Gastrointestinal mucosal barrier function pathway

The gastrointestinal mucosal barrier function pathway comprises the integrated actions of the physical, chemical, immune, and microbial barriers in the gastrointestinal tract that collectively separate the organism's internal environment from the external luminal contents. Key elements include the mucus layer (produced by goblet cells), epithelial cells joined by tight junctions (involving proteins such as claudins, occludin, and zonula occludens), antimicrobial peptides, immunoglobulin A, immune cells, and the gut microbiota. Barrier integrity is vital for preventing the translocation of pathogens, toxins, and antigens, while allowing the absorption of nutrients and water. Disruption of this barrier is implicated in a variety of diseases, including inflammatory bowel disease, cancers, infections, and metabolic syndromes. The pathway is not a receptor, enzyme, or transporter, but an emergent property of many molecular interactions and cellular processes

Other names

Intestinal mucosal barrierGastrointestinal barrierIntestinal barrier