Cystic fibrosis (CF) is caused by mutations in the CF transmembrane conductance regulator (CFTR), an anion channel providing a major pathway for Cl(-) and HCO3 (-) efflux across the apical membrane of the epithelium. In the intestine, CF manifests as obstructive syndromes, dysbiosis, inflammation, and an increased risk for gastrointestinal cancer. Cftr knockout (KO) mice recapitulate CF intesti...

The use of lanthanum salts has made possible the staining of extracellular regions which are not electron opaque when conventional methods of fixation and staining for electron microscopy are employed (3, 6, 10). The present work describes the staining of the intestinal epithelium by this means. Intercellular regions in the intestinal wall generally stain intensely, as has been described previo...

Small intestinal crypt epithelium obtained from normal fasting humans by peroral biopsy of the mucosa was studied with the electron microscope. Paneth cells were identified at the base of the crypts by their elaborate highly organized endoplasmic reticulum, large secretory granules, and small lysosome-like dense bodies within the cytoplasm. Undifferentiated cells were characterized by smaller c...

AIMS To investigate E-cadherin expression in normal and inflamed intestine, in the colonic adenocarcinoma cell line HT29, in normal fetal intestine, and in a fetal gut organ culture model where a T cell mediated enteropathy can be generated; to determine whether expression of E-cadherin changes in intestinal inflammation. METHODS Immunohistochemistry was used to determine E-cadherin expressio...

The biological characteristics and roles of insulin-like growth factor II mRNA-binding protein 3 protein (IMP3) expression in small-intestinal adenocarcinoma were investigated. The value of IMP3 immunostaining in the diagnosis of small-intestinal epithelial lesions was also evaluated. Immunohistochemical expression of IMP3 in normal small-intestinal mucosa adjacent to adenoma and adenocarcinoma...

Infectious and inflammatory diseases in the intestine remain a serious threat for patients world-wide. Reprogramming of intestinal epithelium towards protective effector state is important to manage inflammation immunity can be therapeutically targeted. The role epigenetic regulatory enzymes within these processes not yet defined. Here, we use mouse model that has an intestinal-epithelial speci...

BACKGROUND Following damage to the intestinal epithelium, restoration of epithelial barrier integrity is triggered by a robust proliferative response. In other tissues, focal adhesion kinase (FAK) regulates many of the cellular processes that are critical for epithelial homeostasis and restitution, including cell migration, proliferation and survival. However, few studies to date have determine...

The Wnt-APC-β-Catenin and RAS-RAF-MAPK signaling pathways serve to maintain homeostasis in the normal intestinal epithelium. This state is characterized by an equilibrium between stemness, proliferation, differentiation and cell death [1]. Recent studies by our group [2] and by Dow et al. [3] elucidate how oncogenes and tumor suppressors influence cell hierarchies during colorectal cancer (CRC)...

The chemosensory components shared by both lingual and intestinal epithelium play a critical role in food consumption and the regulation of intestinal functions. In addition to nutrient signals, other luminal contents, including micro-organisms, are important in signalling across the gastrointestinal mucosa and initiating changes in digestive functions. A potential role of gut microbiota in inf...

BACKGROUND & AIMS Patterning of the small intestinal epithelium along its cephalocaudal axis establishes three functionally distinct regions: duodenum, jejunum, and ileum. Efficient nutrient assimilation and growth depend on the proper spatial patterning of specialized digestive and absorptive functions performed by duodenal, jejunal, and ileal enterocytes. When enterocyte function is disrupted...