Specific Gene- and MicroRNA-Expression Pattern Contributes to the Epithelial to Mesenchymal Transition in a Rat Model of Experimental Colitis

Figure 6

Characteristic features of epithelial to mesenchymal transition at the site of colon inflammation in TNBS-induced rat model of experimental colitis. Because of the downregulated expression, microRNAs are no longer able to regulate the expression of their target genes at the site of colonic inflammation; hence, the expression of genes specific for mesenchymal phenotype increases. Upregulated Zeb2 expression, in turn, downregulates the expression of Cdh1 which further promotes the loss of epithelial phenotype.