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Updated: Jan 9, 2026
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Electric Cell-substrate Impedance Sensing for the Quantification of Endothelial Proliferation, Barrier Function, and Motility
Published on: March 28, 2014
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IEL-IEC circuit in barrier immunity and beyond
Siyan Che1, Yue Wang2, Zi Wang3
1Animal Nutritional Genome and Germplasm Innovation Research Center, College of Animal Science and Technology, Hunan Agricultural University; Yuelushan Laboratory, Changsha, Hunan 410128, China; Institute of Subtropical Agriculture, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Changsha, 410125, China.
Trends in Immunology
|December 6, 2025
Summary
The intestinal epithelium and its lymphocytes form a crucial immune-metabolic unit. This bidirectional communication, influenced by diet and microbes, is vital for health and a target for treating diseases.
Area of Science:
- Immunology
- Gastroenterology
- Metabolism
Background:
- The intestinal epithelium acts as a critical interface for immune and metabolic processes.
- Intraepithelial lymphocytes (IELs) and intestinal epithelial cells (IECs) interact to maintain homeostasis.
- Dysregulation of this IEL-IEC unit is linked to various diseases.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review advances in the bidirectional communication between IELs and IECs.
- To highlight the role of diet, microbial metabolites, and immune checkpoints.
- To propose the IEL-IEC interplay as a therapeutic target.
Main Methods:
- Literature review of current research on IEL-IEC interactions.
- Analysis of factors influencing the immune-metabolic interface.
- Synthesis of findings to propose a new therapeutic paradigm.
Main Results:
- IELs and IECs engage in complex bidirectional communication.
- Diet, microbial metabolites, and immune checkpoints significantly impact this interface.
- The IEL-IEC unit is central to immune tolerance and metabolic regulation.
Conclusions:
- The IEL-IEC interplay is a key immunometabolic regulatory unit.
- Understanding this communication is crucial for maintaining systemic homeostasis.
- Targeting the IEL-IEC axis offers potential for treating systemic diseases.
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