Project description:Inflammatory bowel diseases (IBD) such as ulcerative colitis (UC) represent serious health burdens because of both the tissue-damaging disease itself and an elevated risk of colon cancer. The increased expression of many members of the matrix metalloproteinase (MMP) family of enzymes that occurs in colitis has long been associated with the destructive nature of the disease. Recent findings in cancer and other MMP-associated diseases, however, led us to question whether MMPs are indeed detrimental in the setting of colitis. Here, we focus on a single MMP family member, MMP10, and assess its role in a murine model of colonic tissue damage induced by dextran sulfate sodium (DSS) treatment. Using mice genetically deficient for MMP10, we find that absence of this enzyme leads to significantly worse disease scores and failure to resolve inflammation even after extended recovery periods. We show that MMP10 is produced predominantly by infiltrating myeloid cells in both murine and human colitis. Through bone marrow transplant experiments, we confirm that bone marrow-derived MMP10 contributes to colitis severity. Mice lacking MMP10 have a significantly higher propensity for development of dysplastic lesions in the colon after two rounds of DSS exposure. Thus, we conclude that MMP10 is required for resolution of DSS-induced colonic damage, and in its absence, chronic inflammation and ultimately dysplasia occurs.
Project description:Background and aimsAcute severe steroid-refractory ulcerative colitis remains a medically challenging condition with frequent need of surgery. It can be treated with the calcineurin inhibitor cyclosporine A with the need for therapeutic drug monitoring and significant toxicity. Recently, a novel calcineurin inhibitor, voclosporin, has been approved for the treatment of lupus nephritis with no need for therapeutic drug monitoring and an improved long-term safety profile. However, the therapeutic effect of voclosporin in acute severe steroid-refractory ulcerative colitis is still uncertain. We aimed to assess the therapeutic potential of voclosporin to ameliorate inflammation in an experimental model of colitis.MethodsWe used the dextran sodium sulfate-induced model of colitis in C57BL/6 J wildtype mice treated with either cyclosporine A, voclosporin or solvent control. We employed endoscopy, histochemistry, immunofluorescence, bead-based multiplex immunoassays and flow cytometry to study the therapeutic effect of calcineurin inhibitors in a preventive setting.ResultsAcute colitis was induced by dextran sodium sulfate characterized by weight loss, diarrhea, mucosal erosions and rectal bleeding. Both cyclosporine A and voclosporin strongly ameliorated the course of disease and reduced colitis severity in a similar manner.ConclusionVoclosporin was identified as biologically effective in a preclinical model of colitis and may be a potential therapeutic option in treating acute severe steroid-refractory ulcerative colitis.
Project description:Several studies demonstrate the protective effect of Trichinella spiralis (T. spiralis) on autoimmune diseases, however the optimal exposure time remains unexplored. This study aimed to determine whether pre-exposure of mice to T. spiralis conferred greater protection than introduction of the parasite in the acute phase of experimental colitis. We compared the effect of T. spiralis on dextran sodium sulfate (DSS)-induced colitis using two exposure paradigms: introduction three weeks prior to, or immediately after the induction period. Inflammation scores, morphological changes and cytokine profiles in serum and colonic tissue were assessed. At a parasite dose of 300 cysts, post exposure had a more pronounced effect on cytokine profiles, improved gross appearance of colon tissue, and reduced inflammatory symptoms. In addition, we demonstrate that regardless of cyst number, pre-exposure to T. spiralis did not confer protective benefits when compared to parasite introduction in the acute phase of DSS-induced colitis. Moreover, our data indicates that the underlying mechanisms of action involve an IL-17/TNF-alpha synergistic reaction, suppression of Th1 and Th2 responses, and an upregulation of the regulatory cytokines IL-10 and TGF-beta 1. Our results demonstrate that moderate exposure to T. spiralis in the acute phase of DSS-induced colitis improves disease associated inflammation and tissue disruption.
Project description:The immune response is regulated, in part, by effector cells whose activation requires multiple signals. For example, T cells require signals emanating from the T cell antigen receptor and co-stimulatory molecules for full activation. Here, we present evidence indicating that IgE-mediated hypersensitivity reactions in vivo also require cognate signals to activate mast cells. Immediate hypersensitivity reactions in the conjunctiva are ablated in mice deficient in eotaxin-1, despite normal numbers of tissue mast cells and levels of IgE. To further define the co-stimulatory signals mediated by chemokine receptor 3 (CCR3), an eotaxin-1 receptor, effects of CCR3 blockade were tested with an allergic conjunctivitis model and in ex vivo isolated connective tissue-type mast cells. Our results show that CCR3 blockade significantly suppresses allergen-mediated hypersensitivity reactions as well as IgE-mediated mast cell degranulation. We propose that a co-stimulatory axis by CCR3, mainly stimulated by eotaxin-1, is pivotal in mast cell-mediated hypersensitivity reactions.
Project description:Introduction: The pannexin-1 (Panx1) channels are found in many cell types, and ATP released from these channels can act on nearby cells activating purinergic P2X7 receptors (P2X7R) which lead to inflammation. Although Panx1 and P2X7R are implicated in the process of inflammation and cell death, few studies have looked at the role they play in inflammatory bowel disease in human. Hence, the aim of the present study was to investigate the function of Panx1 and P2X7R in an ex vivo colitis model developed from human colonic mucosal explants. Materials and Methods: Healthy human colonic mucosal strips (4 × 10 mm) were incubated in carbogenated culture medium at 37°C for 16 h. Proinflammatory cytokines TNFα and IL-1β (each 10 ng/mL) were used to induce colitis in mucosal strips, and the effects of Panx1 and P2X7R on cytokines-induced tissue damage were determined in the presence of the Panx1 channel blocker 10Panx1 (100 μM) and P2X7R antagonist A438079 (100 μM). The effects of 10Panx1 and A438079 on cytokines-enhanced epithelial permeability were also studied using Caco-2 cells. Results: Histological staining showed that the mucosal strips had severe structural damage in the cytokines-only group but not in the incubation-control group (P < 0.01). Compared to the cytokines-only group, crypt damage was significantly decreased in groups receiving cytokines with inhibitors (10Panx1, A438079, or 10Panx1 + A438079, P < 0.05). The immunoreactive signals of tight junction protein zonula occludens-1 (ZO-1) were abundant in all control tissues but were significantly disrupted and lost in the cytokines-only group (P < 0.01). The diminished ZO-1 immunoreactivity induced by cytokines was prevented in the presence of 10Panx1 (P = 0.04). Likewise, 10Panx1 significantly attenuated the cytokines-evoked increase in paracellular permeability of Caco-2 cells. Although the inhibition of P2X7R activity by A438079 diminished cytokines-induced crypt damage, its effect on the maintenance of ZO-1 immunoreactivity and Caco-2 epithelial cell integrity was less evident. Conclusion: The blockade of Panx1 and P2X7R reduced the inflammatory cytokines-induced crypt damage, loss of tight junctions and increase in cell permeability. Thus, Panx1 and P2X7R may have roles in causing mucosal damage, a common clinical feature of inflammatory bowel disease.
Project description:The myeloid translocation genes (MTGs) are transcriptional corepressors with both Mtg8(-/-) and Mtgr1(-/-) mice showing developmental and/or differentiation defects in the intestine. We sought to determine the role of MTG16 in intestinal integrity.Baseline and stress induced colonic phenotypes were examined in Mtg16(-/-) mice. To unmask phenotypes, we treated Mtg16(-/-) mice with dextran sodium sulphate (DSS) or infected them with Citrobacter rodentium and the colons were examined for ulceration and for changes in proliferation, apoptosis and inflammation.Mtg16(-/-) mice have altered immune subsets, suggesting priming towards Th1 responses. Mtg16(-/-) mice developed increased weight loss, diarrhoea, mortality and histological colitis and there were increased innate (Gr1(+), F4/80(+), CD11c(+) and MHCII(+); CD11c(+)) and Th1 adaptive (CD4) immune cells in Mtg16(-/-) colons after DSS treatment. Additionally, there was increased apoptosis and a compensatory increased proliferation in Mtg16(-/-) colons. Compared with wild-type mice, Mtg16(-/-) mice exhibited increased colonic CD4;IFN-? cells in vehicle-treated and DSS-treated mice. Adoptive transfer of wild-type marrow into Mtg16(-/-) recipients did not rescue the Mtg16(-/-) injury phenotype. Isolated colonic epithelial cells from DSS-treated Mtg16(-/-) mice exhibited increased KC (Cxcl1) mRNA expression when compared with wild-type mice. Mtg16(-/-) mice infected with C rodentium had more severe colitis and greater bacterial colonisation. Last, MTG16 mRNA levels were reduced in human ulcerative colitis versus normal colon tissues.These observations indicate that MTG16 is critical for colonocyte survival and regeneration in response to intestinal injury and provide evidence that this transcriptional corepressor regulates inflammatory recruitment in response to injury.
Project description:BackgroundThe mucus gel layer (MGL) lining the colon is integral to exclusion of bacteria and maintaining intestinal homeostasis in health and disease. Some MGL defects allowing bacteria to directly contact the colonic surface are commonly observed in ulcerative colitis (UC). The major macromolecular component of the colonic MGL is the secreted gel-forming mucin MUC2, whose expression is essential for homeostasis in health. In UC, another gel-forming mucin, MUC5AC, is induced. In mice, Muc5ac is protective during intestinal helminth infection. Here we tested the expression and functional role of MUC5AC/Muc5ac in UC biopsies and murine colitis.MethodsWe measured MUC5AC/Muc5ac expression in UC biopsies and in dextran sulfate sodium (DSS) colitis. We performed DSS colitis in mice deficient in Muc5ac (Muc5ac-/-) to model the potential functional role of Muc5ac in colitis. To assess MGL integrity, we quantified bacterial-epithelial interaction and translocation to mesenteric lymph nodes. Antibiotic treatment and 16S rRNA gene sequencing were performed to directly investigate the role of bacteria in murine colitis.ResultsColonic MUC5AC/Muc5ac mRNA expression increased significantly in active UC and murine colitis. Muc5ac-/- mice experienced worsened injury and inflammation in DSS colitis compared with control mice. This result was associated with increased bacterial-epithelial contact and translocation to the mesenteric lymph nodes. However, no change in microbial abundance or community composition was noted. Antibiotic treatment normalized colitis severity in Muc5ac-/- mice to that of antibiotic-treated control mice.ConclusionsMUC5AC/Muc5ac induction in the acutely inflamed colon controls injury by reducing bacterial breach of the MGL.
Project description:Inflammatory bowel disease is an autoimmune disease that causes chronic inflammation of the gastrointestinal tract. Endothelial dysfunction, defined by a reduced endothelial barrier and an increase in the expression of adhesion molecules, is part of the pathology of inflammatory bowel disease. In this study, we assessed the therapeutic effect of CU06-1004, an endothelial dysfunction blocker that reduces vascular hyperpermeability and inflammation in a mouse model of colitis. Acute colitis was induced in mice using 3% (w/v) dextran sodium sulfate added to their drinking water for 7 days. Twenty-four hours after the addition of dextran sodium sulfate, either mesalazine or CU06-1004 was administered orally each day. Administration of CU06-1004 significantly reduced the clinical manifestations (weight loss, diarrhea, and bloody stool) and histological changes (epithelium loss, inflammatory cell infiltration, and crypt destruction) induced by dextran sodium sulfate. Proinflammatory cytokines were also reduced, indicating that inflammation was ameliorated. From a vascular perspective, CU06-1004 reduced interrupted and tortuous vessels, enhanced junction protein expression, and reduced inflammatory adhesion molecules, indicating a broad improvement of endothelial dysfunction. Endothelial protection induced epithelial barrier restoration and decreased epithelial inflammation. Blocking endothelial dysfunction with CU06-1004 significantly ameliorated the progression of inflammatory bowel disease. Therefore, CU06-1004 may represent a potential therapeutic agent for the treatment of inflammatory bowel disease as well as other inflammatory diseases.
Project description:Intestinal remodeling and stricture formation is a complication of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) that often requires surgical intervention. Although eosinophils are associated with mucosal remodeling in other organs and are increased in IBD tissues, their role in IBD-associated remodeling is unclear. Histological and molecular features of ileitis and remodeling were assessed using immunohistochemical, histomorphometric, flow cytometric, and molecular analysis (real-time RT-PCR) techniques in a murine model of chronic eosinophilic ileitis. Collagen protein was assessed by Sircol assay. Using a spontaneous eosinophilic Crohn's-like mouse model SAMP1/SkuSlc, we demonstrate an association between ileitis progression and remodeling over the course of 40 weeks. Mucosal and submucosal eosinophilia increased over the time course and correlated with increased histological inflammatory indices. Ileitis and remodeling increased over the 40 weeks, as did expression of fibronectin. CCR3-specific antibody-mediated reduction of eosinophils resulted in significant decrease in goblet cell hyperplasia, muscularis propria hypertrophy, villus blunting, and expression of inflammatory and remodeling genes, including fibronectin. Cellularity of local mesenteric lymph nodes, including T- and B-lymphocytes, was also significantly reduced. Thus, eosinophils participate in intestinal remodeling, supporting eosinophils as a novel therapeutic target.