Crohn’s Disease (CD) is an inflammatory disorder of the intestines caused by a
dysregulated immune response to resident gut bacteria. Presently, most treatments for CD
suppress the host immune system, which can lead to adverse side effects such as
increased susceptibility to infections and malignancy. Hence, low-risk alternative
treatment options are needed. Studies suggest that defects in Paneth cells (PCs) contribute to CD pathogenesis. PCs are specialized intestinal epithelial cells that regulate the gut microbiota through the secretion of antimicrobial peptides (AMPs). However, the reciprocal impact of the gut microbiota, as well as the role of the underlying intestinal stroma on PC function is still unclear.Bachelor of Art
