Intestinal epithelial barrier functions in ageing.
Ageing Res Rev
; 54: 100938, 2019 09.
Article
en En
| MEDLINE
| ID: mdl-31369869
The intestinal epithelial barrier protects the mucosa of the gastrointestinal (GI)-tract and plays a key role in maintaining the host homeostasis. It encompasses several elements that include the intestinal epithelium and biochemical and immunological products, such as the mucus layer, antimicrobial peptides (AMPs) and secretory immunologlobulin A (sIgA). These components are interlinked with the large microbial community inhabiting the gut to form a highly sophisticated biological system that plays an important role on many aspects of human health both locally and systemically. Like any other organ and tissue, the intestinal epithelial barrier is affected by the ageing process. New insights have surfaced showing that critical functions, including intestinal stem cell regeneration and regulation of the intestinal crypt homeostasis, barrier integrity, production of regulatory cytokines, and epithelial innate immunity to pathogenic antigens change across life. Here we review the age-associated changes of the various components of the intestinal epithelial barrier and we highlight the necessity to elucidate further the mechanisms underlying these changes. Expanding our knowledge in this area is a goal of high medical relevance and it will help to define intervention strategies to ameliorate the quality of life of the ever-expanding elderly population.
Palabras clave
Texto completo:
1
Colección:
01-internacional
Base de datos:
MEDLINE
Asunto principal:
Envejecimiento
/
Inmunidad Innata
/
Inflamación
/
Mucosa Intestinal
Aspecto:
Patient_preference
Límite:
Animals
/
Humans
Idioma:
En
Revista:
Ageing Res Rev
Asunto de la revista:
GERIATRIA
Año:
2019
Tipo del documento:
Article
País de afiliación:
Italia
Pais de publicación:
Reino Unido