In the U.S., 86% of the nation’s $2.7 trillion annual health care expenditures are for individuals with chronic and mental health conditions. A growing body of evidence indicates that a compromised intestinal epithelial barrier influences the incidence and severity of chronic diseases, such as type 1 and 2 diabetes and obesity, primary intestinal disorders such as celiac disease and inflammatory bowel disease, and neurologic disorders such as autism and Parkinson’s disease. Despite growing evidence linking diet, environment, the intestinal epithelium, and inflammatory diseases, there is a gap between the science and healthcare policy and practice. This large gap presents an enormous opportunity to develop scientifically based strategies, healthcare policies and clinical guidelines to prevent and reduce the risk of chronic inflammatory diseases with the aim of developing interventions that promote an intact and healthy intestinal epithelium. To this end, it is crucial that health care providers understand how nutrition, environment, microbiota, and intestinal epithelium interact. This workshop addresses an important and evolving field of research with potential for clinical impact that you will not want to miss.

Learning Objectives:

Describe the properties and functions of the intestinal epithelial barrier
Describe how the microbiota and nutrition modulate the intestinal epithelial barrier
Summarize how the intestinal epithelial barrier impacts risk for various chronic inflammatory diseases
Evaluate the current literature on factors that influence intestinal epithelial barrier integrity
Explore opportunities for translational science from communication and collaboration among interdisciplinary researchers and clinicians that can bring about changes in health care practice and public policy relevant to the management and prevention of inflammatory-based chronic diseases

Moderators: Yimin Chen, PhD, RD, CNSC; Enid Martinez, MD

Alessio Fasano MD

Professor of Pediatrics, Harvard Medical School; W. Allan Walker Chair of Pediatric Gastroenterology and Nutrition; Division Chief, Pediatric Gastroenterology and Nutrition, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA

Appearances