Polarized intestinal epithelial cells (IEC), as well as the resident microflora, provide a barrier that guards against microbial invasion
The necessity for the epithelium to maintain an intact barrier between lumen bacteria and the lamina propria is exemplified by the consequences after the barrier function is altered
Impairment of the barrier function of the intestinal epithelium may be a predominant mechanism in the pathogenesis of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD)
