Gut microbiota and intestinal mucosal surface

The gut microbiota and intestinal mucosal surface constitute a complex biological interface essential for metabolic homeostasis and immune regulation. This system comprises a diverse community of microorganisms—including bacteria, archaea, fungi, and viruses—and a multi-layered physical barrier consisting of mucus, antimicrobial peptides, and a single layer of epithelial cells (Thursby & Juge, 2017). The microbiota facilitates the fermentation of non-digestible carbohydrates into short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs), which serve as energy sources for colonocytes and modulate systemic inflammation (Belkaid & Hand, 2014). Simultaneously, the mucosal surface prevents the translocation of luminal pathogens and toxins into the systemic circulation, a function often compromised in conditions characterized by increased intestinal permeability (Turner, 2009). Dysbiosis and barrier dysfunction are central to the pathogenesis of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), and various metabolic disorders (Vancamelbeke & Vermeire, 2017). Therapeutic strategies targeting this interface include the use of probiotics, prebiotics, and fecal microbiota transplantation (FMT) to restore microbial diversity and enhance barrier integrity (Gupta et al., 2016).

Other names

Gut microbiomeIntestinal barrierGut-mucosal interfaceIntestinal microbiotaMucosal barrierGastrointestinal microbiota

Modulation of microbial composition, enhancement of epithelial tight junction integrity, competitive exclusion of pathogens, and regulation of mucosal immune signaling through metabolite production.