Recent advances in the epithelial barrier theory

Abstract

The epithelial barrier theory links the recent rise in chronic non-communicable diseases, notably autoimmune and allergic disorders, to environmental agents disrupting the epithelial barrier. Global pollution and environmental toxic agent exposure have worsened over six decades because of uncontrolled growth, modernisation, and industrialisation, affecting human health. Introducing new chemicals without any reasonable control of their health effects through these years has led to documented adverse effects, especially on the skin and mucosal epithelial barriers. These substances, such as particulate matter, detergents, surfactants, food emulsifiers, micro- and nano-plastics, diesel exhaust, cigarette smoke and ozone, have been shown to compromise the epithelial barrier integrity. This disruption is linked to the opening of the tight junction barriers, inflammation, cell death, oxidative stress and metabolic regulation. Consideration must be given to the interplay of toxic substances, underlying inflammatory diseases, and medications, especially in affected tissues. This review article discusses the detrimental effect of environmental barrier-damaging compounds on human health and involves cellular and molecular mechanisms.

Artichoke Leaf Extract Effectiveness on the Skin Aging Exposome: Efficacy and Safety Results of a Split-Face Study

“…Global pollution and exposure to hazardous chemical substances, driven by industrialization and modernization, have worsened over the last six decades. It has been estimated that since the 1960s, more than 350,000 chemical molecules have been introduced to our daily lives, and many of them have ended up as pollutants contributing to the human exposome [1]. Being a barrier organ, the skin is subject to lifelong exposure to a variety of environmental factors which undermine its barrier efficacy [2], influencing the physiology of the skin's response to them and its aging process [3].…”

Special Issue “Molecular and Cellular Advances in Atopic Diseases”

“…The interaction of allergens with the epithelial barriers can be influenced by several factors that may directly or indirectly affect the integrity of the epithelial barrier. In that respect, the epithelial barrier hypothesis was recently described as a concept proposing that environmental changes related to urbanization, industrialization, and modernization disrupt and inflame human epithelial barriers [27][28][29][30][31]. Damage to the epithelial barriers by these factors was suggested to facilitate the entry of allergens and pathogens, disrupting local immune responses, and promoting type 2 inflammation, inducing the initiation and exacerbation of allergic diseases such as atopic dermatitis (AD), food allergy, and asthma.…”

“…that environmental changes related to urbanization, industrialization, and modernization disrupt and inflame human epithelial barriers [27][28][29][30][31]. Damage to the epithelial barriers by these factors was suggested to facilitate the entry of allergens and pathogens, disrupting local immune responses, and promoting type 2 inflammation, inducing the initiation and exacerbation of allergic diseases such as atopic dermatitis (AD), food allergy, and asthma.…”