Gut microbiota and epithelial cells

The "gut microbiota and epithelial cells" interface denotes a critical, dynamic interaction between the community of microorganisms inhabiting the gastrointestinal tract and the specialized epithelial cells lining the gut. Epithelial cells construct chemical and physical barriers, secrete immunological mediators, and interact with the microbiota through metabolites, cellular adhesion molecules, and signaling pathways. The crosstalk regulates immune responses, barrier integrity, and microbial composition, thereby influencing health and disease, including inflammatory, metabolic, and neoplastic conditions. This interface is a focus for emerging therapies such as probiotics, dietary modifications, and fecal microbiota transplantation, but cannot be considered a traditional pharmacological target (e.g., receptor, enzyme).

Other names

Gut microbiome and intestinal epithelial cellsGut microbiota–epithelial cell axisIntestinal microbiota–epithelial interfaceGut-epithelium crosstalk

Modulation of microbial composition (probiotics/antibiotics); Enhancement of barrier function (metabolites, SCFAs); Immune modulation (altering cytokine/chemokine output); Restoration of homeostasis (FMT, prebiotics)