Intestinal Cells Active In Pursuit Of Nutrition

Every cell lining the small intestine bristles with thousands of tightly packed microvilli that project into the gut lumen, forming a brush border that absorbs nutrients and protects the body from intestinal bacteria.

In the June 29, 2009 issue of the Journal of Cell Biology, researchers now find that microvilli extend their functional reach even further using a molecular motor to send vesicles packed with gut enzymes out into the lumen to get a head start on breaking down their substrates and could also be an important defense mechanism against intestinal pathogens.

Bonnie - this is a very important discovery because villi are destroyed in those with gluten intolerance, celiac disease, and other gut disorders. This is why it is so critical to diagnose a gluten issue so that proper nutrient absorption may continue.