Intestinal Epithelial Cell Signaling

Intestinal epithelial cell signaling refers to the complex network of molecular pathways and cellular communications that occur within and between intestinal epithelial cells (IECs) and their environment. These signaling processes are essential for maintaining gut homeostasis, coordinating immune responses, regulating cell proliferation and differentiation, ensuring barrier integrity, mediating wound healing, and responding to microbial or inflammatory stimuli. Key pathways include Wnt/β-catenin, Notch, STAT3/IL‑22 axis, and Ras/MAPK pathway. Dysregulation is implicated in chronic inflammatory diseases, increased infection susceptibility, impaired wound healing, and tumor development.