Figure 1

Schematic diagram of enteric alpha defensins functions in the immune defense of the gut. Paneth cell receptor activation by microbe's degradation products results in defensins secretion in the lumen (aimed at the regulation of bacterial colonization) and in lamina propria (in order to activate pro- and anti-inflammatory responses of the adaptive immune system cells). SC - stem cells, PC - Paneth cells, TAC - transit amplifying cells, which give rise to two partially differentiated cell lineages: progenitors of secreting cells (SEC) and progenitors of enterocytes (EC).