Probiotics and Intestinal Epithelial Barrier Function
Summary
The intestinal epithelial barrier comprises a single layer of specialised cells connected by tight junctions, which regulate the passage of nutrients, ions and water while preventing the entry of pathogens and toxins. Probiotics—live microorganisms administered in adequate amounts—have emerged as modulators of this barrier, exerting direct effects on epithelial cells and shaping the composition of the gut microbiota. Mechanistically, probiotics can reinforce tight junction integrity, stimulate mucin production, attenuate inflammation and produce metabolites such as short-chain fatty acids that serve as energy sources for colonocytes. By restoring homeostasis in dysbiotic environments, probiotic interventions hold promise for preventing and managing gastrointestinal disorders, metabolic diseases and systemic inflammation. The global significance of this research lies in its potential to offer cost-effective, non-pharmacological strategies to enhance gut health and resilience across diverse populations, from neonatal care to ageing cohorts.
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Probiotics and Intestinal Epithelial Barrier Function publication trend
The graph below shows the total number of articles in probiotics and intestinal epithelial barrier function across all publications each year (not limited to Nature Index journals).
Technical terms
Probiotics: Live microorganisms that, when administered in adequate amounts, confer health benefits on the host.
Tight junctions: Protein complexes at the apical region of epithelial cells that seal intercellular spaces and regulate paracellular transport.
Transepithelial electrical resistance (TEER): An in vitro measure of epithelial monolayer integrity based on electrical resistance across cell layers.
Dysbiosis: A disturbance in the composition or function of the gut microbiota associated with disease states.
Paracellular permeability: The movement of substances across an epithelium by passing through the intercellular space between cells.
References
- Probiotic Lactobacillus plantarum Promotes Intestinal Barrier Function by Strengthening the Epithelium and Modulating Gut Microbiota. Frontiers in Microbiology (2018).
- Probiotics, Prebiotics and Epithelial Tight Junctions: A Promising Approach to Modulate Intestinal Barrier Function. International Journal of Molecular Sciences (2021).
- Lactobacillus plantarum MB452 enhances the function of the intestinal barrier by increasing the expression levels of genes involved in tight junction formation. BMC Microbiology (2010).
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