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The Epithelial Barrier Theory is a comprehensive explanation for the global, epidemic-level rise in chronic health conditions over the past 65 years. The theory, postulated by Akdis, proposes that exposure to toxic substances introduced by industrialization and modern lifestyle changes disrupts the epithelial barrier of the skin, upper and lower airways, and gut mucosa and causes microbial dysbiosis triggering an inflammatory immune response that can initiate or aggravate more than 70 chronic inflammatory diseases. The Epithelial Barrier Theory includes the ONE HEALTH concept with the strong veterinary medicine involvement of pets and domestic animals.

Epithelial Barrier Theory in Lectures

The epithelial barrier theory and its associated diseases
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Sun N, Ogulur I, Mitamura Y, et al.

Epithelial barrier dysfunction and associated diseases in companion animals: Differences and similarities between humans and animals and research needs

Ardicli S, Ardicli O, Yazici D, et al.

Epithelial barrier theory in the context of nutrition and environmental exposure in athletes

Kistler W, Villiger M, Villiger B, et al.

Latest Publications

Laundry Detergents Enhance Sensitization to Co-Inhaled Allergens and Exacerbate Airway Inflammation in Mice

N. Nagano, M. Tamari, H. Yamamoto, et al.,

Laundry detergents promote sensitization to co-inhaled allergens and exacerbate eosinophilic airway inflammation and antigen-specific IgE responses via IL-33 and IL-13. These findings suggest that detergents can act as adjuvants that facilitate airway sensitization.

Postbiotics and Nicotinamide Utilize Distinct Mechanisms to Improve Skin Barrier Integrity, Inflammation, and Keratinocyte Differentiation

Y. Pat, D. Yazici, H. Babayev, et al.

Integrating skin barrier measurements with omics and machine learning, we found that postbiotics and NAM regulate skin homeostasis through distinct, strain- and dose-dependent mechanisms. Postbiotics primarily modulate skin barrier function by promoting keratinocyte differentiation and suppressing inflammation. Together, integrated functional, molecular, and machine learning analyses identify key pathways underlying skin barrier regulation. EIS, electrical impedance spectroscopy; ETV4, ETS translocation variant 4; KRT81, keratin 81; LATS2, large tumor suppressor kinase 2; LC–MS, liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry; mM, millimolar; NAM, nicotinamide; NOTCH1, neurogenic locus notch homolog protein 1; OVOL2, ovo-like zinc finger 2; RNA-seq, RNA sequencing; w/v, weight/volume.

Lectures

Epithelial Barrier Theory in 9 Lectures

Publications

Key publications

Public Information

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The Epithelial Barrier Theory is a comprehensive explanation for the global, epidemic-level rise in chronic health conditions over the past 65 years. The theory, postulated by Akdis, proposes that exposure to toxic substances introduced by industrialization and modern lifestyle changes disrupts the epithelial barrier of the skin, upper and lower airways, and gut mucosa and causes microbial dysbiosis triggering an inflammatory immune response that can initiate or aggravate many chronic inflammatory diseases.

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