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The intestinal epithelial lining rapidly renews every 4 to 5 days. The renewal is facilitated by intestinal stem cells (ISCs) located at the base of the crypt– a gland located at the bottom of each villus. ISCs divide asymmetrically to form new stem cells and progenitor daughter cells. The daughter cells are called transit-amplifying (TA) cells which move upwards along the crypt and either differentiate into absorptive cells– the enterocytes or secretory cells– including the...
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The small intestine exhibits a unique histological structure that significantly enhances its function in digestion and nutrient absorption. These structures include circular folds, villi, and various specialized cells that collectively facilitate the digestion of food.
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Epithelial tissues are large sheets of cells covering all of the surfaces of the body. These surfaces can be internal or external, for example, skin, airways, the digestive tract, the urinary system, and the reproductive system. Hollow organs and body cavities that do not connect to the body's exterior, including blood vessels and serous membranes, are lined by epithelial tissue known as the endothelium.
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Erythropoietin-producing hepatocellular carcinoma receptor (Eph) and its ligand, Eph receptor-interacting protein (Ephrin) were first discovered in the human carcinoma cell line, hence the name. Ephrin-Eph interaction guides cells to reach their appropriate location in adult tissues. They also play an essential role in the immune system by helping in immune cell migration, adhesion, and activation. Based on their structure and function, Eph is divided into two classes — EphA and EphB.
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Stem cells are undifferentiated cells that divide and produce more stem cells or progenitor cells that differentiate into mature, specialized cell types. All the cells in the body are generated from stem cells in the early embryo, but small populations of stem cells are also present in many adult tissues including the bone marrow, brain, skin, and gut. These adult stem cells typically produce the various cell types found in that tissue—to replace cells that are damaged or to continuously...
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Epithelial cell contributions to intestinal immunity.

Lora V Hooper1

  • 1Department of Immunology, The University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, Texas, USA; The Howard Hughes Medical Institute, The University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, Texas, USA.

Advances in Immunology
|March 3, 2015
PubMed
Summary

The gut lining uses special cells to manage microbes, protecting against invaders while supporting beneficial bacteria. This research explores how these epithelial cells maintain gut health and prevent inflammatory diseases.

Keywords:
Antimicrobial proteinAutophagyEpitheliumInnate immunityMicrobiota

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Area of Science:

  • Immunology
  • Microbiology
  • Cell Biology

Background:

  • Mammalian intestinal epithelium interacts with diverse microbes, including pathogens and symbionts.
  • Epithelial cells face the challenge of distinguishing between harmful and beneficial microorganisms.
  • Gut epithelia have evolved sophisticated strategies to maintain host immunity.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To review mechanisms of intestinal epithelial cells in host immunity.
  • To explore how epithelial cells limit pathogen invasion.
  • To understand epithelial roles in microbial community composition and adaptive immunity.

Main Methods:

  • Review of existing literature on intestinal epithelial cell functions.
  • Analysis of cellular strategies for microbial interaction.
  • Examination of the link between epithelial function and immune homeostasis.

Main Results:

  • Epithelial cells employ diverse mechanisms to control microbial invasion.
  • Intestinal epithelia actively shape the composition of gut microbiota.
  • Epithelial cells coordinate adaptive immune responses to microorganisms.

Conclusions:

  • Intestinal epithelial cells are crucial for maintaining immune homeostasis in the gut.
  • Dysfunctional epithelial cells can lead to inflammatory diseases.
  • Understanding epithelial cell immunity provides fundamental insights into gut health.