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Under physiological conditions, microbiota-host interaction ensures intestinal homeostasis.
In a healthy gut, the cells lining the intestines release substances called mucins and antimicrobial peptides. These healthy cells also release proteins known as cytokines, which help develop special immune cells called tolerogenic dendritic cells and macrophages. These dendritic cells then help create regulatory T cells when they are in the presence of certain factors like transforming growth factor beta and retinoic acid. Additionally, protective IgA plasma cells are formed when T reg cells produce Transforming growth factor beta (TGF-beta), and when epithelial cells release factors like BAFF and APRIL (not shown). The anti-inflammatory cytokines released by T reg cells and macrophages help maintain balance in the intestines and reduce inflammation.
Intestinal homeostasis is a broader concept encompassing the dynamic equilibrium of the entire gut environment, including microbial balance (eubiosis), epithelial barrier integrity, immune tolerance, and neuroendocrine interactions
Dysbiosis, however, disrupts homeostasis.
Intestinal homeostasis of the intestinal epithelium is essential for maintaining normal organ function.
This is achieved mainly by the regulated proliferation of adult organ-specific stem cells and their subsequent differentiation to replace lost or damaged cells and, on the other hand, by the apoptosis of differentiated epithelial cells, mainly at the tip of the villi.
Thus, properly coordinating cell loss/death and cell proliferation is essential.
The mucosal immune system, including various innate and adaptive immune cells, and the gut microbiota interact to maintain intestinal homeostasis.
Disturbances in this balance due to genetic predisposition or environmental factors can lead to diseases such as inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) or colorectal cancer (CRC).
Mucosal tissue homeostasis results from the perinatal establishment of mucosally induced immune tolerance, which has been extensively studied in terms of immunological hyporesponsiveness to ingested innocuous antigens (known as Oral tolerance ) and to components of the indigenous gut microbiota
see also:
Biological effects / Functions & Macrophages (CD68s)
Diseases / Disorders & Dysbiosis
Eubiosis / Homeostasis
Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD)
Intestinal immune system