About this Research Topic
• The microbiome, which builds biofilms of microbial communities protecting with colonization resistance from pathogens. Moreover, the healthy microbiota in the colon produces short-chain fatty acids, such as butyrate for enterocyte fitness.
• The mucus layer, with different viscosity depending on hydration by secretion and absorption of water and ions by the epithelium.
• The epithelial barrier, maintained by tight junction proteins.
• The subepithelial immune system, acting as inductor and regulator of enteritis, pathogen clearance and cytokine release.
All of the above phenomena are potential targets for pathogenic microorganisms and, at the same time, targets for drugs in barrier-improving therapies.
Several therapeutic agents are active on the different gastrointestinal barriers- mostly through immunomodulatory action. Many more potentially active substances, compounds or inhibitors may target the permeation or absorbance of substances or toxins in the digestive tract.
With this Research Topic on medication for gastrointestinal infections, we aim for papers dealing with new and old therapeutics or natural substances that can improve mucosal homeostasis, gastrointestinal microbiota and epithelial barrier function, as well as the mucosal immune system. The most relevant goals in this Research Topic are gastroenteritis, common bacterial infections such as Campylobacter or Helicobacter, biofilm formation, antimicrobials and antibiofilm compounds, and barrier-improving substances.
We encourage submissions that cover but are not limited to, the following topics of gastrointestinal topics:
• permeation of bacterial toxins, polysaccharides, and other types of microbial antigens.
• permeability and absorbance of bioactive substances - descriptions of protective or therapeutic compounds
• epithelial barrier-improving compounds
• microorganism adherence, mucus, biofilm formation and antibiofilm compounds
• modification of microbiome, microbial communities and antimicrobials
• modulation of immune response, leaky gut and anti-inflammatory substances
• pharmaceutical agents, drug repurposing or ethnopharmacology.
We also welcome the following article types: Original Research, Reviews and Brief Reports.
Keywords: passage of drugs or pathogens, permeability, mucosa, intestinal barrier, permeation of bacterial antigens and drugs, gut microbiota, biofilm, antimicrobials, antibiofilm compounds
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.