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Updated: Aug 21, 2025

Organoid-Derived Epithelial Monolayer: A Clinically Relevant In Vitro Model for Intestinal Barrier Function
09:40

Organoid-Derived Epithelial Monolayer: A Clinically Relevant In Vitro Model for Intestinal Barrier Function

Published on: July 29, 2021

6.4K

Intestinal epithelium in early life

Lauren C Frazer1, Misty Good2

  • 1Division of Neonatal-Perinatal Medicine, Department of Pediatrics, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, 27599, USA.

Mucosal Immunology
|November 15, 2022
PubMed

Insights

The fetal and neonatal intestine rapidly develops to support growth and defense. Disruption of this intestinal development can lead to necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC) in preterm infants.

Area of Science:

  • Gastroenterology
  • Neonatology
  • Developmental Biology

Background:

  • The fetal intestine develops in a protected environment, receiving nutrients via the placenta.
  • Upon birth, the neonatal intestinal mucosa must transition to independent host defense and nutritional support.
  • Specialized epithelial cells arise from stem cells, crucial for intestinal function from in utero development through postnatal life.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To review normal intestinal epithelial development and function in early life.
  • To explore how disruptions in these processes contribute to intestinal diseases.
  • To focus on necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC) as a key pathology in preterm neonates linked to epithelial barrier dysfunction.

Main Methods:

  • This is a review article, synthesizing existing research on intestinal development.
  • It discusses the cellular and functional aspects of the intestinal epithelium.
  • The review examines the transition from fetal to neonatal intestinal function.

Main Results:

  • Normal intestinal development involves specialized epithelial cell differentiation from stem cells.
  • The intestinal mucosa undergoes a critical transition at birth to provide defense and nutrition.
  • Epithelial barrier dysfunction is a primary cause of necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC) in preterm infants.

Conclusions:

  • Proper development and function of the intestinal epithelium are essential for infant health.
  • Interruption of normal intestinal development can lead to severe pathologies like NEC.
  • Understanding these processes is key to addressing necrotizing enterocolitis in preterm neonates.

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