CADHERIN-11, AN ESSENTIAL REGULATOR OF CELL-CELL ADHESION UPREGULATED IN IBD PATIENTS, PLAYS ESSENTIAL ROLES IN PROMOTING FIBROBLAST ACTIVATION AND DEVELOPMENT OF INTESTINAL INFLAMMATION AND FIBROSIS

Abstract

Intestinal fibrosis is a severe complication of inflammatory bowel diseases (IBD) leading to intestinal strictures and need for surgery. No effective anti-fibrotic therapy is available. Cadherin-11 (Cad-11) is an adherens junction protein, which is upregulated in rheumatoid arthritis (RA), idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) and skin fibrosis. Inhibition of cadherin-11 has shown beneficial effects in RA and IPF animal models. A phase II clinical trial of cadherin-11 inhibition in RA has shown a good safety profile.