When exposed to bacteria or bacterial antigens, Paneth cells secrete some of these compounds into the lumen of the intestinal gland, thereby contributing to maintenance of the gastrointestinal barrier.
Cando están expostas a bacterias ou antíxenos bacterianos, as células de Paneth secretan algúns destes compostos na luz da glándula intestinal, contribuíndo dese modo ao mantemento da barreira gastrointestinal.