Does early maternal separation induce alterations of colonic epithelial permeability and morphology?
These preliminary observations indicate that neonatal maternal separation increases colonic trans-cellular permeability. This increase may be caused by the change of the transmural colonic morphology. The underlying mechanism is unknown and further investigation is necessary as it is of relevance to the development of early intestinal diseases such as necrotizing enterocolitis.
Taken together, our results demonstrate that EDPs exert protumoural activities through an Hsp90-dependent mechanism involving pro-MMP-2 and uPA.