Sphingosine-1-phosphate regulates the expression of adherens junction protein E-cadherin and enhances intestinal epithelial cell barrier function.

Background: The regulation of intestinal barrier permeability is important in the maintenance of normal intestinal physiology. Sphingosine-1-phosphate (S1P) has been shown to play a pivotal role in enhancing barrier function in several non-intestinal tissues. The current study determined whether S1P regulated function of the intestinal epithelial barrier by altering expression of E-cadherin, an important protein in adherens junctions.

Methods: Studies were performed upon cultured differentiated IECs (IEC-Cdx2L1 line) using standard techniques.

Results: S1P treatment significantly increased levels of E-cadherin protein and mRNA in intestinal epithelial cells (IECs) and also led to E-cadherin localizing strongly to the cell-cell border. S1P also improved the barrier function as indicated by a decrease in 14C-mannitol paracellular permeability and an increase in transepithelial electrical resistance (TEER) in vitro.

Conclusions: These results indicate that S1P increases levels of E-cadherin, both in cellular amounts and at the cell-cell junctions, and leads to improved barrier integrity in cultured intestinal epithelial cells.