Regulation of mucosal structure and barrier function in rat colon exposed to tumor necrosis factor alpha and interferon gamma<i>in vitro</i>: A novel model for studying the pathomechanisms of inflammatory bowel disease cytokines

Abstract

A new experimental IBD model with native colon in vitro is presented. One-day exposure to TNFalpha and IFNgamma alters mucosal morphology and impairs epithelial barrier function by up-regulation of the paracellular pore-former claudin-2 and down-regulation of the barrier-builders claudin-1, -5, and -7. These alterations resemble changes seen in IBD and thus underline their prominent role in IBD pathogenicity.