Dig Dis Sci. 2023 Dec;68(12):4306-4320. doi: 10.1007/s10620-023-08122-w.Epub 2023 Sep 29.

Katie A Dunleavy ¹, Laura E Raffals ², Michael Camilleri ^1 3

Author information

¹Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Mayo Clinic, 200 First St. S.W., Rochester, MN, 55905, USA.

²Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Mayo Clinic, 200 First St. S.W., Rochester, MN, 55905, USA. Raffals.laura@mayo.edu.

³Clinical Enteric Neuroscience Translational and Epidemiological Research (CENTER), Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN, USA.

Abstract

The intestinal barrier is composed of several essential elements including luminal enzymes, bile acids, water layer, epithelial layer, and enterocyte layer. It acts as a dynamic interface between the luminal contents of food, commensal and pathogenic bacteria, and the gastrointestinal tract. The role of barrier dysfunction is of significant research interest in the development and targeted treatment of chronic inflammatory gastrointestinal conditions, such as inflammatory bowel disease. This review aims to examine the role of intestinal barrier dysfunction in the development of inflammatory bowel disease, the pathophysiology of increased barrier permeability in inflammatory bowel disease, and to explore potential treatment targets and clinical applications.