# Regulation of intestinal epithelial barrier function by intercellular junction proteins in health and disease

> **NIH NIH R01** · UNIVERSITY OF MICHIGAN AT ANN ARBOR · 2024 · $522,761

## Abstract

Abstract
Inflammatory bowel diseases are characterized by intestinal inflammation, increased mucosal cytokines and
compromised epithelial barrier function. Epithelial barrier function is regulated by 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 compromises epithelial homeostatic properties
thereby resulting in epithelial barrier compromise which contributes to disease pathogenesis. Our knowledge of
the molecular basis of intercellular junction protein cross-talk, epithelial homeostasis and compromised 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, barrier function and repair
after injury in disease. We will specifically investigate the role of two key intercellular junction proteins,
claudin23 and desmoglein 2 in regulating the intestinal epithelial barrier function and repair after injury. The
influence of inflammatory cytokines 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 strengthen the intestinal epithelial barrier, promote wound repair
and reduce mucosal inflammation. These studies will also provide insight into strategies of transiently
perturbing the epithelial barrier for therapeutic drug/vaccine delivery.

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 10846558
- **Project number:** 5R01DK059888-24
- **Recipient organization:** UNIVERSITY OF MICHIGAN AT ANN ARBOR
- **Principal Investigator:** ASMA NUSRAT
- **Activity code:** R01 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2024
- **Award amount:** $522,761
- **Award type:** 5
- **Project period:** 2001-09-24 → 2026-05-31

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/10846558

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 10846558, Regulation of intestinal epithelial barrier function by intercellular junction proteins in health and disease (5R01DK059888-24). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-23 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/10846558. Licensed CC0.

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