Ulcerative colitis is a chronic, incurable inflammatory disease of the colon that can lead to lasting tissue damage, requiring surgery to remove damaged colon. A key source of damage in ulcerative colitis is failure of the protective mucus layer that normally shields the colonic lining. When the protective mucus is compromised, noxious substances in the feces can damage the lining, triggering or worsening inflammation.
In the digestive tract, mucus is produced by specialized cells called goblet cells. There are several subtypes of goblet cells, each of which has a distinct role, making it difficult to identify which population is most important for barrier failure in ulcerative colitis. This project will study intercrypt goblet cells (icGC), which sits on the lining surface where it meets the feces. I found that people with ulcerative colitis have fewer of these cells, which coincides with the presence of inflammation.
This study will determine if the loss of icGC causes mucus barrier collapse in ulcerative colitis, and identify the factors that cause icGC to be lost or to recover. The work aims to find measurable signs of mucus failure and to point toward ways to protect the mucus layer and reduce intestinal inflammation.