Commentary
Giulia Marelli and Paola Allav
Abstract
Colonic mucosa is a very peculiar immunological site daily exposed to a huge amount of harmless antigens. It is important for the immune system to be able to recognize this innocuous antigens from pathogens. Among all the immune cells, CX3CR1+ macrophages exploit this critical role. In this commentary on our recent publication on Immunobiology we want to highlight the crucial and unique role of these macrophages in order to maintain homeostasis and avoid the rise of aberrant inflammation and tissue damage.