Paneth cells in the Mucosa of the small intestine secrete

In the small intestine, Paneth cells residing at the bottom of the intestinal crypts are the key effectors of innate mucosal defense. -Paneth cells provide host defense against microbes in the small intestine. They are functionally similar to neutrophils. -Paneth cells secrete a number of antimicrobial molecules into the lumen of the crypt, thereby contributing to the maintenance of the gastrointestinal barrier. -Paneth cells are stimulated to secrete defensins, lysozyme & phospholipase A2. Ref: guyton and hall textbook of medical physiology 12 edition page number: 395,396,397