Budowa bariery jelitowej

The intestinal barrier consist of several layers. It is made of gut microbiota, a protective layer of mucus, intestinal epithelial cells, and the blood, lymphatic, immune and nervous systems. Mucus, which prevents the adhesion and penetration of pathogens to the intestinal wall, is also a habitat for intestinal microbiota – one of the key and most dynamic elements of the intestinal barrier. Microbiota mainly consist of anaerobic bacteria, and also aerobic bacteria, yeast and viruses. The intestinal ecosystem is constantly changing during human life, but tends to keep a balance, which is a guarantee of health. The single layer of the intestinal epithelium is a part of the physical barrier, which is mainly formed by enterocytes, which in addition to the absorption of nutrients affect the development of immunity by mediating the release of cytokines and the expression of receptors involved in the immune response. Tight junctions are located at the apical ends of the lateral membranes of intestinal epithelial cells. They are the most important elements for maintaining intestinal permeability. Anchoring junctions and communicating junctions are also connections between epithelial cells. Under the layer of epithelial cells is the lamina propria, comprising intestinal lymphatic tissue, intestinal tract, and nervous system tissue. Continuous changes in the intestinal barrier influence the health and disease balance.