Outline of Final Research Achievements |
Damaged colonic mucosa by inflammation is regenerated through mucosal repair centered on crosstalk between epithelial cells and immune cells, however mucosal repair is a complex event and details are still unknown. Therefore, in order to clarify mechanisms of mucosal repair, we conducted an international joint research with the University of Michigan School of Medicine. As a result, we discovered a new mechanism of mucosal repair regulated by leukotriene B4 and its receptor BLT1, which have been recognized as inflammatory mediators. In other words, we demonstrated for the first time at the cellular and biological levels that colonic epithelial cells express BLT1, its expression is elevated under inflammation, and that BLT1 in colonic epithelial cells plays a role in promoting mucosal repair after injury.
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