4.6 Review

Epithelial-mesenchymal transition in Crohn's disease

Journal

MUCOSAL IMMUNOLOGY
Volume 11, Issue 2, Pages 294-303

Publisher

NATURE PUBLISHING GROUP
DOI: 10.1038/mi.2017.107

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Funding

  1. National Science Foundation of China [81470820]

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Crohn's disease (CD) is often accompanied by the complications of intestinal strictures and fistulas. These complications remain obstacles in CDtreatment. In recent years, the importance of epithelial-mesenchymal transition in the pathogenesis of CD-associated fistulas and intestinal fibrosis has become apparent. Epithelial-mesenchymal transition refers to a dynamic change, wherein epithelial cells lose their polarity and adherence and acquire migratory function and fibroblast features. During formation of CD-associated fistulas, intestinal epithelial cells dislocate from the basement membrane and migrate to the lining of the fistula tracts, where they convert into transitional cells as a compensatory response under the insufficient wound healing condition. In CD-associated intestinal fibrosis, epithelial-mesenchymal transition may serve as a source of new fibroblasts and consequently lead to overproduction of extracellular matrix. In this review, we present current knowledge of epithelial-mesenchymal transition and its role in the pathogenesis of CD in order to highlight new therapy targets for the associated complications.

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