09 Jul 2018 --- It is well known that “good bacteria” work with our immune system to keep us healthy and new research, published in Immunity, has identified mechanisms that can help explain why. Researchers found a cellular mechanism by which good bacteria can help the gut stay healthy and protect it from inflammatory bowel diseases. When microbiota, or good bacteria, interact with both the epithelial cells lining the gut and cells of the immune system to ward off disease, the immune responses can be balanced, thereby protecting it from unwanted inflammation.