Tuft cells: Sentinels of the intestinal mucosa

Abstract

The intestinal epithelium is one of our main interfaces with the outside world, including the intestinal microbiota. This epithelium thus combines the two essential functions of nutrient absorption and barrier. In order to fulfill its different roles, the intestinal epithelium is made up of several specialized cell types. Among these, tuft cells have long remained in the shadows, but the understanding of their function has accelerated dramatically in recent years. The purpose of this review is to outline the characterization of tuft cells and the discovery of their sentinel function in the intestinal mucosa.