Ron receptor signaling is protective against DSS-induced colitis in mice.

ABSTRACT: Inflammatory bowel diseases (IBD) are chronic inflammatory disorders of the intestine that result in painful and debilitating complications. Currently no cure exists for IBD, and treatments are primarily aimed at reducing inflammation to alleviate symptoms. Genome-wide linkage studies have identified the Ron receptor tyrosine kinase (TK) and its ligand, hepatocyte growth factor-like protein (HGFL), as genes highly associated with IBD. However, only scant information exists on the role of Ron or HGFL in IBD. Based on the linkage of Ron to IBD, we directly examined the biological role of Ron in colitis. Wild-type mice and mice lacking the TK signaling domain of Ron (TK-/- mice) were utilized in a well-characterized model of chronic colitis induced by cyclic exposure to dextran sulfate sodium

SUBMITTER: Kulkarni RM 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC4059975 | biostudies-literature | 2014 Jun

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature