Tight Junctions at the Crossroads of Gastrointestinal Health: Mechanisms, Disruptors, and Emerging Therapeutic Strategies

The field of gastrointestinal health has progressively underscored the critical importance of intestinal epithelial tight junctions. These structures are pivotal in maintaining gut barrier integrity and ensuring homeostasis. However, the exact regulatory mechanisms, environmental influences, and pathological disruptors affecting tight junction functionality remain a challenge to fully understand. Recent studies highlight that disruptions caused by external agents such as microplastics, as well as conditions like inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) and leaky gut syndrome, can severely compromise tight junction integrity, leading to increased intestinal permeability and a host of metabolic disorders. Significant research has explored the mechanistic underpinnings and biomarkers associated with these disruptions, yet further investigation is essential to develop comprehensive therapeutic strategies.

This Research Topic aims to deepen our understanding of the multifaceted regulation of intestinal epithelial tight junctions by exploring how environmental disruptors, disease states, and beneficial interventions influence their functionality. Specifically, through examining the role of probiotic-derived metabolites and extracellular vesicles, research will focus on elucidating potential therapeutic pathways to restore and maintain gut barrier function. Central to these aims is the identification of novel biomarkers and mechanistic insights that can guide future therapeutic developments to support overall metabolic health.

To gather further insights in the regulation and modulation of intestinal epithelial tight junctions, we welcome articles addressing, but not limited to, the following themes:

• The impact of environmental disruptors such as microplastics on tight junction integrity;

• Pathological mechanisms in conditions like IBD and leaky gut affecting tight junctions;

• Mechanistic insights into the role of probiotics and their derivatives in tightening junctional barriers;

• Development of novel biomarkers for diagnosing tight junction disorders;

• Emerging therapeutic approaches targeting gut barrier function and integrity.

We welcome Original Research, Review, Mini Review, and Perspective articles contributing to this field.

Article types and fees

This Research Topic accepts the following article types, unless otherwise specified in the Research Topic description:

• Brief Research Report
• Data Report
• Editorial
• FAIR² Data
• Hypothesis and Theory
• Methods
• Mini Review
• Opinion
• Original Research
• ... View all formats

Articles that are accepted for publication by our external editors following rigorous peer review incur a publishing fee charged to Authors, institutions, or funders.

Article types

This Research Topic accepts the following article types, unless otherwise specified in the Research Topic description:

• Brief Research Report
• Data Report
• Editorial
• FAIR² Data
• Hypothesis and Theory
• Methods
• Mini Review
• Opinion
• Original Research
• Perspective
• Review
• Systematic Review
• Technology and Code

Keywords: Tight junctions, Gut barrier, Microplastics, Probiotics, Biomarkers, Physiology, gastrointestinal

Important note: All contributions to this Research Topic must be within the scope of the section and journal to which they are submitted, as defined in their mission statements. Frontiers reserves the right to guide an out-of-scope manuscript to a more suitable section or journal at any stage of peer review.