The Role of Mitochondrial in Intestinal Epithelial Barrier Dysfunction during Inflammatory Bowel Disease

Abstract

Inflammatory bowel diseases are widely spread in industrial countries with every 20th citizen being affected. Dysregulation of epithelial barrier function is considered to play a key role in the development of inflammatory bowel diseases. Intestinal epithelium permeability depends mostly on the condition of intercellular contacts and epithelial cells' renewal ability. Mitochondria participate in the regulation of various intracellular processes besides performing the energetic function. Recent data indicate the potential role of mitochondria in intestinal epithelial barrier regulation and inflammatory bowel diseases onset. Mitochondrial dysfunction may be one of the reasons for disruption of the structure of tight junctions and the cytoskeleton of intestinal epithelial cells, as well as a decrease in the ability of the epithelial lining to self-renewal. All this leads to a decrease in the barrier function of the intestinal epithelium and the development of inflammatory bowel diseases. Nevertheless, the mechanisms of these processes are still unclear and further research is required.