Editorial
Copyright ©2011 Baishideng Publishing Group Co., Limited. All rights reserved.
World J Gastroenterol. May 7, 2011; 17(17): 2161-2171
Published online May 7, 2011. doi: 10.3748/wjg.v17.i17.2161
Wound healing of intestinal epithelial cells
Masahiro Iizuka, Shiho Konno
Masahiro Iizuka, Shiho Konno, Akita Health Care Center, Akita Red Cross Hospital, Akita 010-0001, Japan
Author contributions: Iizuka M contributed to the study conception, design and data acquisition and drafting of the paper; Konno S contributed to the data analysis and interpretation and revised the paper.
Supported by (in part) Health and Labour Sciences Research Grants for research on intractable diseases from Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare of Japan
Correspondence to: Masahiro Iizuka, MD, PhD, Director of Akita Health Care Center, Akita Red Cross Hospital, 3-4-23 Nakadori, Akita 010-0001, Japan. maiizuka@woody.ocn.ne.jp
Telephone: +81-18-8321601 Fax: +81-18-8321603
Received: September 11, 2010
Revised: January 15, 2011
Accepted: January 22, 2011
Published online: May 7, 2011
Abstract

The intestinal epithelial cells (IECs) form a selective permeability barrier separating luminal content from underlying tissues. Upon injury, the intestinal epithelium undergoes a wound healing process. Intestinal wound healing is dependent on the balance of three cellular events; restitution, proliferation, and differentiation of epithelial cells adjacent to the wounded area. Previous studies have shown that various regulatory peptides, including growth factors and cytokines, modulate intestinal epithelial wound healing. Recent studies have revealed that novel factors, which include toll-like receptors (TLRs), regulatory peptides, particular dietary factors, and some gastroprotective agents, also modulate intestinal epithelial wound repair. Among these factors, the activation of TLRs by commensal bacteria is suggested to play an essential role in the maintenance of gut homeostasis. Recent studies suggest that mutations and dysregulation of TLRs could be major contributing factors in the predisposition and perpetuation of inflammatory bowel disease. Additionally, studies have shown that specific signaling pathways are involved in IEC wound repair. In this review, we summarize the function of IECs, the process of intestinal epithelial wound healing, and the functions and mechanisms of the various factors that contribute to gut homeostasis and intestinal epithelial wound healing.

Keywords: Intestinal epithelial cell; Wound healing; Restitution; Growth factors; Toll-like receptor