Immune cell's role in intestinal movement may lead to better understanding of irritable bowel syndrome
Friday, July 18, 2014 - 15:30
in Health & Medicine
Learning the role of immune-system cells in healthy digestive tracts and how they interact with neighboring nerve cells may lead to new treatments for irritable bowel syndrome, researchers say. The muscular lining of the intestine contains a distinct kind of macrophage, an immune system cell that helps fight infections. The role of these cells in normal colon function is not known, although they have been linked to inflammation after abdominal surgery.