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Crosstalk Within the Intestinal Epithelium: Aspects of Intestinal Absorption, Homeostasis, and Immunity
Liang-En Yu1, Wen-Chin Yang1, Yu-Chaun Liang1
1Agricultural Biotechnology Research Center, Academia Sinica, Taipei 115201, Taiwan.
Biomedicines
|January 8, 2025
Summary
Understanding intestinal epithelial cell (IEC) communication is key to gut health. This review highlights how IEC networks, particularly enteroendocrine cells (EECs) and Paneth cells, regulate intestinal functions and offers insights for maintaining gut health.
Area of Science:
- Gastroenterology
- Cell Biology
- Immunology
Background:
- Gut health is vital for human and animal well-being.
- Intestinal epithelial cells (IECs) govern gastrointestinal tract (GIT) functions.
- Communication among different IEC types is crucial but understudied.
Purpose of the Study:
- To overview the networks of communication among IECs.
- To elucidate the role of IEC communication in regulating intestinal functions.
- To discuss tools for investigating IEC communication.
Main Methods:
- Literature review of existing research on IEC communication.
- Analysis of signaling pathways involving various IEC types.
- Discussion of novel 3D cell models like enteroids.
Main Results:
- IECs communicate through various signaling pathways, including Notch signaling.
- Enteroendocrine cells (EECs) regulate nutrient absorption via incretins.
- IECs influence intestinal immunity and homeostasis through cell-cell interactions and cytokine release.
Conclusions:
- IEC communication networks, especially involving EECs and Paneth cells, are central to regulating intestinal functions.
- Understanding these networks is essential for developing strategies to maintain gut health.
- Enteroid models offer a promising avenue for future IEC communication research.
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