Intestinal stem cells and intestinal homeostasis in health and in inflammation: A review.

Alexander L A Bloemendaal, Nicolas C Buchs, Bruce D George, Richard J Guy

Journal: Surgery 2016;159(5):1237-48

PMID: 26936524

Full Text on Elsevier Science View on PubMed

Abstract

BACKGROUND

The human intestine is a complex group of organs, highly specialized in processing food and providing nutrients to the body. It is under constant threat from microbials and toxins and has therefore developed a number of protective mechanisms. One important mechanism is the constant shedding of epithelial cells into the lumen; another is the production and maintenance of a double-layered mucous boundary in which there is continuous sampling of the luminal microbiota and a persistent presence of antimicrobial enzymes. However, the gut needs commensal bacteria to effectively break down food into absorbable nutrients, which necessitates constant communication between the luminal bacteria and the intestinal immune cells in homeostasis. Disruption of homeostasis, for whatever reason, will give rise to (chronic) inflammation.

DISCUSSION

Both medical and surgical management of this disruption is discussed.

Address: Colorectal Surgery Department, Oxford University Hospitals, NHS Foundation Trust, Oxford, United Kingdom. Electronic address: [email protected].; Colorectal Surgery Department, Oxford University Hospitals, NHS Foundation Trust, Oxford, United Kingdom.

DOI: 10.1016/j.surg.2016.01.014

Link outs

Free resources

Medical:

https://medlineplus.gov/stemcells.html

Other Literature Sources:

https://scite.ai/reports/26936524

Subscription / membership required

Full Text Sources:

MeSH Terms: Appendix, Gastrointestinal Microbiome, Homeostasis, Humans, Inflammatory Bowel Diseases, Intestinal Mucosa, Signal Transduction, Stem Cell Transplantation, Stem Cells