Abstract
Background: The regulation of intestinal barrier permeability is important in the maintenance of normal intestinal physiology. Sphingosine-1-phosphate (S1P) has been shown to play a pivotal role in enhancing barrier function in several non-intestinal tissues. The current study determined whether S1P regulated function of the intestinal epithelial barrier by altering expression of E-cadherin, an important protein in adherens junctions. Methods: Studies were performed upon cultured differentiated IECs (IEC-Cdx2L1 line) using standard techniques. Results: S1P treatment significantly increased levels of E-cadherin protein and mRNA in intestinal epithelial cells (IECs) and also led to E-cadherin localizing strongly to the cell-cell border. S1P also improved the barrier function as indicated by a decrease in 14C-mannitol paracellular permeability and an increase in transepithelial electrical resistance (TEER) in vitro. Conclusions: These results indicate that S1P increases levels of E-cadherin, both in cellular amounts and at the cell-cell junctions, and leads to improved barrier integrity in cultured intestinal epithelial cells.
Original language | English (US) |
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Pages (from-to) | 1342-1353 |
Number of pages | 12 |
Journal | Digestive diseases and sciences |
Volume | 56 |
Issue number | 5 |
DOIs | |
State | Published - May 2011 |
Externally published | Yes |
Keywords
- Ca signaling
- Intestinal barrier
- Intestinal epithelium
- Sphingosine
ASJC Scopus subject areas
- Physiology
- Gastroenterology