Early molecular and functional changes in colonic epithelium that precede increased gut permeability during colitis development in mdr1a(-/-) mice.

Background: The early molecular changes preceding the onset of mucosal inflammation in colitis and their temporal relationship with gut permeability remain poorly defined. This study investigated functional and transcriptomic changes in mdr1a(-/-) mice lacking the intestinal transporter P-glycoprotein, which develop colitis spontaneously when exposed to normal enteric flora.

Methods: Mdr1a(-/-) mice were housed in specific pathogen-free conditions to slow colitis development and compared to congenic controls.