Regulation of the Intestinal Barrier and the Brain-Gut Microbiota Axis: Role of Age, Gender, and Sex
A special issue of International Journal of Molecular Sciences (ISSN 1422-0067). This special issue belongs to the section "Molecular Biology".
Deadline for manuscript submissions: 31 January 2026 | Viewed by 5
Special Issue Editor
Interests: brain-gut axis and its potential role in Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD); impact of the maternal gut microbiota during pregnancy on fetal gut-brain axis and life-long health outcomes; rodent model of maternal perinatal depression and its impact on offspring
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals
Special Issue Information
Dear Colleagues,
This Special Issue highlights recent advancements in the field of the brain–gut microbiota axis, including the intestinal barrier, its crucial component, and its interactions. Specifically, recent discoveries suggest that the interaction between the intestinal barrier and the brain–gut microbiota axis is significantly influenced by age, gender, and sex, which in turn affects the intestinal barrier, microbiota, and overall health. Among the most significant findings is the recognition of the fetal intestinal barrier and its interaction with the fetal brain–gut microbiota axis, which supersedes the concept of the sterile womb. Additionally, there is an emerging concern regarding the usefulness of animal models, such as rodents, which exhibit different developmental time frames. Given the growing recognition of the essential regulatory roles of the intestinal barrier and the brain–gut microbiota axis in human health and diseases, further examination of their interactions will deepen our clinical understanding and contribute to medical applications. The articles presented in this Special Issue will contribute to further discoveries concerning the critical role of the intestinal barrier and brain–gut microbiota interactions, paving the way for medical progress.
Prof. Dr. Elzbieta M. Sajdel-Sulkowska
Guest Editor
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Keywords
- age
- brain–gut microbiota axis
- intestinal barrier
- fetal
- gender
- sex
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