Abstract
Abstract Deficits in gastrointestinal (GI) epithelial barrier function play important roles in the pathogenesis of Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD). The CDH1 gene encoding E-cadherin, a key component of the epithelial junctional complex, is associated with Ulcerative Colitis (UC), and perhaps Crohn’s disease (CD). E-cadherin is the principle adhesive component of the adherens junction, and it regulates paracellular permeability by facilitating the formation of tight junctions and organizing the entire epithelial junction complex. We have identified monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) that bind to E-cadherin and activate adhesion in a variety of epithelial cells. In this study, we aim to test the hypothesis that strengthening E-cadherin adhesion with activating mAbs will enhance barrier function and decrease progression of IBD while maintaining mucosal health and homeostasis. Mouse mAbs to E-cadherin have been tested in vivo using the IL10-knock out mouse and adoptive T cell transfer model of colitis with similar histological evaluation. Transfer of CD4+CD45Rb high T cells from donor to immunocompromised mice produced typical histologic lesions for the adoptive transfer model including inflammation of the mucosa/submucosa, crypt damage, erosions, edema, and epithelial hyperplasia. E-Cadherin activating mAb (r56.4) treatment reduced total colitis score, mucosal hyperplasia, inflammation, gland loss scores, and neutrophilic infiltration in CD45Rb high T cell recipient mice compared to control E-cad mAb (r19.1–10) treatment. In IL10 KO BL6 mouse model of colitis, average lesion severity scores were lower in the r56.4 treatment group in comparison to the r19.1–10 treatment group for all the histological hallmarks of colitis. Further studies are in progress to investigate the therapeutic potential of E-Cadherin mAbs in the rescue of inflammation in pre-clinical mouse models of colitis.
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