Matrix metalloproteinase-7 and claudin-7 as novel identified therapeutic targets for restoration of intestinal epithelial barrier in inflammatory bowel diseases

ABSTRACT

Intestinal tight junction disruption and mucosal immune dysregulation contribute to pathogenesis and progression of inflammatory bowel diseases (IBD). A proteolytic enzyme matrix metalloproteinase 7 (MMP-7), which is highly expressed in intestinal tissue, is implicated to IBD and other immune overactivation-associated diseases. In the issue of the Frontiers in Immunology, Ying Xiao and colleagues demonstrate that MMP-7-mediated claudin-7 degradation promotes IBD pathogenesis and disease progression. Therefore, inhibition of MMP-7 enzymatic activity can be a therapeutic strategy for the treatment of IBD.

KEYWORDS:

• Matrix metalloproteinase 7 (MMP-7)
• claudin-7
• inflammatory bowel diseases (IBD)
• colitis
• Tight junction

Acknowledgments

Studies in the authors’ laboratory are funded by National Research Council of Thailand (NRCT) (Grant No. N42A650225) (to PP).

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the authors.

Additional information

Funding

This work was supported by the National Research Council of Thailand [N42A650225].