What is the function of NOD2 in colonic epithelial cells?
NOD2 is a cytosolic pattern recognition receptor similar in structure and function to Toll like receptors (TLRs). It can recognize and respond to a component found in the cell wall of bacteria, muramyl dipeptide (MDP), and has been shown to play an important role in the innate immune response of macrophages to bacterial infections. However, the function of NOD2 in the gastrointestinal tract and the colon and its contribution of mutant NOD2 alleles to the pathogenesis of CD is still unclear. A research article to be published on October 14, 2008 in the World Journal of Gastroenterology addresses this question. The research team led by Professor Simon Carding from the University of Leeds used in vivo and in vitro studies to analyse the specific function of NOD2 in colonic epithelial cells. They found that NOD2 was predominantly expressed in epithelial cells at the base of colonic crypts, where the majority of cells are undergoing proliferation. In addition, NOD2’s ligand, MDP, stimulated
