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Steiner CA, Cartwright IM, Taylor CT, Colgan SP. Hypoxia-inducible factor as a bridge between healthy barrier function, wound healing, and fibrosis. Am J Physiol Cell Physiol 2022; 323:C866-C878. [PMID: 35912990 PMCID: PMC9467472 DOI: 10.1152/ajpcell.00227.2022] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/31/2022] [Revised: 07/07/2022] [Accepted: 07/23/2022] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
Abstract
The healthy mammalian intestine is lined by a single layer of epithelial cells. These cells provide a selectively permeable barrier to luminal contents and normally do so in an efficient and effective manner. Barrier function in the healthy mucosa is provided via several mechanisms including epithelial junctional complexes, mucus production, as well as mucosal-derived antimicrobial proteins. As tissue metabolism is central to the maintenance of homeostasis in the mucosa, intestinal [Formula: see text] levels are uniquely low due to counter-current blood flow and the presence of the microbiota, resulting in the stabilization of the transcription factor hypoxia-inducible factor (HIF). Ongoing studies have revealed that HIF molds normal intestinal metabolism and is central to the coordination of barrier regulation during both homeostasis and active disease. During acute inflammation, HIF is central to controlling the rapid restitution of the epithelium consistent with normal wound healing responses. In contrast, HIF may also contribute to the fibrostenotic response associated with chronic, nonresolving inflammation. As such, HIF may function as a double-edged sword in the overall course of the inflammatory response. Here, we review recent literature on the contribution of HIF to mucosal barrier function, wound healing, and fibrosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Calen A Steiner
- Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, Colorado
- Department of Medicine and the Mucosal Inflammation Program, University of Colorado School of Medicine, Aurora, Colorado
| | - Ian M Cartwright
- Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, Colorado
- Department of Medicine and the Mucosal Inflammation Program, University of Colorado School of Medicine, Aurora, Colorado
- Rocky Mountain Regional Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Aurora, Colorado
| | - Cormac T Taylor
- School of Medicine, Conway Institute and Systems Biology Ireland, University College Dublin, Dublin, Ireland
| | - Sean P Colgan
- Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, Colorado
- Department of Medicine and the Mucosal Inflammation Program, University of Colorado School of Medicine, Aurora, Colorado
- Rocky Mountain Regional Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Aurora, Colorado
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2
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Watanabe D, Kamada N. Contribution of the Gut Microbiota to Intestinal Fibrosis in Crohn's Disease. Front Med (Lausanne) 2022; 9:826240. [PMID: 35198577 PMCID: PMC8859331 DOI: 10.3389/fmed.2022.826240] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/30/2021] [Accepted: 01/13/2022] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
In Crohn's disease (CD), intestinal fibrosis is a critical determinant of a patient's prognosis. Although inflammation may be a prerequisite for the initiation of intestinal fibrosis, research shows that the progression or continuation of intestinal fibrosis can occur independently of inflammation. Thus, once initiated, intestinal fibrosis may persist even if medical treatment controls inflammation. Clearly, an understanding of the pathophysiological mechanisms of intestinal fibrosis is required to diminish its occurrence. Accumulating evidence suggests that the gut microbiota contributes to the pathogenesis of intestinal fibrosis. For example, the presence of antibodies against gut microbes can predict which CD patients will have intestinal complications. In addition, microbial ligands can activate intestinal fibroblasts, thereby inducing the production of extracellular matrix. Moreover, in various animal models, bacterial infection can lead to the development of intestinal fibrosis. In this review, we summarize the current knowledge of the link between intestinal fibrosis in CD and the gut microbiota. We highlight basic science and clinical evidence that the gut microbiota can be causative for intestinal fibrosis in CD and provide valuable information about the animal models used to investigate intestinal fibrosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daisuke Watanabe
- Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Department of Internal Medicine, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, United States
| | - Nobuhiko Kamada
- Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Department of Internal Medicine, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, United States
- WPI Immunology Frontier Research Center, Osaka University, Suita, Japan
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Johnson LA, Rodansky ES, Tran A, Collins SG, Eaton KA, Malamet B, Steiner CA, Huang S, Spence JR, Higgins PDR. Effect of ABT-263 on Intestinal Fibrosis in Human Myofibroblasts, Human Intestinal Organoids, and the Mouse Salmonella typhimurium Model. Inflamm Bowel Dis 2021; 28:161-175. [PMID: 34302470 PMCID: PMC9017142 DOI: 10.1093/ibd/izab166] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/25/2021] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Intestinal fibrosis and subsequent intestinal obstruction are common complications of Crohn's disease (CD). Current therapeutics combat inflammation, but no pharmacological therapy exists for fibrostenotic disease. Pathological persistence of activated intestinal myofibroblasts is a key driver of fibrosis in CD. In other organ systems, BH-3 mimetic drugs that affect Bcl-2 apoptotic pathways induce apoptosis in activated myofibroblasts and reduce fibrogenic gene expression, thereby reducing fibrosis. METHODS We evaluated the proapoptotic and antifibrotic efficacy of several classes of BH-3 mimetics in 2 in vitro fibrogenesis models. The candidate molecule, ABT-263, was advanced to a 3-dimensional human intestinal organoid (HIO) model. Finally, the therapeutic efficacy of ABT-263 was evaluated in the mouse Salmonella typhimurium intestinal fibrosis model. RESULTS The BH-3 mimetics induced apoptosis, repressed fibrotic protein expression, and reduced fibrogenic gene expression in normal human intestinal myofibroblasts. The BH-3 mimetics that target Bcl-2 and Bcl-xl demonstrated the greatest efficacy in vitro. The ABT-199 and ABT-263 induced apoptosis and ameliorated fibrogenesis in the in vitro myofibroblast models. In the HIO model, ABT-263 inhibited fibrogenesis and induced apoptosis. In the mouse S. typhimurium model, dose-dependent reduction in macroscopic pathology, histological inflammation, inflammatory and fibrotic gene expression, and extracellular matrix protein expression indicated ABT-263 may reduce intestinal fibrosis. CONCLUSIONS In vitro, the antifibrotic efficacy of BH-3 mimetics identifies the Bcl-2 pathway as a druggable target and BH-3 mimetics as putative therapeutics. Reduction of inflammation and fibrosis in the mouse intestinal fibrosis model by ABT-263 indicates BH-3 mimetics as potential, novel antifibrotic therapeutics for Crohn's disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Laura A Johnson
- Division of Gastroenterology, Department of Internal Medicine,
University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI,
USA
| | - Eva S Rodansky
- Division of Gastroenterology, Department of Internal Medicine,
University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI,
USA
| | - Anhdao Tran
- Division of Gastroenterology, Department of Internal Medicine,
University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI,
USA
| | - Stephen G Collins
- Division of Gastroenterology, Department of Internal Medicine,
University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI,
USA
| | - Kathryn A Eaton
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of
Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, USA
| | - Benjamin Malamet
- Division of Gastroenterology, Department of Internal Medicine,
University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI,
USA
| | - Calen A Steiner
- Division of Gastroenterology, Department of Internal Medicine,
University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI,
USA
| | - Sha Huang
- Department of Cell and Developmental Biology, University of
Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, USA
| | - Jason R Spence
- Department of Cell and Developmental Biology, University of
Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, USA
| | - Peter D R Higgins
- Division of Gastroenterology, Department of Internal Medicine,
University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI,
USA,Address correspondence to: Peter Higgins, MD, PhD, MS, Department
of Internal Medicine, University of Michigan, SPC 5682, 1150 West Medical Center
Drive, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, USA ()
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Steiner CA, Rodansky ES, Johnson LA, Berinstein JA, Cushing KC, Huang S, Spence JR, Higgins PDR. AXL Is a Potential Target for the Treatment of Intestinal Fibrosis. Inflamm Bowel Dis 2021; 27:303-316. [PMID: 32676663 PMCID: PMC7885333 DOI: 10.1093/ibd/izaa169] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/11/2020] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Fibrosis is the final common pathway to intestinal failure in Crohn's disease, but no medical therapies exist to treat intestinal fibrosis. Activated myofibroblasts are key effector cells of fibrosis in multiple organ systems, including the intestine. AXL is a receptor tyrosine kinase that has been implicated in fibrogenic pathways involving myofibroblast activation. We aimed to investigate the AXL pathway as a potential target for the treatment of intestinal fibrosis. METHODS To establish proof of concept, we first analyzed AXL gene expression in 2 in vivo models of intestinal fibrosis and 3 in vitro models of intestinal fibrosis. We then tested whether pharmacological inhibition of AXL signaling could reduce fibrogenesis in 3 in vitro models of intestinal fibrosis. In vitro testing included 2 distinct cell culture models of intestinal fibrosis (matrix stiffness and TGF-β1 treatment) and a human intestinal organoid model using TGF-β1 cytokine stimulation. RESULTS Our findings suggest that the AXL pathway is induced in models of intestinal fibrosis. We demonstrate that inhibition of AXL signaling with the small molecule inhibitor BGB324 abrogates both matrix-stiffness and transforming growth factor beta (TGF-β1)-induced fibrogenesis in human colonic myofibroblasts. AXL inhibition with BGB324 sensitizes myofibroblasts to apoptosis. Finally, AXL inhibition with BGB324 blocks TGF-β1-induced fibrogenic gene and protein expression in human intestinal organoids. CONCLUSIONS The AXL pathway is active in multiple models of intestinal fibrosis. In vitro experiments suggest that inhibiting AXL signaling could represent a novel approach to antifibrotic therapy for intestinal fibrosis such as in Crohn's disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Calen A Steiner
- Division of Gastroenterology, Department of Internal Medicine, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan, USA
| | - Eva S Rodansky
- Division of Gastroenterology, Department of Internal Medicine, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan, USA
| | - Laura A Johnson
- Division of Gastroenterology, Department of Internal Medicine, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan, USA
| | - Jeffrey A Berinstein
- Division of Gastroenterology, Department of Internal Medicine, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan, USA
| | - Kelly C Cushing
- Division of Gastroenterology, Department of Internal Medicine, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan, USA
| | - Sha Huang
- Division of Gastroenterology, Department of Internal Medicine, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan, USA
| | - Jason R Spence
- Division of Gastroenterology, Department of Internal Medicine, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan, USA
- Department of Cell and Developmental Biology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan, USA
| | - Peter D R Higgins
- Division of Gastroenterology, Department of Internal Medicine, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan, USA
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Ehrhardt K, Steck N, Kappelhoff R, Stein S, Rieder F, Gordon IO, Boyle EC, Braubach P, Overall CM, Finlay BB, Grassl GA. Persistent Salmonella enterica Serovar Typhimurium Infection Induces Protease Expression During Intestinal Fibrosis. Inflamm Bowel Dis 2019; 25:1629-1643. [PMID: 31066456 PMCID: PMC6749888 DOI: 10.1093/ibd/izz070] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/19/2018] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Intestinal fibrosis is a common and serious complication of Crohn's disease characterized by the accumulation of fibroblasts, deposition of extracellular matrix, and formation of scar tissue. Although many factors including cytokines and proteases contribute to the development of intestinal fibrosis, the initiating mechanisms and the complex interplay between these factors remain unclear. METHODS Chronic infection of mice with Salmonella enterica serovar Typhimurium was used to induce intestinal fibrosis. A murine protease-specific CLIP-CHIP microarray analysis was employed to assess regulation of proteases and protease inhibitors. To confirm up- or downregulation during fibrosis, we performed quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and immunohistochemical stainings in mouse tissue and tissue from patients with inflammatory bowel disease. In vitro infections were used to demonstrate a direct effect of bacterial infection in the regulation of proteases. RESULTS Mice develop severe and persistent intestinal fibrosis upon chronic infection with Salmonella enterica serovar Typhimurium, mimicking the pathology of human disease. Microarray analyses revealed 56 up- and 40 downregulated proteases and protease inhibitors in fibrotic cecal tissue. Various matrix metalloproteases, serine proteases, cysteine proteases, and protease inhibitors were regulated in the fibrotic tissue, 22 of which were confirmed by quantitative real-time PCR. Proteases demonstrated site-specific staining patterns in intestinal fibrotic tissue from mice and in tissue from human inflammatory bowel disease patients. Finally, we show in vitro that Salmonella infection directly induces protease expression in macrophages and epithelial cells but not in fibroblasts. CONCLUSIONS In summary, we show that chronic Salmonella infection regulates proteases and protease inhibitors during tissue fibrosis in vivo and in vitro, and therefore this model is well suited to investigating the role of proteases in intestinal fibrosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Katrin Ehrhardt
- Institute of Medical Microbiology and Hospital Epidemiology and German Center for Infection Research (DZIF), Partner Site Hannover, Hannover Medical School, Hannover, Germany
| | - Natalie Steck
- Institute for Experimental Medicine, Christian-Albrechts University of Kiel, Kiel, Germany, and Research Center Borstel, Borstel, Germany
| | - Reinhild Kappelhoff
- Department of Oral Biological and Medical Sciences, Centre for Blood Research, Faculty of Dentistry, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, Canada
| | - Stephanie Stein
- Institute for Experimental Medicine, Christian-Albrechts University of Kiel, Kiel, Germany, and Research Center Borstel, Borstel, Germany,Present affiliation: Center for Internal Medicine, I. Medical Clinic and Polyclinic, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Florian Rieder
- Department of Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Nutrition, Digestive Diseases and Surgery Institute
| | - Ilyssa O Gordon
- Department of Pathology, Pathology and Laboratory Medicine Institute, Cleveland Clinic Foundation, Cleveland, Ohio, USA
| | - Erin C Boyle
- Department of Cardiothoracic, Transplantation, and Vascular Surgery, Hannover Medical School, Hannover, Germany,Institute for Laboratory Animal Science, Hannover Medical School, Hannover, Germany
| | - Peter Braubach
- Institute for Pathology, Hannover Medical School, Hannover, Germany
| | - Christopher M Overall
- Department of Oral Biological and Medical Sciences, Centre for Blood Research, Faculty of Dentistry, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, Canada
| | - B Brett Finlay
- Michael Smith Laboratories, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, Canada
| | - Guntram A Grassl
- Institute of Medical Microbiology and Hospital Epidemiology and German Center for Infection Research (DZIF), Partner Site Hannover, Hannover Medical School, Hannover, Germany,Address correspondence to: Guntram A. Grassl, PhD, Institute of Medical Microbiology and Hospital Epidemiology, Hannover Medical School, Carl-Neuberg-Str. 1, 30625 Hannover, Germany ()
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Zha L, Garrett S, Sun J. Salmonella Infection in Chronic Inflammation and Gastrointestinal Cancer. Diseases 2019; 7:E28. [PMID: 30857369 PMCID: PMC6473780 DOI: 10.3390/diseases7010028] [Citation(s) in RCA: 41] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/13/2019] [Revised: 02/16/2019] [Accepted: 03/06/2019] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Salmonella not only causes acute infections, but can also cause patients to become chronic "asymptomatic" carriers. Salmonella has been verified as a pathogenic factor that contributes to chronic inflammation and carcinogenesis. This review summarizes the acute and chronic Salmonella infection and describes the current research progress of Salmonella infection contributing to inflammatory bowel disease and cancer. Furthermore, this review explores the underlying biological mechanism of the host signaling pathways manipulated by Salmonella effector molecules. Using experimental animal models, researchers have shown that Salmonella infection is related to host biological processes, such as host cell transformation, stem cell maintenance, and changes of the gut microbiota (dysbiosis). Finally, this review discusses the current challenges and future directions in studying Salmonella infection and its association with human diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lang Zha
- Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Medicine, University of Illinois at Chicago, Chicago, IL 60612, USA.
| | - Shari Garrett
- Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Medicine, University of Illinois at Chicago, Chicago, IL 60612, USA.
| | - Jun Sun
- Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Medicine, University of Illinois at Chicago, Chicago, IL 60612, USA.
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