The intestinal epithelium is a single layer of cells within the gut lumen that serves an important protective function. It acts as a barrier to prevent harmful luminal contents and antigens from crossing the intestinal epithelium. Defective intestinal tight junction barrier (TJ), manifested by increased intestinal permeability, has been shown to contribute to the pathogenesis of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) including Crohn’s disease (CD) and ulcerative colitis (UC), celiac disease, and other inflammatory conditions of the gut. Enhancement of the intestinal TJ barrier function has been shown in several clinical studies to be a target as a new restorative approach in preventing intestinal inflammation.
Many matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) and other pro-inflammatory cytokines, including TNF-a, IL-1b, IL-6, IFN-g, among others have been implicated in the pathogenesis of intestinal inflammation in IBD and other inflammatory conditions of the gut. MMPs are classified into major subgroups including collagenases (MMP-1, -8, -13, -18), gelatinases (MMP -2, -9), stromelysins (MMP -3, -7, -10, -11, -19), elastase (MMP -12), and membrane type (MMP -1, -5). In addition, dysregulated expression of MMPs and other pro-inflammatory cytokines have been demonstrated to have a disruptive effect on the intestinal barrier function.
The purpose of this Research Topic, “Role of matrix metalloproteinases and other inflammatory mediators in the disruption of intestinal tight junction barrier”, is to provide an overview and current advances in understanding the role of MMPs and other pro-inflammatory cytokines in intestinal barrier function, with a particular focus on IBD and intestinal barrier dysfunction.
In this Research Topic, we welcome Original Research and Review articles, with a focus on, but not limited to, the following subtopics:
1. The molecular basis for MMPs and/or pro-inflammatory cytokines in the regulation of intestinal barrier function, regulation of inflammation and cellular function, in vitro and in vivo model systems for MMPs related disruption of TJ barrier and IBD pathogenesis.
2. Intracellular signaling pathways involved in the MMPs and/or pro-inflammatory cytokines regulation of intestinal barrier function and intestinal inflammation.
3. The exploration of novel effects of MMPs and /or other cytokines in intestinal barrier dysfunction.
4. Studies investigating interventions, solutions, or therapeutic targeting to prevent the inflammatory response of MMPs and other cytokines and strengthen epithelial barrier function are encouraged.
The intestinal epithelium is a single layer of cells within the gut lumen that serves an important protective function. It acts as a barrier to prevent harmful luminal contents and antigens from crossing the intestinal epithelium. Defective intestinal tight junction barrier (TJ), manifested by increased intestinal permeability, has been shown to contribute to the pathogenesis of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) including Crohn’s disease (CD) and ulcerative colitis (UC), celiac disease, and other inflammatory conditions of the gut. Enhancement of the intestinal TJ barrier function has been shown in several clinical studies to be a target as a new restorative approach in preventing intestinal inflammation.
Many matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) and other pro-inflammatory cytokines, including TNF-a, IL-1b, IL-6, IFN-g, among others have been implicated in the pathogenesis of intestinal inflammation in IBD and other inflammatory conditions of the gut. MMPs are classified into major subgroups including collagenases (MMP-1, -8, -13, -18), gelatinases (MMP -2, -9), stromelysins (MMP -3, -7, -10, -11, -19), elastase (MMP -12), and membrane type (MMP -1, -5). In addition, dysregulated expression of MMPs and other pro-inflammatory cytokines have been demonstrated to have a disruptive effect on the intestinal barrier function.
The purpose of this Research Topic, “Role of matrix metalloproteinases and other inflammatory mediators in the disruption of intestinal tight junction barrier”, is to provide an overview and current advances in understanding the role of MMPs and other pro-inflammatory cytokines in intestinal barrier function, with a particular focus on IBD and intestinal barrier dysfunction.
In this Research Topic, we welcome Original Research and Review articles, with a focus on, but not limited to, the following subtopics:
1. The molecular basis for MMPs and/or pro-inflammatory cytokines in the regulation of intestinal barrier function, regulation of inflammation and cellular function, in vitro and in vivo model systems for MMPs related disruption of TJ barrier and IBD pathogenesis.
2. Intracellular signaling pathways involved in the MMPs and/or pro-inflammatory cytokines regulation of intestinal barrier function and intestinal inflammation.
3. The exploration of novel effects of MMPs and /or other cytokines in intestinal barrier dysfunction.
4. Studies investigating interventions, solutions, or therapeutic targeting to prevent the inflammatory response of MMPs and other cytokines and strengthen epithelial barrier function are encouraged.