Related Experiment Video
Updated: May 14, 2026
07:32
An Intravital Microscopy-Based Approach to Assess Intestinal Permeability and Epithelial Cell Shedding Performance
Published on: December 3, 2020
ACF7 regulates colonic permeability.
Yong Liang1, Chenzhang Shi, Jun Yang
1Department of Surgery, The Sixth People's Hospital Affiliated to Shanghai Jiaotong University, Shanghai 200233, PR China.
International Journal of Molecular Medicine
|February 22, 2013
Summary
Actin crosslinking factor 7 (ACF7) deficiency in mice disrupts intestinal epithelial cell arrangement, leading to reduced colonic paracellular permeability. This suggests ACF7 is crucial for maintaining gut barrier function.
Area of Science:
- Gastroenterology
- Cell Biology
- Molecular Biology
Background:
- Colonic paracellular permeability is vital for intestinal barrier function.
- Cytoskeletal dynamics significantly influence this permeability.
- Actin crosslinking factor 7 (ACF7) is recognized for its role in cytoskeletal regulation.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the physiological role of ACF7 in the intestinal mucosa.
- To determine the impact of ACF7 deficiency on colonic paracellular permeability.
- To elucidate the molecular mechanisms underlying ACF7's effect on the gut barrier.
Main Methods:
- Conditional knockout of ACF7 in the intestinal mucosa of mice.
- Histopathological analysis of intestinal tissues.
- Ussing chamber and FITC-inulin assay to measure paracellular permeability.
- Analysis of tight junction protein expression (ZO-1, occludin, claudin-1) via Western blot and immunofluorescence.
Main Results:
- ACF7 deficiency caused significant interstitial proliferation and epithelial cell rearrangement.
- A marked decrease in colonic paracellular permeability was observed.
- Expression and localization of tight junction proteins ZO-1, occludin, and claudin-1 were significantly downregulated.
- Immunofluorescence confirmed reduced staining for these key tight junction proteins.
Conclusions:
- ACF7 plays a critical role in maintaining intestinal epithelial cell arrangement.
- ACF7 is essential for regulating colonic paracellular permeability.
- ACF7 influences gut barrier integrity likely through its regulation of tight junction protein expression and localization, mediated by cytoskeletal dynamics.
Related Concept Videos
01:20Inflammatory Bowel Disease II: Ulcerative Colitis
Ulcerative colitis is a chronic inflammatory disorder of the colon characterized by continuous mucosal inflammation that typically begins in the rectum and extends proximally in a uniform pattern. Its pathogenesis involves a complex interplay of genetic predisposition, immune dysregulation, and environmental influences. These factors converge to impair the colon’s epithelial defenses and promote an exaggerated inflammatory response against luminal contents.Breakdown of the Mucosal BarrierA...
01:25Regulation of the Digestive System
Digestive activity regulation hinges on three primary components. Activation is prompted by a multitude of mechanical and chemical indicators, primarily detected by receptors within the stomach and intestines' walls. These receptors predominantly respond to factors such as mechanical stretching of the organ walls, changes in pH and osmolarity, and the presence of digesting materials and their by-products.
The effectors in this regulation system are glands and smooth muscles. Activation of these...
The effectors in this regulation system are glands and smooth muscles. Activation of these...
01:27Inflammatory Bowel Disease I: Ulcerative Colitis
Introduction
Inflammatory bowel disease, or IBD, encompasses a group of disorders characterized by chronic inflammation or ulceration of the gastrointestinal tract.
Risk Factors
The exact cause of IBD remains unclear, although it is believed to be due to a mix of genetic, environmental, microbial, and immune factors. Genetic factors are significant in determining susceptibility to IBD, with family history being a critical risk factor. Individuals with a first-degree relative who has IBD are at...
Inflammatory bowel disease, or IBD, encompasses a group of disorders characterized by chronic inflammation or ulceration of the gastrointestinal tract.
Risk Factors
The exact cause of IBD remains unclear, although it is believed to be due to a mix of genetic, environmental, microbial, and immune factors. Genetic factors are significant in determining susceptibility to IBD, with family history being a critical risk factor. Individuals with a first-degree relative who has IBD are at...