A silent signaling network deep in the gut protects against inflammatory intestinal disorders, scientists find
Medical Xpress
February 21, 2026
Deep in the folds of the intestine, in microscopic pockets called crypts, a quiet surveillance system is always at work. Stem cells lining the gut wall are not just rebuilding tissue—they are listening and signaling. When certain strains of Escherichia coli brush past, these cells can sense a telltale molecular signature: flagellin, the protein that powers a bacterium's whip-like tail. That signal sets off a chain reaction, summoning immune cells that repair damage and help restore the gut's protective barrier.
Verticals
healthmedical
Originally published on Medical Xpress on 2/21/2026