Intestinal Barrier in Human Health and Disease

• Published in: International journal of environmental research and public health Vol. 18; no. 23; p. 12836
• Main Authors: Di Tommaso, Natalia, Gasbarrini, Antonio, Ponziani, Francesca Romana
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Switzerland MDPI AG 06.12.2021; MDPI
• Subjects: Adaptive immunity; Autoimmunity; Bacteria; Cytokines; Dysbiosis; Fatty acids; Gastrointestinal Microbiome; Gut-brain axis; Homeostasis; Humans; Immune system; Immunoglobulins; Inflammation; Inflammatory bowel disease; Intestinal Mucosa; Kinases; Metabolism; Metabolites; Microbiota; Microorganisms; Nutrients; Pathogens; Proteins; Review; Small intestine; microbiota; gut–brain axis; autoimmunity; intestinal barrier; gut vascular barrier; endotoxemia; gut–liver axis; dysbiosis
• ISSN: 1660-4601; 1661-7827; 1660-4601
• DOI: 10.3390/ijerph182312836

The intestinal mucosa provides a selective permeable barrier for nutrient absorption and protection from external factors. It consists of epithelial cells, immune cells and their secretions. The gut microbiota participates in regulating the integrity and function of the intestinal barrier in a homeostatic balance. Pathogens, xenobiotics and food can disrupt the intestinal barrier, promoting systemic inflammation and tissue damage. Genetic and immune factors predispose individuals to gut barrier dysfunction, and changes in the composition and function of the gut microbiota are central to this process. The progressive identification of these changes has led to the development of the concept of ‘leaky gut syndrome’ and ‘gut dysbiosis’, which underlie the relationship between intestinal barrier impairment, metabolic diseases and autoimmunity. Understanding the mechanisms underlying this process is an intriguing subject of research for the diagnosis and treatment of various intestinal and extraintestinal diseases.