Exploration of genetic alterations affecting desmosomes and tight junctions in childhood inflammatory bowel disease (C04)

• Subject Area: Pediatric and Adolescent Medicine
• Term: since 2026
• Project identifier: Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG) - Project number 547068789

Defective intestinal barrier functions, caused by alterations of tight junctions (TJs), adherens junctions (AJs), and desmosomes, play a crucial role in IBD pathogenesis. C04 aims to decipher the molecular phenotypes and mechanisms of DSG2 and TJP3 deficiencies in advanced disease models. Functional analyses include the assessment of intestinal epithelial cell polarization, desmosome/TJ structures, and barrier permeability in isolated intestinal segments.

• DFG Programme: CRC/Transregios
• Subproject of: TRR 425: Desmosomal dysfunction in epithelial barriers (DEFINE)
• Applicant Institution: Philipps-Universität Marburg
• Project Head: Professor Dr. Daniel Kotlarz