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Johan D Söderholm is a Professor Emeritus at Linköping University with a profound expertise in surgery, particularly focusing on mucosal barrier function and its initiation in intestinal inflammation. His research centers around inflammatory bowel diseases (IBD), which are characterized by severe chronic intestinal inflammation significantly impacting patients' quality of life. The incidence of IBD is on the rise, and existing treatments often fall short in terms of efficacy and safety. His overall aim is to elucidate the mechanisms governing epithelial barrier function, including the role of interacting commensal bacteria in the communication that leads to the induction of IBD. Söderholm utilizes unique methodologies such as micro-systems studies of gut physiology and endoscopic biopsies from both inflamed and normal human intestinal mucosa. Recent findings from his laboratory have highlighted the role of neuropeptide-releasing eosinophils as a crucial missing link in the regulation of the epithelial barrier in ulcerative colitis. His work has also established the importance of follicle-associated epithelium (FAE) in Crohn’s disease. Future projects are expected to provide new insights into the neuro-immune interactions involving gut microbiota and probiotics, particularly how they influence intestinal barrier integrity during inflammation and stress, thus enhancing the understanding of key steps in IBD pathogenesis and paving the way for novel therapeutic strategies for these debilitating diseases.
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