Research Progress on the Relationship Between the Intestinal Barrier and Macrophages

The intestinal barrier serves as a crucial defense in the body, and a compromised integrity can lead to systemic health issues. Intestinal macrophages, as key components of the intestinal immune system, have a profound influence on intestinal homeostasis. However, the complex mechanisms underlying interactions between the intestinal barrier and intestinal macrophages remain incompletely elucidated. This review systematically summarizes the bidirectional regulatory relationship between them. It specifically focuses on how the intestinal barrier impacts the phenotype, function, and heterogeneity of macrophages while concurrently analyzing the pivotal role of macrophages in maintaining and repairing intestinal barrier function. Furthermore, this review provides an in-depth analysis of the critical influence of this interaction on the pathogenesis and progression of various intestinal disorders and systemic diseases. By synthesizing and summarizing current research advances, this review aims to enhance the understanding of the regulatory mechanisms underlying intestinal immune homeostasis and to lay a theoretical foundation for developing novel strategies for the prevention and treatment of related diseases.