
Mycotoxins are low molecular weight secondary
metabolites that are produced by various fungi and
frequently are found in foods. Because they resist
digestion and processing, mycotoxins can enter into
the intestinal tract; because of their size, they evade
normal GI immune mechanisms of protection. Their
toxic effects are variable and can include cancer,
impaired reproduction, and gastroenteritis.
 Although foods contain a multitude of
proteins, very few of these can trigger IgE-
mediated food allergies.
Typical food allergens are naturally occurring
water-soluble proteins that are heat and acid
stable and resist digestion.
Taylor (1992) has noted that, with the
exception of cows milk proteins and egg
proteins, most allergenic proteins in foods
are of plant or marine origin.
 When exogenous chemicals interact with lymphoid
tissue, immune homeostasis might be disrupted
and induce undesirable immunotoxic effects
such as:
(1) immunosuppression,
(2) uncontrolled proliferation,
(3) impaired host resistance,
(4) allergy,
(5) autoimmunity

Chemicals that are potentially immunotoxic in the

gut might be found among natural components,
additives, growth promoters, animal drugs, and
various contaminants
 Infeksi saluran pencernakan
sering terjadi pada individu
yang kekurangan gizi
Kekurangan Energi Protein
merupakan penyebab
utama imunodefisiensi.
Specific immunologic
effects include thymic
atrophy, decreased spleen
weight, decreased T cell
counts, and impaired
production of cytokines,
thymic hormones, and
antibodies. Thus, both
cellular and humoral immu-
nity are affected.
 Innate and specific defense mechanisms must be well developed for the
epithelium to function as an impermeable barrier to proteins and their
fragments. However, such defense mechanisms are not fully developed in the
infant during the postpartum period, particularly when born prematurely
Newborn infants are especially susceptible to pathologic penetration by
deleterious intestinal contents because of this delayed maturation of the
mucosal barrier.
Repercussions of this immaturity include enhanced susceptibility to infection,
potential for hypersensitivity reactions, and formation of immune complexes.
In some situations, these conditions can be fatal.
Clinical conditions that have been associated with an immature mucosal
barrier include allergy, necrotizing enterocolitis, dermatitis, malabsorption,
sudden infant death syndrome, and toxigenic diarrhea in early childhood, as
well as inflammatory bowel disease, nephritis, and autoimmunity in
adulthood
Human milk is a natural means of passively assisting a sensitive neonate
against the hazards of a deficient GI immune system. Ingestion of colostrum
decreases antigen penetration . Intake of colostrum apparently enhances the
maturation of mucosal epithelial cells and accelerates the development of an
intact mucosal barrier.
 Reduction or Elimination of Microbial
Pathogens
Ingestion of Probiotic Cultures
Immunostimulatory Properties of Ingested
Bacteria
 arifhartoyo@gmail.com
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