Related Experiment Video
Updated: Nov 14, 2025

Non-invasive Assessment of the Efficacy of New Therapeutics for Intestinal Pathologies Using Serial Endoscopic Imaging of Live Mice
Published on: March 10, 2015
Role of HCA2 in Regulating Intestinal Homeostasis and Suppressing Colon Carcinogenesis
Zhuoyue Li1, Kayleen J McCafferty1, Robert L Judd1
1Department of Anatomy, Physiology and Pharmacology, College of Veterinary Medicine, Auburn University, Auburn, AL, United States.
Abstract:
Hydroxycarboxylic acid receptor 2 (HCA2) is vital for sensing intermediates of metabolism, including β-hydroxybutyrate and butyrate. It also regulates profound anti-inflammatory effects in various tissues, indicating that HCA2 may serve as an essential therapeutic target for mediating inflammation-associated diseases. Butyrate and niacin, endogenous and exogenous ligands of HCA2, have been reported to play an essential role in maintaining intestinal homeostasis. HCA2, predominantly expressed in diverse immune cells, is also present in intestinal epithelial cells (IECs), where it regulates the intricate communication network between diet, microbiota, and immune cells. This review summarizes the physiological role of HCA2 in intestinal homeostasis and its pathological role in intestinal inflammation and cancer.
Related Concept Videos
Role Of Notch Signalling In Intestinal Stem Cell Renewal
Direct cell-to-cell contact is needed for the activation of Notch signaling. The signal is initiated when a notch ligand binds to a receptor on an adjacent cell, also...
Renewal of Intestinal Stem Cells
Cancer Prevention
Some...
Regulation of the Digestive System
The effectors in this regulation system are glands and smooth muscles. Activation of...
Role of Ephrin-Eph Signalling in Intestinal Stem Cell Renewal
Hedgehog Signaling Pathway

