Evidence for a Potential Role of Metallothioneins in Inflammatory Bowel Diseases

Figure 1

MT functions relevant in IBD. IBD is characterized by the presence of an increased level of ROS in the mucosal intestinal tissue as well as oxidative DNA and protein damage, defective host-microbe interactions, immune cell infiltration, and a disturbed T cell apoptosis. On all of these elements, MTs can have effects. In addition, MTs can have a dual role in enzyme activation through the release or sequestration of zinc. Finally, MTs are reported to regulate the activation of the transcription factor NF-𝜅B, which has a key role in inflammatory responses.