Endocytosis of commensal antigens by intestinal epithelial cells regulates mucosal T cell homeostasis

Hooking into antigen transfer Segmented filamentous bacteria (SFB) are anaerobic, spore-forming, clostridia-like organisms that are important immune modulators in the mammalian gut. For some reason, SFB do not provoke inflammatory responses. Ladinsky et al. probed the mechanistic basis of this soothing effect in mice. SFB attach tightly to intestinal epithelial cells via a hook-like structure. Bacterial material is extruded from the hook and...