Critical Signaling Transduction Pathways and Intestinal Barrier: Implications for Pathophysiology and Therapeutics

The intestinal barrier is a sum of the functions and structures consisting of the intestinal mucosal epithelium, mucus, intestinal flora, secretory immunoglobulins, and digestive juices. It is the first-line defense mechanism that resists nonspecific infections with powerful functions that include p...

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Main Authors: Jingwang Gao, Bo Cao, Ruiyang Zhao, Hanghang Li, Qixuan Xu, Bo Wei
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: MDPI AG 2023-08-01
Series:Pharmaceuticals
Subjects:
Online Access:https://www.mdpi.com/1424-8247/16/9/1216
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author Jingwang Gao
Bo Cao
Ruiyang Zhao
Hanghang Li
Qixuan Xu
Bo Wei
author_facet Jingwang Gao
Bo Cao
Ruiyang Zhao
Hanghang Li
Qixuan Xu
Bo Wei
author_sort Jingwang Gao
collection DOAJ
description The intestinal barrier is a sum of the functions and structures consisting of the intestinal mucosal epithelium, mucus, intestinal flora, secretory immunoglobulins, and digestive juices. It is the first-line defense mechanism that resists nonspecific infections with powerful functions that include physical, endocrine, and immune defenses. Health and physiological homeostasis are greatly dependent on the sturdiness of the intestinal barrier shield, whose dysfunction can contribute to the progression of numerous types of intestinal diseases. Disorders of internal homeostasis may also induce barrier impairment and form vicious cycles during the response to diseases. Therefore, the identification of the underlying mechanisms involved in intestinal barrier function and the development of effective drugs targeting its damage have become popular research topics. Evidence has shown that multiple signaling pathways and corresponding critical molecules are extensively involved in the regulation of the barrier pathophysiological state. Ectopic expression or activation of signaling pathways plays an essential role in the process of shield destruction. Although some drugs, such as molecular or signaling inhibitors, are currently used for the treatment of intestinal diseases, their efficacy cannot meet current medical requirements. In this review, we summarize the current achievements in research on the relationships between the intestinal barrier and signaling pathways. The limitations and future perspectives are also discussed to provide new horizons for targeted therapies for restoring intestinal barrier function that have translational potential.
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spelling doaj.art-7a5c050e9b864be58c936969361b7cd82023-11-19T12:24:10ZengMDPI AGPharmaceuticals1424-82472023-08-01169121610.3390/ph16091216Critical Signaling Transduction Pathways and Intestinal Barrier: Implications for Pathophysiology and TherapeuticsJingwang Gao0Bo Cao1Ruiyang Zhao2Hanghang Li3Qixuan Xu4Bo Wei5Department of General Surgery, Medical School of Chinese PLA, Beijing 100853, ChinaDepartment of General Surgery, First Medical Center, Chinese PLA General Hospital, Beijing 100853, ChinaDepartment of General Surgery, Medical School of Chinese PLA, Beijing 100853, ChinaDepartment of General Surgery, Medical School of Chinese PLA, Beijing 100853, ChinaDepartment of General Surgery, Medical School of Chinese PLA, Beijing 100853, ChinaDepartment of General Surgery, Medical School of Chinese PLA, Beijing 100853, ChinaThe intestinal barrier is a sum of the functions and structures consisting of the intestinal mucosal epithelium, mucus, intestinal flora, secretory immunoglobulins, and digestive juices. It is the first-line defense mechanism that resists nonspecific infections with powerful functions that include physical, endocrine, and immune defenses. Health and physiological homeostasis are greatly dependent on the sturdiness of the intestinal barrier shield, whose dysfunction can contribute to the progression of numerous types of intestinal diseases. Disorders of internal homeostasis may also induce barrier impairment and form vicious cycles during the response to diseases. Therefore, the identification of the underlying mechanisms involved in intestinal barrier function and the development of effective drugs targeting its damage have become popular research topics. Evidence has shown that multiple signaling pathways and corresponding critical molecules are extensively involved in the regulation of the barrier pathophysiological state. Ectopic expression or activation of signaling pathways plays an essential role in the process of shield destruction. Although some drugs, such as molecular or signaling inhibitors, are currently used for the treatment of intestinal diseases, their efficacy cannot meet current medical requirements. In this review, we summarize the current achievements in research on the relationships between the intestinal barrier and signaling pathways. The limitations and future perspectives are also discussed to provide new horizons for targeted therapies for restoring intestinal barrier function that have translational potential.https://www.mdpi.com/1424-8247/16/9/1216intestinal barriersignaling pathwaymicrobiota symbiosistraditional Chinese medicineclinical translation
spellingShingle Jingwang Gao
Bo Cao
Ruiyang Zhao
Hanghang Li
Qixuan Xu
Bo Wei
Critical Signaling Transduction Pathways and Intestinal Barrier: Implications for Pathophysiology and Therapeutics
Pharmaceuticals
intestinal barrier
signaling pathway
microbiota symbiosis
traditional Chinese medicine
clinical translation
title Critical Signaling Transduction Pathways and Intestinal Barrier: Implications for Pathophysiology and Therapeutics
title_full Critical Signaling Transduction Pathways and Intestinal Barrier: Implications for Pathophysiology and Therapeutics
title_fullStr Critical Signaling Transduction Pathways and Intestinal Barrier: Implications for Pathophysiology and Therapeutics
title_full_unstemmed Critical Signaling Transduction Pathways and Intestinal Barrier: Implications for Pathophysiology and Therapeutics
title_short Critical Signaling Transduction Pathways and Intestinal Barrier: Implications for Pathophysiology and Therapeutics
title_sort critical signaling transduction pathways and intestinal barrier implications for pathophysiology and therapeutics
topic intestinal barrier
signaling pathway
microbiota symbiosis
traditional Chinese medicine
clinical translation
url https://www.mdpi.com/1424-8247/16/9/1216
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