Protocadherin 20 maintains intestinal barrier function to protect against Crohn's disease by targeting ATF6

We identified cadherin superfamily member protocadherin 20 (PCDH20) as a crucial factor in CD using transcriptome sequencing. Thus,we elucidated the function and mechanisms of PCDH20 in gut homeostasis, barrier integrity, and CD development. Overall design: Mucosal biopsies were obtained at endoscopy from the colon of 10 Crohn's disease (CD) patients and 10 controls that matched in terms of gender, age, and location. The biopsies of CD patients were taken at the most affected sites but at a distance of ulcerations.