Adenosine in Intestinal Epithelial Barrier Function

At the intestinal front, several lines of defense are in place to resist infection and injury, the mucus layer, gut microbiome and strong epithelial junctions, to name a few. Their collaboration creates a resilient barrier. In intestinal disorders, such as inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), barrier function is compromised, which results in rampant inflammation and tissue injury. In response to the destruction, the intestinal epithelium releases adenosine, a small but powerful nucleoside that functions as an alarm signal. Amidst the chaos of inflammation, adenosine aims to restore order. Within the scope of its effects is the ability to regulate intestinal epithelial barrier integrity. This review aims to define the contributions of adenosine to mucus production, microbiome-dependent barrier protection, tight junction dynamics, chloride secretion and acid-base balance to reinforce its importance in the intestinal epithelial barrier.