Developmental aspects of the mucosal immune system: Role of external environment, mucosal microflora and milk

Abstract

The mucosal surfaces of the upper airway, the lower respiratory, and the gastrointestinal tracts are constantly exposed to an overwhelming and often changing spectrum of environmental components, including, microbial organisms, dietary constituents, and a variety of chemical and other toxic macromolecules. However, a symbiotic relationship between mammalian mucosal surfaces and the external environment has evolved over millions of years of biological, and more recent societal and cultural evolution in an elegant manner, which is by and large still conducive to the survival of the mammalian species, and at the same time designed to retain the integrity of the environmental ecosystem. © 2009 Springer Netherlands.