Eosinophils alter colonic epithelial barrier function: role for major basic protein.
Journal Article (Journal Article)
Mucosal eosinophils increase in a number of gastrointestinal diseases that are often associated with altered epithelial barrier function, including food allergic enteropathies and inflammatory bowel diseases. Although eosinophils are known to secrete biologically active mediators including granule proteins, their role in gastrointestinal diseases is uncertain. The aim of this study was to determine the impact of eosinophils on intestinal barrier function. Epithelial barrier function was determined in a coculture of eosinophils and T84 epithelial cells and in a murine model of T helper (Th) type 2-mediated colitis. Coculture conditions resulted in decreased transepithelial resistance (TER) and increased transepithelial flux. Cell-free coculture supernatants contained a > or =5-kDa soluble factor that also diminished TER; these supernatants contained the eosinophil-granule proteins major basic protein (MBP) and eosinophil-derived neurotoxin (EDN). T84 barrier function decreased significantly when basolateral surfaces were exposed to native human MBP but not EDN. Additional studies identified downregulation of the tight junctional molecule occludin as at least one mechanism for MBP action. MBP-null mice were protected from inflammation associated with oxazolone colitis compared with wild-type mice. In conclusion, MBP decreases epithelial barrier function and in this manner contributes to the pathogenesis of inflammatory bowel diseases.
Full Text
Duke Authors
Cited Authors
- Furuta, GT; Nieuwenhuis, EES; Karhausen, J; Gleich, G; Blumberg, RS; Lee, JJ; Ackerman, SJ
Published Date
- November 2005
Published In
Volume / Issue
- 289 / 5
Start / End Page
- G890 - G897
PubMed ID
- 16227527
International Standard Serial Number (ISSN)
- 0193-1857
Digital Object Identifier (DOI)
- 10.1152/ajpgi.00015.2005
Language
- eng
Conference Location
- United States