Fonction de barrière et protection cellulaire de l’épithélium intestinal. Application au porcelet au sevrage

This review focuses on recent progress on the understanding of intestinal barrier function and epithelial cell protection by heat shock proteins (HSP). Barrier function regulation and its importance for the swine species are presented. Major progress in the understanding of gut barrier function and epithelial cell protection and their regulation has been made recently. Tight junctions and HSP appear to have a major role. These defence systems are highly dynamic, integrated and finely regulated at the epithelial monolayer. The first level of regulation is a direct cross-talk between the gut microbiota and the host. The second level involves the nervous system, mucosal mast cells and various mediators acting on the epithelium. Gut barrier function and its regulation can be altered by stress and disturbances of the microbiota. Additional studies need to be conducted in swine for developing appropriate strategies for preventing post-weaning gut disorders