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.