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Crohn's disease

TCF1 regulates Paneth cell α-defensins

Nature Reviews Gastroenterology & Hepatology volume 11, page 517 (2014)Cite this article

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A new study by Beisner et al. suggests that the transcription factor TCF1 (also known as TCF7) is involved in ileal Crohn's disease pathogenesis. TCF1 was shown to transactivate the expression of DEFA5 and DEFA6, genes that encode two Paneth cell α-defensins.

TCF1 is part of the Wnt signalling pathway, which regulates Paneth cell biology. Amongst other roles, Paneth cells help to maintain intestinal barrier function by secreting antimicrobial peptides such as α-defensins. Importantly, phenotypic dysfunction of Paneth cells is a feature of Crohn's disease.

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References

  1. Beisner, J. et al. TCF-1 mediated Wnt signalling regulates Paneth cell innate immune defense effectors HD-5 and -6: implications for Crohn's disease. Am. J. Physiol. Gastrointest. Liver Physiol. 10.1152/ajpgi.00347.2013

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Authors
  1. Gillian Patman
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Cite this article

Patman, G. TCF1 regulates Paneth cell α-defensins. Nat Rev Gastroenterol Hepatol 11, 517 (2014). https://doi.org/10.1038/nrgastro.2014.128

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/nrgastro.2014.128

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