Apical junction complex proteins and ulcerative colitis: a focus on the PTPRS gene

摘要

Inflammatory bowel disease is a complex multifactorial disease with a strong geneticncomponent. Recent studies have identified innate immunity (NOD2), autophagy (ATG16L1)nand Th17 pathway (IL23R) genes in the pathogenesis of Crohn’s disease. The pathogenesis ofnulcerative colitis (UC) is less clear; however, there is growing evidence that proteins involvednin the apical junction complex are involved in UC. Here we review the up-to-date studies onnthe genetic basis for IBD and explore the newly described UC-associated apical junctionncomplex pointing to a primary defect in barrier defense. We will focus on the PTPRSn(encoding PTPσ) gene and discuss its and other apical junction complex proteins’ role in thenpathogenesis of UC.