Plasticité des cellules intestinales : nature et fonction

The plasticity of a material corresponds to its property to change its shape under the effect of an action and keep it after this action. By analogy, neuronal plasticity describes how neurons extend, retract or are reorganized according to their synaptic activity or the other neurons and how synaptic receptors and secreted neuropeptides can be modified. Similarly, intestinal plasticity can be defined as the ability of the intestine to modify its size or thickness and intestinal cells to modulate their absorption and secretion functions in response to nutrient or metabolic signals. These physiological mechanisms allow a fine and rapid adaptation of the gut to promote absorption of ingested food, but they can be deregulated in response to overnutrition. This plasticity could become a therapeutic target not only for obesity, but also to treat undernutrition.