Darmepithelvorläuferzellen

Darmepithelvor is not a widely established term in standard medical literature. It may refer to the intestinal epithelium (Darmepithel) or to the precursor elements that give rise to it. In this article, the focus is on the intestinal epithelium and its progenitors, which are central to digestion, absorption, and barrier function.

The intestinal epithelium is a single, dynamic layer lining the gastrointestinal tract, from the stomach’s distal region to the colon. In the small intestine, it forms villi to increase surface area; in the colon, the mucosa is comparatively flatter. The epithelium comprises several cell types: enterocytes for nutrient absorption, goblet cells that secrete mucus, enteroendocrine cells that release hormones, Paneth cells that produce antimicrobial proteins, and stem/progenitor cells at the crypt bases that replenish the lining.

Renewal and differentiation are driven by intestinal stem cells, notably Lgr5+ cells in the crypts of Lieberkühn. These cells divide and differentiate as they migrate upward, replacing old cells roughly every 3 to 5 days in the small intestine. This rapid turnover supports both absorption and protection against luminal stress. Signaling pathways such as Wnt and Notch regulate stem cell maintenance and lineage decisions, while the microenvironment and immune components modulate responses to injury and infection.

Barrier function and host-microbiota interactions are key features. Tight junctions between epithelial cells limit permeability, while mucus and antimicrobial peptides maintain defense. Dysregulation of the epithelium can contribute to conditions such as inflammatory bowel disease, celiac disease, and colorectal cancer, underscoring the epithelium’s role in health and disease.