Intestinal Barrier Function in Health and Disease-Any Role of SARS-CoV-2?

Alterations in the structure and function of the intestinal barrier play a role in the pathogenesis of a multitude of diseases. During the recent and ongoing coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic, it has become clear that the gastrointestinal system and the gut barrier may be affected by the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) virus, and disruption of barrier functions or intestinal microbial dysbiosis may have an impact on the progression and severity of this new disease. In this review, we aim to provide an overview of current evidence on the involvement of gut alterations in human disease including COVID-19, with a prospective outlook on supportive therapeutic strategies that may be investigated to rescue intestinal barrier functions and possibly facilitate clinical improvement in these patients.