Inflammatory bowel diseases are characterized by intestinal inflammation, increased mucosal cytokines and compromised epithelial barrier function. Epithelial barrier function is regulated by a series of intercellular junctions that encompass the tight junction (TJ), adherens junction (AJ) and desmosomes (DMs). It is now evident that intercellular junctions are highly dynamic structures and their component proteins actively participate in regulating epithelial homeostasis. Mucosal inflammation perturbs intercellular junctions and epithelial homeostatic properties thereby resulting in epithelial barrier compromise. Our knowledge of the molecular basis of intercellular junction protein cross-talk, epithelial homeostasis and compromised epithelial barrier in intestinal inflammation is however very limited. Thus the overall goals of this proposal are to identify mechanisms by which intercellular junction proteins control epithelial homeostasis and barrier function and determine the influence of inflammation on epithelial barrier compromise. We will specifically examine the role of DM cadherins and TJ claudin proteins in regulating the intestinal epithelial barrier. The influence of pro- inflammatory cytokines, IFNg and TNFa on such regulatory processes will be determined. In addition to gaining insights into the molecular basis of intestinal epithelial barrier regulation, these studies will provide new ideas for the development of therapeutic agents that promote the intestinal epithelial barrier function and reduce mucosal inflammation. These studies will also provide insight into strategies of transiently perturbing the epithelial barrier for therapeutic drug/vaccine delivery and cancer therapy.

Public Health Relevance

The epithelial lining of the gastrointestinal tract forms a regulated selective-permeable barrier permitting the uptake of luminal nutrients while restricting pathogen and toxin access to underlying tissue compartments. Intercellular junctions play a pivotal role in this barrier regulation. This proposal seeks to identify the molecular basis by which intercellular junction proteins control barrier function in health and disease. These studies will not only advance our understanding of barrier regulation, but will aid in the development of therapeutic agents that promote barrier function and reduce inflammation or on the converse increase permeability for drug/vaccine delivery.

Agency
National Institute of Health (NIH)
Institute
National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases (NIDDK)
Type
Research Project (R01)
Project #
2R01DK059888-11
Application #
8187523
Study Section
Gastrointestinal Mucosal Pathobiology Study Section (GMPB)
Program Officer
Carrington, Jill L
Project Start
2011-09-01
Project End
2016-08-31
Budget Start
2011-09-01
Budget End
2012-08-31
Support Year
11
Fiscal Year
2011
Total Cost
$484,265
Indirect Cost
Name
Emory University
Department
Pathology
Type
Schools of Medicine
DUNS #
066469933
City
Atlanta
State
GA
Country
United States
Zip Code
30322
Yulis, Mark; Quiros, Miguel; Hilgarth, Roland et al. (2018) Intracellular Desmoglein-2 cleavage sensitizes epithelial cells to apoptosis in response to pro-inflammatory cytokines. Cell Death Dis 9:389
Flemming, Sven; Luissint, Anny-Claude; Nusrat, Asma et al. (2018) Analysis of leukocyte transepithelial migration using an in vivo murine colonic loop model. JCI Insight 3:
Quiros, Miguel; Nishio, Hikaru; Neumann, Philipp A et al. (2017) Macrophage-derived IL-10 mediates mucosal repair by epithelial WISP-1 signaling. J Clin Invest 127:3510-3520
Garcia-Hernandez, Vicky; Quiros, Miguel; Nusrat, Asma (2017) Intestinal epithelial claudins: expression and regulation in homeostasis and inflammation. Ann N Y Acad Sci 1397:66-79
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Cruz-Acuña, Ricardo; Quirós, Miguel; Farkas, Attila E et al. (2017) Synthetic hydrogels for human intestinal organoid generation and colonic wound repair. Nat Cell Biol 19:1326-1335
Luissint, Anny-Claude; Parkos, Charles A; Nusrat, Asma (2016) Inflammation and the Intestinal Barrier: Leukocyte-Epithelial Cell Interactions, Cell Junction Remodeling, and Mucosal Repair. Gastroenterology 151:616-32
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Gómez-Suárez, M; Gutiérrez-Martínez, I Z; Hernández-Trejo, J A et al. (2016) 14-3-3 Proteins regulate Akt Thr308 phosphorylation in intestinal epithelial cells. Cell Death Differ 23:1060-72
Medina-Contreras, Oscar; Harusato, Akihito; Nishio, Hikaru et al. (2016) Cutting Edge: IL-36 Receptor Promotes Resolution of Intestinal Damage. J Immunol 196:34-8

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