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Updated: Oct 9, 2025
An Intravital Microscopy-Based Approach to Assess Intestinal Permeability and Epithelial Cell Shedding Performance
Published on: December 3, 2020
The Impact of MicroRNAs during Inflammatory Bowel Disease: Effects on the Mucus Layer and Intercellular Junctions for
Sarah Stiegeler1, Kevin Mercurio1, Miruna Alexandra Iancu1
1Department of Microbiology, Moyne Institute of Preventative Medicine, School of Genetics and Microbiology, Trinity College Dublin, Dublin, Ireland.
Abstract:
Research on inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) has produced mounting evidence for the modulation of microRNAs (miRNAs) during pathogenesis. MiRNAs are small, non-coding RNAs that interfere with the translation of mRNAs. Their high stability in free circulation at various regions of the body allows researchers to utilise miRNAs as biomarkers and as a focus for potential treatments of IBD. Yet, their distinct regulatory roles at the gut epithelial barrier remain elusive due to the fact that there are several external and cellular factors contributing to gut permeability. This review focuses on how miRNAs may compromise two components of the gut epithelium that together form the initial physical barrier: the mucus layer and the intercellular epithelial junctions. Here, we summarise the impact of miRNAs on goblet cell secretion and mucin structure, along with the proper function of various junctional proteins involved in paracellular transport, cell adhesion and communication. Knowledge of how this elaborate network of cells at the gut epithelial barrier becomes compromised as a result of dysregulated miRNA expression, thereby contributing to the development of IBD, will support the generation of miRNA-associated biomarker panels and therapeutic strategies that detect and ameliorate gut permeability.
Insights
MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are implicated in inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) pathogenesis. This review explores how miRNAs impact the gut barrier, affecting mucus and junctions, which is crucial for IBD biomarker and treatment development.
Area of Science:
- Gastroenterology
- Molecular Biology
- Immunology
Background:
- MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are increasingly recognized as key players in inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) pathogenesis.
- Their stability and presence in circulation make them promising biomarkers and therapeutic targets for IBD.
- However, the specific roles of miRNAs in regulating the gut epithelial barrier remain largely unclear.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review the impact of miRNAs on the gut epithelial barrier.
- To elucidate how miRNAs compromise the mucus layer and intercellular epithelial junctions in IBD.
- To highlight the potential of miRNAs in developing IBD biomarkers and therapies.
Main Methods:
- Literature review focusing on miRNA regulation of gut epithelial components.
- Analysis of miRNA involvement in goblet cell secretion and mucin structure.
- Examination of miRNA effects on junctional proteins regulating paracellular transport, adhesion, and communication.
Main Results:
- Dysregulated miRNA expression affects goblet cell function and mucin production, compromising the mucus layer.
- miRNAs influence the expression and function of key junctional proteins, disrupting epithelial integrity.
- These alterations in the gut barrier contribute to the pathogenesis of IBD.
Conclusions:
- miRNAs play a critical role in maintaining the integrity of the gut epithelial barrier.
- Understanding miRNA-mediated disruption of the gut barrier is essential for IBD research.
- Targeting miRNAs offers a promising avenue for developing novel diagnostic and therapeutic strategies for IBD.
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