Jove
Visualize
Contact Us
JoVE
x logofacebook logolinkedin logoyoutube logo
ABOUT JoVE
OverviewLeadershipBlogJoVE Help Center
AUTHORS
Publishing ProcessEditorial BoardScope & PoliciesPeer ReviewFAQSubmit
LIBRARIANS
TestimonialsSubscriptionsAccessResourcesLibrary Advisory BoardFAQ
RESEARCH
JoVE JournalMethods CollectionsJoVE Encyclopedia of ExperimentsArchive
EDUCATION
JoVE CoreJoVE BusinessJoVE Science EducationJoVE Lab ManualFaculty Resource CenterFaculty Site
Terms & Conditions of Use
Privacy Policy
Policies

Related Concept Videos

Digestive Functions of the Large Intestine01:20

Digestive Functions of the Large Intestine

2.2K
The large intestine is where the final stages of digestion happen. When the cecum receives chyme, it contains undigested carbohydrates that undergo fermentation. Gut bacteria ferment these carbohydrates to produce short-chain fatty acids that provide some energy and help synthesize essential vitamins.
As the chyme moves to the colon, it triggers two characteristic sluggish contractions - haustral churning and mass peristalsis. Haustral churning involves the rhythmic contraction and relaxation...
2.2K
Anatomy of the Intestines01:23

Anatomy of the Intestines

87.4K
Although digestion of proteins, carbohydrates, and lipids may begin in the stomach, it is completed in the intestine. The absorption of nutrients, water, and electrolytes from food and drink also occurs in the intestine. The intestines can be divided into two structurally distinct organs—the small and large intestines.
Small Intestines
The small intestine is an ~7 meter-long tube with an inner diameter of just 2.5 cm. Since most nutrients are absorbed here, the inner lining of the...
87.4K
Small Intestine01:15

Small Intestine

3.9K
The small intestine is primarily responsible for digestion and nutrient absorption. It spans from the pyloric sphincter to the ileocecal valve and connects to the large intestine.
The small intestine is divided into three main sections - the duodenum, jejunum, and ileum. The duodenum, approximately 25 cm long, is nearest the stomach. It acts as a 'mixing bowl,' where chyme (partially digested food) blends with digestive enzymes from the pancreas and liver. The duodenum's unique...
3.9K
Large Intestine01:09

Large Intestine

5.0K
The large intestine is divided into three main regions: the cecum, colon, and rectum. Extending from the ileocecal valve to the anus, it frames the small intestine on three sides.
The ileocecal sphincter, a mucous membrane fold, guards the opening from the ileum to the large intestine. This valve permits material from the small intestine to pass into the large intestine. Attached to the ileocecal valve is the cecum. This small pouch, approximately 6 cm long, has a twisted, coiled tube known as...
5.0K
Cancers Originate from Somatic Mutations in a Single Cell02:21

Cancers Originate from Somatic Mutations in a Single Cell

14.9K
Cancer arises from mutations in the critical genes that allow healthy cells to escape cell cycle regulation and acquire the ability to proliferate indefinitely. Though originating from a single mutation event in one of the originator cells, cancer progresses when the mutant cell lines continue to gain more and more mutations, and finally, become malignant. For example, chronic myelogenous leukemia (CML) develops initially as a non-lethal increase in white blood cells, which progressively...
14.9K
Histology of the Large Intestine01:26

Histology of the Large Intestine

3.1K
The large intestine, a vital component of the gastrointestinal tract, is structured with four main layers: the mucosa, submucosa, muscularis, and serosa. Each layer performs a distinct role in facilitating the smooth functioning of the large intestine.
The innermost mucosa layer comprises simple columnar epithelium, lamina propria, and muscularis mucosae. This layer is primarily populated with absorptive cells, tasked with water absorption, and goblet cells, responsible for secreting mucus to...
3.1K

You might also read

Related Articles

Articles linked to this work by shared authors, journal, and citation graph.

Sort by
Same author

IL-4 treatment induces apoptosis of blood monocytes and proliferation of recruited injury-associated macrophages to resolve liver injury.

Cell reports·2026
Same author

Vγ1 γδ T cells steer airway macrophages toward a profibrotic response in an autochthonous lung cancer mouse model.

Science advances·2026
Same author

TWEAK is increased in ulcerative colitis and contributes to fibroblast-mediated monocyte activation via heterologous non-canonical NF-kB/STAT3 signaling.

Journal of Crohn's & colitis·2026
Same author

Dynamic changes to the intestinal environment occur throughout recovery from experimental ischemic stroke.

Journal of cerebral blood flow and metabolism : official journal of the International Society of Cerebral Blood Flow and Metabolism·2026
Same author

Adenophages are an atypical macrophage population in exocrine glands sustained by ILC2-derived GM-CSF.

Nature immunology·2025
Same author

Heterogeneity of the intestinal mononuclear phagocyte compartment in health and inflammatory bowel disease.

Science immunology·2025

Related Experiment Video

Updated: Feb 1, 2026

Isolation and Characterization of Dendritic Cells and Macrophages from the Mouse Intestine
09:25

Isolation and Characterization of Dendritic Cells and Macrophages from the Mouse Intestine

Published on: May 21, 2012

39.9K

Origin, Differentiation, and Function of Intestinal Macrophages.

Calum C Bain1, Anika Schridde1

  • 1Centre for Inflammation Research, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, United Kingdom.

Frontiers in Immunology
|December 13, 2018
PubMed
Summary

Intestinal macrophages are crucial for gut health but also linked to inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). This review explores their diversity, origins, and how the gut environment shapes their function, especially during inflammation.

Keywords:
colitisinflammationintestinemacrophagemonocyteontogeny

More Related Videos

Culture of Macrophage Colony-stimulating Factor Differentiated Human Monocyte-derived Macrophages
06:46

Culture of Macrophage Colony-stimulating Factor Differentiated Human Monocyte-derived Macrophages

Published on: June 30, 2016

31.0K
Fluorescence-mediated Tomography for the Detection and Quantification of Macrophage-related Murine Intestinal Inflammation
07:05

Fluorescence-mediated Tomography for the Detection and Quantification of Macrophage-related Murine Intestinal Inflammation

Published on: December 15, 2017

8.8K

Related Experiment Videos

Last Updated: Feb 1, 2026

Isolation and Characterization of Dendritic Cells and Macrophages from the Mouse Intestine
09:25

Isolation and Characterization of Dendritic Cells and Macrophages from the Mouse Intestine

Published on: May 21, 2012

39.9K
Culture of Macrophage Colony-stimulating Factor Differentiated Human Monocyte-derived Macrophages
06:46

Culture of Macrophage Colony-stimulating Factor Differentiated Human Monocyte-derived Macrophages

Published on: June 30, 2016

31.0K
Fluorescence-mediated Tomography for the Detection and Quantification of Macrophage-related Murine Intestinal Inflammation
07:05

Fluorescence-mediated Tomography for the Detection and Quantification of Macrophage-related Murine Intestinal Inflammation

Published on: December 15, 2017

8.8K

Area of Science:

  • Immunology
  • Gastroenterology
  • Cell Biology

Background:

  • Macrophages are vital for intestinal homeostasis and immunity.
  • Paradoxically, they contribute to gastrointestinal diseases like inflammatory bowel disease (IBD).
  • Intestinal macrophages are potential therapeutic targets.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To review recent advances in understanding intestinal macrophage heterogeneity and ontogeny.
  • To explore factors regulating macrophage origins.
  • To discuss the influence of the intestinal environment on macrophage identity and function.

Main Methods:

  • Literature review of recent scientific advances.
  • Synthesis of data on macrophage heterogeneity and ontogeny.
  • Analysis of environmental imprinting on macrophage phenotype and function.

Main Results:

  • Intestinal macrophages exhibit significant heterogeneity.
  • Local gut environment critically shapes macrophage phenotype and function.
  • Macrophage characteristics change during inflammation and infection.

Conclusions:

  • Further research is needed on intestinal macrophage origins and regulation.
  • Understanding macrophage plasticity is key for IBD therapies.
  • Outstanding questions in macrophage biology require focused investigation.