Differential immunohistochemical expression of syndecan-1 and tumor necrosis factor alpha in colonic mucosa of patients with Crohn's disease

Value of faith: Religious entrepreneurs and corporate longevity

Using the data on the religious belief of entrepreneurs in Chinese family firms, this study shows that religious entrepreneurs significantly positively affect corporate longevity, echoing the view that religious entrepreneurs can obtain managerial skills and share managerial knowledge about corporate operation through the conduit of religious attendance, and thus firms with religious entrepreneurs are more long-lived. Moreover, the development of factor markets across different provinces in China reinforces this positive relation between religious entrepreneurs and corporate longevity. Furthermore, qualitatively similar results can be found from various robustness tests, and our conclusions still stand after controlling for the potential selection bias in the research sample. Lastly, after differentiating different religious beliefs, the positive relation between religious entrepreneurs and corporate longevity is only valid for Western religious beliefs (but not for Eastern religious beliefs), and the reinforced role of the development of factor markets only stands for Eastern religious beliefs.

Emerging role of syndecans in maintaining homeostasis of colon epithelium during inflammation

The syndecans are a family of transmembrane proteoglycans that are widespread in mammalian tissues. Located at the cell surface membrane, they contribute to modulating the composition of the extracellular matrix via glycosaminoglycan chains (GAGs) attached to their extracellular domains. Syndecans can interact with a variety of extracellular ligands through their core proteins and GAGs, and may also transmit signals through their transmembrane domain to regulate intracellular functions. These properties enable syndecan to modulate glycocalyx formation, epithelial cell-to-cell connections for cell barrier formation, and epithelial cell-lamina propria interactions in the colon epithelium, all of which are crucial for the homeostasis of this tissue. Inflammation induces structural alterations of the colon epithelium, and accumulating evidence suggests that syndecan expression might play important regulatory functions during inflammation. This review summarizes the possible roles of syndecans in maintaining tissue homeostasis in the colon epithelium, especially under inflammation.

Serum Syndecan-1 Levels and Its Relationship to Disease Activity in Patients with Crohn's Disease

Background. Syndecan-1 (SDC-1), a member of the family of heparan sulfate proteoglycans, plays an important role in the resolution of inflammation. This study aimed to investigate the relationship between SDC-1 and disease activity in Crohn's disease (CD). Methods. Serum samples of 54 patients with CD and 30 healthy controls were obtained. First, SDC-1 levels of the CD patients were compared to the control group. Subsequently, SDC-1 levels were analyzed in patients with CD in active and remission periods. Finally, SDC-1 efficacy in predicting disease activity was evaluated by performing correlation analysis between SDC-1 and C-reactive protein (CRP) and Crohn's disease activity index (CDAI). Results. SDC-1 level was higher in the CD group (61.9 ± 42.6 ng/mL) compared with the control group (34.1 ± 8.0 ng/mL) (p = 0.03). SDC-1 levels were higher in active CD patients (97.1 ± 40.3 ng/mL) compared with those in remission (33.7 ± 13.5 ng/mL) (p < 0.001). A significant positive correlation was found between SDC-1 and CRP (r = 0.687, p < 0.001) and between SDC-1 and CDAI (r = 0.747, p < 0.001). Conclusion. Serum levels of SDC-1 are higher in CD compared to the normal population and can be an effective marker of disease severity.

Low molecular weight heparin relieves experimental colitis in mice by downregulating IL-1β and inhibiting syndecan-1 shedding in the intestinal mucosa

Low molecular weight heparin (LMWH) exhibits anti-inflammatory properties, but its effect on inflammation in colitis remains unclear. This study aimed to evaluate the therapeutic effects of LMWH on dextran sulfate sodium (DSS)-induced colitis in mice, in which acute colitis progresses to chronic colitis, and to explore the potential mechanism involved in this process. C57BL/6 mice were randomly divided into control, DSS, and DSS plus LMWH groups (n = 18). Disease activity was scored by a disease activity index (DAI). Histological changes were evaluated by hematoxylin and eosin (HE) staining. The mRNA levels of syndecan-1, interleukin (IL)-1β, and IL-10 were determined by quantitative reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction. Protein expression of syndecan-1 was detected by immunohistochemistry. The serum syndecan-1 level was examined by a dot immunobinding assay. LMWH ameliorated the disease activity of colitis induced by DSS administration in mice. Colon destruction with the appearance of crypt damage, goblet cell loss, and a larger ulcer was found on day 12 after DSS administration, which was greatly relieved by the treatment of LMWH. LMWH upregulated syndecan-1 expression in the intestinal mucosa and reduced the serum syndecan-1 level on days 12 and 20 after DSS administration (P<0.05 vs. DSS group). In addition, LMWH significantly decreased the expression of both IL-1β and IL-10 mRNA on days 12 and 20 (P<0.05 vs. DSS group). LMWH has therapeutic effects on colitis by downregulating inflammatory cytokines and inhibiting syndecan-1 shedding in the intestinal mucosa.

Beneficial effect of glatiramer acetate treatment on syndecan-1 expression in dextran sodium sulfate colitis

Syndecan-1, the most abundant heparan sulfate proteoglycan in the gastrointestinal tract, is reduced in the regenerative epithelium in inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). This study explored the effects of the immunomodulator glatiramer acetate (GA; Copaxone) treatment on syndecan-1 expression in dextran sodium sulfate (DSS)-induced colitis. Acute and chronic colitis was induced in C57BL/6 mice by 2 and 1.5% DSS in tap water, respectively. GA was applied subcutaneously, 2 mg per mouse per day, starting on the day of DSS induction until the mice were sacrificed. Syndecan-1 expression was assessed by immunohistochemistry. The effect of adoptive transfer of GA-specific T cells as an organ-specific therapy also was evaluated. Syndecan-1 expression was significantly lower in both colitis groups compared with that in naive mice (p < 0.0001). GA attenuated clinical scores and pathological manifestations of colitis and led to the reinstatement of normal levels of syndecan-1. After adoptive transfer, GA-specific cells homed to the surface epithelium of the distal colon, accompanied by the augmentation of syndecan-1 staining in their vicinity. We concluded that syndecan-1 expression is reduced in DSS-induced colitis and could be a potential prognostic factor in IBD. Treatment with GA exerts not only an anti-inflammatory effect but also a possible beneficial effect in stabilizing the intestinal epithelium barrier and tissue repair in DSS colitis. GA may be applied as a novel drug for IBD, shifting treatment from immunosuppression toward immunomodulation.

Significance of CEACAM6, Syndecan-1, PDGFA and HLA-DRB5 expression in patients with ulcerative colitis

AIM: To analyze the significance of the expression of carcinoembryonic antigen-related cell adhesion molecule 6 (CEACAM6), Syndecan-1, platelet-derived growth factor alpha (PDGFA) and HLA-DRB5 genes in the development and progression of ulcerative colitis.

METHODS: The mRNA expression of CEACAM6, Syndecan-1, PDGFA and HLA-DRB5 was detected by semiquantitative RT-PCR in peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) and colon specimens from 21 patients with ulcerative colitis.

RESULTS: The mRNA expression levels of CEACAM6, Syndecan-1 and PDGFA in patients with ulcerative colitis were significantly higher than those in normal controls (0.77 ± 0.23 vs 0.58 ± 0.14, 1.16 ± 0.39 vs 0.85 ± 0.16, 0.90 ± 0.18 vs 0.78 ± 0.13, all P < 0.01). The expression of HLA-DRB5 mRNA was also up-regulated in patients with ulcerative colitis compared with normal controls (0.58 ± 0.19 vs 0.42 ± 0.19, P < 0.01).

CONCLUSION: CEACAM6, Syndecan-1, PDGFA and HLA-DRB5 are highly expressed in ulcerative colitis and may therefore play an important role in the pathogenesis of ulcerative colitis.

Enoxaparin improves the course of dextran sodium sulfate-induced colitis in syndecan-1-deficient mice

Syndecan-1 (Sdc1) plays a major role in wound healing and modulates inflammatory responses. Sdc1 expression is reduced in lesions of patients with ulcerative colitis. The aim of this study was to investigate the role of Sdc1 in murine dextran sodium sulfate (DSS)-induced colitis. DSS colitis was induced in Sdc1-deficient (knockout (KO)) and wild-type mice by oral administration of 3% DSS. KO mice exhibited a significantly increased lethality as compared with wild-type controls (61 versus 5%, P < 0.05). Impaired mucosal healing and prolonged recruitment of inflammatory cells in KO mice were accompanied by significant up-regulation of tumor necrosis factor-alpha, CC chemokine ligand 3/macrophage inflammatory protein-1alpha, and vascular cell adhesion molecule-1, as determined by histological correlation between 0 and 15 days after colitis induction, TaqMan low-density array analysis, and quantitative real-time PCR. Treatment from days 7 through 14 with enoxaparin, a functional analogue of the Sdc1 heparan sulfate chains, significantly reduced lethality of KO mice due to DSS-induced colitis, which was correlated with improved mucosal healing. In vitro, Sdc1-deficient polymorphonuclear cells displayed increased adhesion to endothelial cells and intercellular adhesion molecule-1, and enoxaparin reverted adhesion to wild-type levels. Small interfering RNA-mediated knockdown of Sdc1 expression resulted in reduced basic fibroblast growth factor-mediated mitogen-activated protein kinase signaling and reduced Caco-2 cell proliferation. We conclude that Sdc1 has a protective effect during experimental colitis. The modification of missing Sdc1 function by heparin analogues may emerge as a promising anti-inflammatory approach.

Syndecan-1 shedding facilitates the resolution of neutrophilic inflammation by removing sequestered CXC chemokines

Heparan sulfate binds to and regulates many inflammatory mediators in vitro, suggesting that it serves an important role in directing the progression and outcome of inflammatory responses in vivo. Here, we evaluated the role of syndecan-1, a major heparan sulfate proteoglycan, in modulating multiorgan host injury responses in murine endotoxemia. The extent of systemic inflammation was similar between endotoxemic syndecan-1-null and wild-type mice. However, high levels of CXC chemokines (KC and MIP-2), particularly at later times after LPS, were specifically sustained in multiple organs in syndecan-1-null mice and associated with exaggerated neutrophilic inflammation, organ damage, and lethality. Syndecan-1 shedding was activated in several organs of endotoxemic wild-type mice, and this associated closely with the removal of tissue-bound CXC chemokines and resolution of accumulated neutrophils. Moreover, administration of a shedding inhibitor exacerbated disease by impeding the removal of CXC chemokines and neutrophils, whereas administration of heparan sulfate inhibited the accumulation of CXC chemokines and neutrophils in tissues and attenuated multiorgan injury and lethality. These data show that syndecan-1 shedding is a critical endogenous mechanism that facilitates the resolution of neutrophilic inflammation by aiding the clearance of proinflammatory chemokines in a heparan sulfate-dependent manner.