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Åsa Keita is a Senior Associate Professor at Linköping University specializing in Experimental Gastroenterology. Her research focuses on studying the interactions between the enteric nervous system and immune cells concerning barrier function, particularly in relation to gastrointestinal disorders such as Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS) and Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD). Her team has shown that patients with IBS and IBD exhibit disturbed barrier function, resulting in increased passage of bacteria and harmful substances across the intestinal epithelium. IBS is characterized as a chronic functional intestinal disorder leading to symptoms such as diarrhea, constipation, and abdominal pain, often accompanied by fatigue and depression. In contrast, IBD is a chronic condition marked by inflammation of the intestinal mucosa, causing abdominal pain, diarrhea, and weight loss. Åsa's research aims to delve into mucosal interactions involving immune cells and enteric glial cells, which are crucial for understanding nervous system regulation of intestinal barrier function in IBS and IBD. Her ongoing projects include exploring the role of enteric glial cells in the intestinal barrier function and their interactions with immune cells and microbes, emphasizing the importance of gut-brain connections.
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