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

> **NIH NIH R01** · UNIVERSITY OF MICHIGAN AT ANN ARBOR · 2020 · $506,774

## Abstract

Abstract
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- and
anti-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 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.

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 9926845
- **Project number:** 5R01DK059888-20
- **Recipient organization:** UNIVERSITY OF MICHIGAN AT ANN ARBOR
- **Principal Investigator:** ASMA NUSRAT
- **Activity code:** R01 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2020
- **Award amount:** $506,774
- **Award type:** 5
- **Project period:** 2001-09-23 → 2021-09-15

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/9926845

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 9926845, Regulation of intestinal epithelial barrier function by intercellular junction proteins in health and disease (5R01DK059888-20). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-23 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/9926845. Licensed CC0.

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