Human intestinal barrier function

The *human intestinal barrier function* refers to the physiological role of the intestinal epithelium in maintaining selective permeability between the gut lumen and the body's internal environment. This barrier is largely formed by a single layer of intestinal epithelial cells, sealed by intercellular junctional complexes (notably tight junctions, adherens junctions, and desmosomes). It prevents harmful microorganisms, toxins, and antigens from entering while permitting nutrient, water, and electrolyte absorption. The barrier is dynamically regulated by structural proteins (claudins, occludin, zonula occludens, junctional adhesion molecules) and signaling pathways sensitive to cytokines, kinases, immune cells, and luminal factors. Dysfunction or disruption of this barrier is implicated in the pathogenesis of several diseases, particularly those with an inflammatory or autoimmune etiology, as well as metabolic disorders[1][2][3][4].

Other names

Intestinal epithelial barrierGut barrierIntestinal mucosal barrier