Skip to main content
Fig. 1 | Journal of Translational Medicine

Fig. 1

From: Invasive non-typhoidal Salmonella in sickle cell disease in Africa: is increased gut permeability the missing link?

Fig. 1

Intestinal homeostasis provided by a balanced intestinal microbiota community. A balanced intestinal microbiota community helps maintain microbial homeostasis and immunologic tolerance, and modulate the metabolic processes that influence the intestinal permeability. An intact intestinal barrier is provided by an anatomical barrier of the intestinal wall and a physiological barrier linked to the intestinal microbiota and elements of the mucosal immune system. The space between enterocytes is sealed by TJs that regulate the flow of water ions and small molecules across the barrier. TJ development is maintained by SCFAs and indole metabolites produced by some intestinal microbes. However, TJ development can also be disrupted by the relative abundance of certain intestinal microbes. An intact intestinal barrier prevents the translocation of intestinal microbes, including NTS, across the barrier into the systemic circulation, thereby reduce the risks for systemic infections by the enteric microbes

Back to article page