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The intestinal epithelial barrier: a therapeutic target?
Matthew A Odenwald1, Jerrold R Turner1,2
1Department of Pathology, The University of Chicago, 5841 South Maryland, Chicago, Illinois 60637, USA.
Nature Reviews. Gastroenterology & Hepatology
|November 17, 2016
Summary
The intestinal epithelial barrier prevents harmful interactions while enabling nutrient transport. Understanding its loss is key to developing therapies for intestinal and systemic diseases.
Area of Science:
- Gastroenterology
- Immunology
- Cell Biology
Background:
- The intestinal epithelium forms a critical barrier between luminal contents and the host.
- Epithelial barrier integrity, maintained by cell layers and tight junctions, is vital for health.
- Compromised barrier function is linked to various intestinal and systemic diseases, but causality remains unclear.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review mechanisms of intestinal barrier loss.
- To discuss the role of intestinal epithelial barrier function in disease pathogenesis.
- To explore potential therapeutic strategies for restoring barrier function.
Main Methods:
- Literature review and synthesis of existing research.
- Analysis of data from experimental animal models.
- Discussion of clinical data and therapeutic approaches.
Main Results:
- Loss of intestinal epithelial barrier integrity is associated with numerous diseases.
- Experimental models suggest a pathogenic role for compromised epithelial integrity.
- Current clinical data are largely correlative, hindering causal interpretation.
Conclusions:
- Further understanding of barrier regulation mechanisms is needed for therapeutic development.
- Restoring epithelial barrier function presents a promising therapeutic avenue.
- Targeting the intestinal epithelial barrier could offer novel treatment strategies for various diseases.
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