1
|
Schnur S, Wahl V, Metz JK, Gillmann J, Hans F, Rotermund K, Zäh RK, Brück DA, Schneider M, Hittinger M. Inflammatory bowel disease addressed by Caco-2 and monocyte-derived macrophages: an opportunity for an in vitro drug screening assay. IN VITRO MODELS 2022; 1:365-383. [PMID: 37520160 PMCID: PMC9630817 DOI: 10.1007/s44164-022-00035-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/20/2022] [Revised: 09/22/2022] [Accepted: 09/26/2022] [Indexed: 11/06/2022]
Abstract
Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) is a widespread disease, affecting a growing demographic. The treatment of chronic inflammation located in the GI-tract is dependent on the severity; therefore, the IBD treatment pyramid is commonly applied. Animal experimentation plays a key role for novel IBD drug development; nevertheless, it is ethically questionable and limited in its throughput. Reliable and valid in vitro assays offer the opportunity to overcome these limitations. We combined Caco-2 with monocyte-derived macrophages and exposed them to known drugs, targeting an in vitro-in vivo correlation (IVIVC) with a focus on the severity level and its related drug candidate. This co-culture assay addresses namely the intestinal barrier and the immune response in IBD. The drug efficacy was analyzed by an LPS-inflammation of the co-culture and drug exposure according to the IBD treatment pyramid. Efficacy was defined as the range between LPS control (0%) and untreated co-culture (100%) independent of the investigated read-out (TEER, Papp, cytokine release: IL-6, IL-8, IL-10, TNF-α). The release of IL-6, IL-8, and TNF-α was identified as an appropriate readout for a fast drug screening ("yes-no response"). TEER showed a remarkable IVIVC correlation to the human treatment pyramid (5-ASA, Prednisolone, 6-mercaptopurine, and infliximab) with an R2 of 0.68. Similar to the description of an adverse outcome pathway (AOP) framework, we advocate establishing an "Efficacy Outcome Pathways (EOPs)" framework for drug efficacy assays. The in vitro assay offers an easy and scalable method for IBD drug screening with a focus on human data, which requires further validation. Supplementary Information The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1007/s44164-022-00035-8.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Sabrina Schnur
- Department of Pharmacy, Biopharmaceutics and Pharmaceutical Technology, Saarland University, Saarbrücken, Germany
- PharmBioTec Research and Development GmbH, Saarbrücken, Germany
| | - Vanessa Wahl
- PharmBioTec Research and Development GmbH, Saarbrücken, Germany
| | - Julia K. Metz
- PharmBioTec Research and Development GmbH, Saarbrücken, Germany
| | | | - Fabian Hans
- Department of Pharmacy, Biopharmaceutics and Pharmaceutical Technology, Saarland University, Saarbrücken, Germany
- PharmBioTec Research and Development GmbH, Saarbrücken, Germany
| | | | - Ralf-Kilian Zäh
- Department of Automation, Microcontroller, Signals; School of Engineering, University of Applied Sciences, htw saar, Saarbrücken, Germany
| | - Dietmar A. Brück
- Department of Automation, Microcontroller, Signals; School of Engineering, University of Applied Sciences, htw saar, Saarbrücken, Germany
| | - Marc Schneider
- Department of Pharmacy, Biopharmaceutics and Pharmaceutical Technology, Saarland University, Saarbrücken, Germany
| | - Marius Hittinger
- Department of Pharmacy, Biopharmaceutics and Pharmaceutical Technology, Saarland University, Saarbrücken, Germany
- PharmBioTec Research and Development GmbH, Saarbrücken, Germany
- 3RProducts Marius Hittinger, Blieskastel, Germany
| |
Collapse
|
2
|
Piotrowska M, Spodzieja M, Kuncewicz K, Rodziewicz-Motowidło S, Orlikowska M. CD160 protein as a new therapeutic target in a battle against autoimmune, infectious and lifestyle diseases. Analysis of the structure, interactions and functions. Eur J Med Chem 2021; 224:113694. [PMID: 34273660 DOI: 10.1016/j.ejmech.2021.113694] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/18/2021] [Accepted: 07/07/2021] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
Abstract
The glycosylphosphatidylinositol-anchored transmembrane glycoprotein CD160 (cluster of differentiation 160) is a member of the immunoglobulin superfamily. Four isoforms, which differ by the presence or absence of an immunoglobulin-like domain and the mode of anchoring in the cell membrane, have been identified. CD160 has a significant impact on the proper functioning of the immune system by activating natural killer cells and inhibiting T cells. CD160 is a natural ligand for herpes virus entry mediator (HVEM), a member of the tumor necrosis factor superfamily. The CD160-HVEM complex is a rare example of direct interaction between the two different superfamilies. The interaction of these two proteins leads to the inhibition of CD4+ T cells which, in consequence, leads to the inhibition of the correct response of the immune system. Available research articles indicate that CD160 plays a role in various types of cancer, chronic viral diseases, malaria, paroxysmal nocturnal hemoglobinuria, atherosclerosis, autoimmune diseases, skin inflammation, acute liver damage and retinal vascular disease. We present here an overview of the CD160 protein, the general characteristics of the receptor and its isoforms, details of structural studies of CD160 and the CD160-HVEM complex, as well as a description of the role of this protein in selected human diseases.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Marta Piotrowska
- Department of Biomedical Chemistry, Faculty of Chemistry, University of Gdańsk, Wita Stwosza 63, 80-308, Gdańsk, Poland
| | - Marta Spodzieja
- Department of Biomedical Chemistry, Faculty of Chemistry, University of Gdańsk, Wita Stwosza 63, 80-308, Gdańsk, Poland
| | - Katarzyna Kuncewicz
- Department of Biomedical Chemistry, Faculty of Chemistry, University of Gdańsk, Wita Stwosza 63, 80-308, Gdańsk, Poland
| | - Sylwia Rodziewicz-Motowidło
- Department of Biomedical Chemistry, Faculty of Chemistry, University of Gdańsk, Wita Stwosza 63, 80-308, Gdańsk, Poland
| | - Marta Orlikowska
- Department of Biomedical Chemistry, Faculty of Chemistry, University of Gdańsk, Wita Stwosza 63, 80-308, Gdańsk, Poland.
| |
Collapse
|
3
|
Honkila M, Niinimäki R, Taskinen M, Kuismin O, Kettunen K, Saarela J, Turunen S, Renko M, Tapiainen T. A nearly fatal primary Epstein-Barr virus infection associated with low NK-cell counts in a patient receiving azathioprine: a case report and review of literature. BMC Infect Dis 2019; 19:404. [PMID: 31077135 PMCID: PMC6509764 DOI: 10.1186/s12879-019-4022-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/07/2019] [Accepted: 04/25/2019] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Symptomatic primary Epstein-Barr virus infection is a usually self-limiting illness in adolescents. We present a case of an adolescent who had been receiving azathioprine for inflammatory bowel disease for four years and developed a life-threatening primary Epstein-Barr virus infection successfully treated with rituximab. Case presentation An 11-year-old girl presented with chronic, bloody diarrhea. Endoscopic biopsies confirmed a diagnosis of chronic ulcerative colitis with features of Crohn’s disease. Azathioprine was initiated after one year due to active colitis. She responded well and remission was achieved. At the age of 16 years she developed a life-threatening Epstein-Barr virus infection including severe multiple organ failure and was critically ill for 4 weeks in the intensive care unit. Natural killer cells were virtually absent in the lymphocyte subset analysis. Azathioprine was stopped on admission. She was initially treated with corticosteroids, acyclovir and intravenous immunoglobulin. Approximately 30 days after admission, she developed signs of severe hepatitis and pneumonitis and received weekly rituximab infusions for 8 weeks. Primary immunodeficiency was excluded by whole exome sequencing in two independent laboratories. Persistent viremia stopped when the natural killer cell count started to rise, approximately 90 days after the cessation of azathioprine. Conclusions We found 17 comparable cases in the literature. None of the previous cases reported in the literature, who had been treated with azathioprine and developed either a severe or a fatal Epstein-Barr virus infection, underwent full genetic and prospective immunological workup to rule out known primary immunodeficiencies. Recently, azathioprine has been shown to cause rather specific immunosuppression, resulting in natural killer cell depletion. Our case demonstrates that slow recovery from azathioprine-induced natural killer cell depletion, 3 months after the stopping of azathioprine, coincided with the clearance of viremia and clinical recovery. Finally, our choice of treating the patient with rituximab, as previously used for patients with a severe immunosuppression and Epstein-Barr virus viremia, appeared to be successful in this case. We suggest testing for Epstein-Barr virus serology before starting azathioprine and measuring natural killer cell counts during the treatment to identify patients at risk of developing an unusually severe primary Epstein-Barr virus infection.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Minna Honkila
- Department of Children and Adolescents, Oulu University Hospital, P.O. Box 23, FIN-90029 OYS, Oulu, Finland. .,PEDEGO Research Unit and Medical Research Center Oulu, University of Oulu, Oulu, Finland.
| | - Riitta Niinimäki
- Department of Children and Adolescents, Oulu University Hospital, P.O. Box 23, FIN-90029 OYS, Oulu, Finland.,PEDEGO Research Unit and Medical Research Center Oulu, University of Oulu, Oulu, Finland
| | - Mervi Taskinen
- Division of Pediatric Hematology, Oncology and Stem Cell Transplantation, Helsinki University Hospital, Helsinki, Finland
| | - Outi Kuismin
- PEDEGO Research Unit and Medical Research Center Oulu, University of Oulu, Oulu, Finland.,Department of Clinical Genetics, Oulu University Hospital, Oulu, Finland
| | - Kaisa Kettunen
- Institute for Molecular Medicine Finland, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland
| | - Janna Saarela
- Institute for Molecular Medicine Finland, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland
| | - Sami Turunen
- Department of Children and Adolescents, Oulu University Hospital, P.O. Box 23, FIN-90029 OYS, Oulu, Finland
| | - Marjo Renko
- Department of Children and Adolescents, Oulu University Hospital, P.O. Box 23, FIN-90029 OYS, Oulu, Finland.,PEDEGO Research Unit and Medical Research Center Oulu, University of Oulu, Oulu, Finland
| | - Terhi Tapiainen
- Department of Children and Adolescents, Oulu University Hospital, P.O. Box 23, FIN-90029 OYS, Oulu, Finland.,PEDEGO Research Unit and Medical Research Center Oulu, University of Oulu, Oulu, Finland
| |
Collapse
|
4
|
He W, Wang B, Li Q, Yao Q, Jia X, Song R, Li S, Zhang JA. Aberrant Expressions of Co-stimulatory and Co-inhibitory Molecules in Autoimmune Diseases. Front Immunol 2019; 10:261. [PMID: 30842773 PMCID: PMC6391512 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2019.00261] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/01/2018] [Accepted: 01/29/2019] [Indexed: 12/26/2022] Open
Abstract
Co-signaling molecules include co-stimulatory and co-inhibitory molecules and play important roles in modulating immune responses. The roles of co-signaling molecules in autoimmune diseases have not been clearly defined. We assessed the expressions of co-stimulatory and co-inhibitory molecules in autoimmune diseases through a bioinformatics-based study. By using datasets of whole-genome transcriptome, the expressions of 54 co-stimulatory or co-inhibitory genes in common autoimmune diseases were analyzed using Robust rank aggregation (RRA) method. Nineteen array datasets and 6 RNA-seq datasets were included in the RRA discovery study and RRA validation study, respectively. Significant genes were further validated in several autoimmune diseases including Graves' disease (GD). RRA discovery study suggested that CD160 was the most significant gene aberrantly expressed in autoimmune diseases (Adjusted P = 5.9E-12), followed by CD58 (Adjusted P = 5.7E-06) and CD244 (Adjusted P = 9.5E-05). RRA validation study also identified CD160 as the most significant gene aberrantly expressed in autoimmune diseases (Adjusted P = 5.9E-09). We further found that the aberrant expression of CD160 was statistically significant in multiple autoimmune diseases including GD (P < 0.05), and CD160 had a moderate role in diagnosing those autoimmune diseases. Flow cytometry confirmed that CD160 was differentially expressed on the surface of CD8+ T cells between GD patients and healthy controls (P = 0.002), which proved the aberrant expression of CD160 in GD at the protein level. This study suggests that CD160 is the most significant co-signaling gene aberrantly expressed in autoimmune diseases. Treatment strategy targeting CD160-related pathway may be promising for the therapy of autoimmune diseases.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Weiwei He
- Department of Endocrinology, Affiliated Hospital of Yanan Medical University, Yanan, China
| | - Bin Wang
- Department of Endocrinology, Jinshan Hospital of Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Qian Li
- Department of Endocrinology, Jinshan Hospital of Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Qiuming Yao
- Department of Endocrinology, Jinshan Hospital of Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Xi Jia
- Department of Endocrinology, Jinshan Hospital of Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Ronghua Song
- Department of Endocrinology and Rheumatology, Shanghai University of Medicine and Health Sciences Affiliated Zhoupu Hospital, Shanghai, China
| | - Sheli Li
- Department of Endocrinology, Affiliated Hospital of Yanan Medical University, Yanan, China
| | - Jin-An Zhang
- Department of Endocrinology and Rheumatology, Shanghai University of Medicine and Health Sciences Affiliated Zhoupu Hospital, Shanghai, China
| |
Collapse
|
5
|
Lord JD, Shows DM. Thiopurine use associated with reduced B and natural killer cells in inflammatory bowel disease. World J Gastroenterol 2017; 23:3240-3251. [PMID: 28566883 PMCID: PMC5434429 DOI: 10.3748/wjg.v23.i18.3240] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/15/2016] [Revised: 01/27/2017] [Accepted: 03/15/2017] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
AIM To identify which blood and mucosal lymphocyte populations are specifically depleted by thiopurine use in vivo.
METHODS The thiopurines azathioprine and 6-mercaptopurine have been a mainstay of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) therapy for decades, but their mechanism of action in vivo remains obscure. Although thiopurines are lymphotoxic at high doses, and have been reported to cause T cell apoptosis in vitro, their ability to control IBD at lower doses suggests that they may selectively deplete particular lymphocyte populations. Blood cells from 19 IBD patients on a thiopurine, 19 IBD patients not on a thiopurine, and 38 matched healthy control subjects were analyzed by multiple multi-color flow cytometry panels to quantify the immune cell subsets contained therein, both as a percent of cells, and as an absolute cell count. Similar analyses were performed on colon biopsies from 17 IBD patients on a thiopurine, 17 IBD patients not on a thiopurine, and 49 healthy screening colonoscopy recipients.
RESULTS Complete blood counts revealed lower lymphocyte, but not monocyte or granulocyte, counts in IBD patients who were taking thiopurines at the time of sampling. This reduction was restricted to CD3-negative lymphocytes, wherein both natural killer (NK) and B cells were significantly reduced among thiopurine recipients. Among CD19+ B cells, the transitional B cells were particularly depleted, being nearly absent in both blood and colon biopsies of thiopurine recipients. No differences were associated with thiopurine use in CD8+ T cells, mucosa-associated invariant T (MAIT) cells, invariant natural killer T (iNKT) cells, gamma/delta T cells, Th1, Th17, regulatory T cells (Tregs) or naïve CD4+ T cells. However, patients with IBD had significantly more circulating FOXP3+, Helios+ Tregs and fewer iNKT and MAIT cells than healthy controls.
CONCLUSION Thiopurine use is associated with reduced B and NK cell, but not T cell, subpopulations in the blood of IBD patients.
Collapse
|
6
|
Sha C, Barrans S, Care MA, Cunningham D, Tooze RM, Jack A, Westhead DR. Transferring genomics to the clinic: distinguishing Burkitt and diffuse large B cell lymphomas. Genome Med 2015; 7:64. [PMID: 26207141 PMCID: PMC4512160 DOI: 10.1186/s13073-015-0187-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/23/2015] [Accepted: 06/15/2015] [Indexed: 12/31/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Classifiers based on molecular criteria such as gene expression signatures have been developed to distinguish Burkitt lymphoma and diffuse large B cell lymphoma, which help to explore the intermediate cases where traditional diagnosis is difficult. Transfer of these research classifiers into a clinical setting is challenging because there are competing classifiers in the literature based on different methodology and gene sets with no clear best choice; classifiers based on one expression measurement platform may not transfer effectively to another; and, classifiers developed using fresh frozen samples may not work effectively with the commonly used and more convenient formalin fixed paraffin-embedded samples used in routine diagnosis. METHODS Here we thoroughly compared two published high profile classifiers developed on data from different Affymetrix array platforms and fresh-frozen tissue, examining their transferability and concordance. Based on this analysis, a new Burkitt and diffuse large B cell lymphoma classifier (BDC) was developed and employed on Illumina DASL data from our own paraffin-embedded samples, allowing comparison with the diagnosis made in a central haematopathology laboratory and evaluation of clinical relevance. RESULTS We show that both previous classifiers can be recapitulated using very much smaller gene sets than originally employed, and that the classification result is closely dependent on the Burkitt lymphoma criteria applied in the training set. The BDC classification on our data exhibits high agreement (~95 %) with the original diagnosis. A simple outcome comparison in the patients presenting intermediate features on conventional criteria suggests that the cases classified as Burkitt lymphoma by BDC have worse response to standard diffuse large B cell lymphoma treatment than those classified as diffuse large B cell lymphoma. CONCLUSIONS In this study, we comprehensively investigate two previous Burkitt lymphoma molecular classifiers, and implement a new gene expression classifier, BDC, that works effectively on paraffin-embedded samples and provides useful information for treatment decisions. The classifier is available as a free software package under the GNU public licence within the R statistical software environment through the link http://www.bioinformatics.leeds.ac.uk/labpages/softwares/ or on github https://github.com/Sharlene/BDC.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Chulin Sha
- />School of Molecular and Cellular Biology, Garstang Building, University of Leeds, Leeds, LS2 9JT UK
| | - Sharon Barrans
- />Haematological, Malignancy Diagnostic Service, St James’s University Hospital, Leeds, UK
| | - Matthew A. Care
- />Section of Experimental Haematology, Leeds Institute of Cancer and Pathology, University of Leeds, Leeds, UK
| | | | - Reuben M. Tooze
- />Haematological, Malignancy Diagnostic Service, St James’s University Hospital, Leeds, UK
- />Section of Experimental Haematology, Leeds Institute of Cancer and Pathology, University of Leeds, Leeds, UK
| | - Andrew Jack
- />Haematological, Malignancy Diagnostic Service, St James’s University Hospital, Leeds, UK
| | - David R. Westhead
- />School of Molecular and Cellular Biology, Garstang Building, University of Leeds, Leeds, LS2 9JT UK
| |
Collapse
|
7
|
van der Pouw Kraan TCTM, Chen WJ, Bunck MCM, van Raalte DH, van der Zijl NJ, van Genugten RE, van Bloemendaal L, Baggen JM, Serné EH, Diamant M, Horrevoets AJG. Metabolic changes in type 2 diabetes are reflected in peripheral blood cells, revealing aberrant cytotoxicity, a viral signature, and hypoxia inducible factor activity. BMC Med Genomics 2015; 8:20. [PMID: 25956355 PMCID: PMC4446948 DOI: 10.1186/s12920-015-0096-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/25/2014] [Accepted: 04/30/2015] [Indexed: 01/10/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Metabolic syndrome (MetS) is characterized by central obesity, insulin resistance, dysglycemia, and a pro-atherogenic plasma lipid profile. MetS creates a high risk for development of type 2 diabetes (T2DM) and cardiovascular disease (CVD), presumably by altering inflammatory responses. Presently, it is unknown how the chronic metabolic disturbances in acute hyperglycemia, MetS and T2DM affect the immune activity of peripheral blood cells. METHODS We performed genome-wide expression analysis of peripheral blood cells obtained from patients with T2DM (n = 6) and age-, sex- , BMI- and blood pressure-matched obese individuals with MetS (n = 4) and lean healthy normoglycemic controls (n = 3), both under fasting conditions and after controlled induction of acute hyperglycemia during a 70 min hyperglycemic clamp. Differential gene expression during fasting conditions was confirmed by real-time PCR, for which we included additional age-, sex-, BMI-, and blood pressure-matched obese individuals with (n = 4) or without (n = 4) MetS. RESULTS Pathway and Gene ontology analysis applied to baseline expression profiles of peripheral blood cells from MetS and T2DM patients revealed metabolic changes, highly similar to a reoviral infection gene signature in T2DM patients. Transcription factor binding site analysis indicated that increased HIF-1α activity, a transcription factor induced by either hypoxia or oxidative stress, is responsible for this aberrant metabolic profile in peripheral blood cells from T2DM patients. Acute hyperglycemia in healthy controls resulted in reduced expression of cytotoxicity-related genes, representing NK- and CD8(+) cells. In obese controls, MetS and especially T2DM patients, baseline expression of genes involved in cytotoxicity was already low, compared to healthy controls and did not further decrease upon acute hyperglycemia. CONCLUSIONS The reduced activity of cytotoxic genes in T2DM is explained by chronic hyperglycemia, but its acute effects are restricted to healthy controls. Genome expression of circulating leukocytes from T2DM patients differs from MetS individuals by a specific reovirus signature. Our data thus suggest a role for suppressed anti-viral capacity in the etiology of diabetes.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
| | - Weena J Chen
- Department of Internal Medicine, Diabetes Center, VU University Medical Center, Amsterdam, The Netherlands.
| | - Mathijs C M Bunck
- Department of Internal Medicine, Diabetes Center, VU University Medical Center, Amsterdam, The Netherlands.
| | - Daniel H van Raalte
- Department of Internal Medicine, Diabetes Center, VU University Medical Center, Amsterdam, The Netherlands.
| | - Nynke J van der Zijl
- Department of Internal Medicine, Diabetes Center, VU University Medical Center, Amsterdam, The Netherlands.
| | - Renate E van Genugten
- Department of Internal Medicine, Diabetes Center, VU University Medical Center, Amsterdam, The Netherlands.
| | - Liselotte van Bloemendaal
- Department of Internal Medicine, Diabetes Center, VU University Medical Center, Amsterdam, The Netherlands.
| | - Josefien M Baggen
- Department of Molecular Cell Biology & Immunology, VU University Medical Center, Amsterdam, The Netherlands.
| | - Erik H Serné
- Department of Internal Medicine, Diabetes Center, VU University Medical Center, Amsterdam, The Netherlands.
| | - Michaela Diamant
- Department of Internal Medicine, Diabetes Center, VU University Medical Center, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Anton J G Horrevoets
- Department of Molecular Cell Biology & Immunology, VU University Medical Center, Amsterdam, The Netherlands.
| |
Collapse
|
8
|
6-Mercaptopurine reduces macrophage activation and gut epithelium proliferation through inhibition of GTPase Rac1. Inflamm Bowel Dis 2014; 20:1487-95. [PMID: 25029617 DOI: 10.1097/mib.0000000000000122] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Inflammatory bowel disease is characterized by chronic intestinal inflammation. Azathioprine and its metabolite 6-mercaptopurine (6-MP) are effective immunosuppressive drugs that are widely used in patients with inflammatory bowel disease. However, established understanding of their immunosuppressive mechanism is limited. Azathioprine and 6-MP have been shown to affect small GTPase Rac1 in T cells and endothelial cells, whereas the effect on macrophages and gut epithelial cells is unknown. METHODS Macrophages (RAW cells) and gut epithelial cells (Caco-2 cells) were activated by cytokines and the effect on Rac1 signaling was assessed in the presence or absence of 6-MP. RESULTS Rac1 is activated in macrophages and epithelial cells, and treatment with 6-MP resulted in Rac1 inhibition. In macrophages, interferon-γ induced downstream signaling through c-Jun-N-terminal Kinase (JNK) resulting in inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) expression. iNOS expression was reduced by 6-MP in a Rac1-dependent manner. In epithelial cells, 6-MP efficiently inhibited tumor necrosis factor-α-induced expression of the chemokines CCL2 and interleukin-8, although only interleukin-8 expression was inhibited in a Rac1-dependent manner. In addition, activation of the transcription factor STAT3 was suppressed in a Rac1-dependent fashion by 6-MP, resulting in reduced proliferation of the epithelial cells due to diminished cyclin D1 expression. CONCLUSIONS These data demonstrate that 6-MP affects macrophages and gut epithelial cells beneficially, in addition to T cells and endothelial cells. Furthermore, mechanistic insight is provided to support development of Rac1-specific inhibitors for clinical use in inflammatory bowel disease.
Collapse
|