IKK/NF-kappaB signaling in intestinal epithelial cells controls immune homeostasis in the gut.

The intestinal epithelium regulates the interaction between commensal bacteria and the immune system not only by providing a physical barrier but also by expressing a number of immunoregulatory and antimicrobial peptides. Recent studies showed that inhibition of IkappaB kinase (IKK)/nuclear factor-kappaB (NF-kappaB) signaling specifically in intestinal epithelial cells in vivo causes the spontaneous development of intestinal inflammation in mice. These findings identify IKK/NF-kappaB signaling in intestinal epithelial cells as an important factor for the maintenance of epithelial integrity and immune homeostasis in the gut.