Acquisizione competenze tecnico-professionali:The intestinal barrier, which primarily consists of a mucus layer, an epithelial barrier, and a gut vascular barrier, has a crucial role in health and disease by facilitating nutrient absorption and preventing the entry of pathogens. The gut barrier is in close contact with gut microbiota on its luminal side and with immune/inflammatory cells and enteric nervous system (ens) cells on its tissue side. Increasing evidence suggests that the intestinal barrier is compromised in digestive (both organic and functional) and extra- digestive disorders, including inflammatory bowel diseases, irritable bowel syndrome, visceral hypersensitivity, obesity, neurological and neuropsychiatric disorders.