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Akinsuyi OS, Xhumari J, Ojeda A, Roesch LFW. Gut permeability among Astronauts during Space missions. LIFE SCIENCES IN SPACE RESEARCH 2024; 41:171-180. [PMID: 38670644 DOI: 10.1016/j.lssr.2024.03.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/11/2023] [Revised: 02/02/2024] [Accepted: 03/13/2024] [Indexed: 04/28/2024]
Abstract
The space environment poses substantial challenges to human physiology, including potential disruptions in gastrointestinal health. Gut permeability has only recently become widely acknowledged for its potential to cause adverse effects on a systemic level, rendering it a critical factor to investigate in the context of spaceflight. Here, we propose that astronauts experience the onset of leaky gut during space missions supported by transcriptomic and metagenomic analysis of human and murine samples. A genetic map contributing to intestinal permeability was constructed from a systematic review of current literature. This was referenced against our re-analysis of three independent transcriptomic datasets which revealed significant changes in gene expression patterns associated with the gut barrier. Specifically, in astronauts during flight, we observed a substantial reduction in the expression genes that are crucial for intestinal barrier function, goblet cell development, gut microbiota modulation, and immune responses. Among rodent spaceflight studies, differential expression of cytokines, chemokines, and genes which regulate mucin production and post-translational modifications suggest a similar dysfunction of intestinal permeability. Metagenomic analysis of feces from two murine studies revealed a notable reduction probiotic, short chain fatty acid-producing bacteria and an increase in the Gram-negative pathogens, including Citrobacter rodentium, Enterobacter cloacea, Klebsiella aerogenes, and Proteus hauseri which promote LPS circulation, a recipe for barrier disruption and systemic inflammatory activation. These findings emphasize the critical need to understand the underlying mechanisms and develop interventions to maintain gastrointestinal health in space.
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Affiliation(s)
- Oluwamayowa S Akinsuyi
- Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences, Department of Microbiology and Cell Science, University of Florida, Gainesville 32611, FL, USA
| | - Jessica Xhumari
- Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences, Department of Microbiology and Cell Science, University of Florida, Gainesville 32611, FL, USA
| | - Amanda Ojeda
- Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences, Department of Microbiology and Cell Science, University of Florida, Gainesville 32611, FL, USA
| | - Luiz F W Roesch
- Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences, Department of Microbiology and Cell Science, University of Florida, Gainesville 32611, FL, USA.
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2
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Badia-Ramentol J, Gimeno-Valiente F, Duréndez E, Martínez-Ciarpaglini C, Linares J, Iglesias M, Cervantes A, Calon A, Tarazona N. The prognostic potential of CDX2 in colorectal cancer: Harmonizing biology and clinical practice. Cancer Treat Rev 2023; 121:102643. [PMID: 37871463 DOI: 10.1016/j.ctrv.2023.102643] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/08/2023] [Revised: 10/10/2023] [Accepted: 10/11/2023] [Indexed: 10/25/2023]
Abstract
Adjuvant chemotherapy following surgical intervention remains the primary treatment option for patients with localized colorectal cancer (CRC). However, a significant proportion of patients will have an unfavorable outcome after current forms of chemotherapy. While reflecting the increasing complexity of CRC, the clinical application of molecular biomarkers provides information that can be utilized to guide therapeutic strategies. Among these, caudal-related homeobox transcription factor 2 (CDX2) emerges as a biomarker of both prognosis and relapse after therapy. CDX2 is a key transcription factor that controls intestinal fate. Although rarely mutated in CRC, loss of CDX2 expression has been reported mostly in right-sided, microsatellite-unstable tumors and is associated with aggressive carcinomas. The pathological assessment of CDX2 by immunohistochemistry can thus identify patients with high-risk CRC, but the evaluation of CDX2 expression remains challenging in a substantial proportion of patients. In this review, we discuss the roles of CDX2 in homeostasis and CRC and the alterations that lead to protein expression loss. Furthermore, we review the clinical significance of CDX2 assessment, with a particular focus on its current use as a biomarker for pathological evaluation and clinical decision-making. Finally, we attempt to clarify the molecular implications of CDX2 deficiency, ultimately providing insights for a more precise evaluation of CDX2 protein expression.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jordi Badia-Ramentol
- Cancer Research Program, Hospital del Mar Research Institute (IMIM), Barcelona, Spain
| | - Francisco Gimeno-Valiente
- Cancer Evolution and Genome Instability Laboratory, University College London Cancer Institute, London, UK
| | - Elena Duréndez
- Department of Medical Oncology, INCLIVA Biomedical Research Institute, University of Valencia, CIBERONC, Spain
| | | | - Jenniffer Linares
- Cancer Research Program, Hospital del Mar Research Institute (IMIM), Barcelona, Spain
| | - Mar Iglesias
- Cancer Research Program, Hospital del Mar Research Institute (IMIM), Barcelona, Spain; Department of Pathology, Hospital del Mar, Barcelona, CIBERONC, Spain
| | - Andrés Cervantes
- Department of Medical Oncology, INCLIVA Biomedical Research Institute, University of Valencia, CIBERONC, Spain
| | - Alexandre Calon
- Cancer Research Program, Hospital del Mar Research Institute (IMIM), Barcelona, Spain.
| | - Noelia Tarazona
- Department of Medical Oncology, INCLIVA Biomedical Research Institute, University of Valencia, CIBERONC, Spain.
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3
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Qi Y, He J, Zhang Y, Ge Q, Wang Q, Chen L, Xu J, Wang L, Chen X, Jia D, Lin Y, Xu C, Zhang Y, Hou T, Si J, Chen S, Wang L. Heat-inactivated Bifidobacterium adolescentis ameliorates colon senescence through Paneth-like-cell-mediated stem cell activation. Nat Commun 2023; 14:6121. [PMID: 37777508 PMCID: PMC10542354 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-023-41827-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/14/2022] [Accepted: 09/14/2023] [Indexed: 10/02/2023] Open
Abstract
Declined numbers and weakened functions of intestinal stem cells (ISCs) impair the integrity of the intestinal epithelium during aging. However, the impact of intestinal microbiota on ISCs in this process is unclear. Here, using premature aging mice (telomerase RNA component knockout, Terc-/-), natural aging mice, and in vitro colonoid models, we explore how heat-inactivated Bifidobacterium adolescentis (B. adolescentis) affects colon senescence. We find that B. adolescentis could mitigate colonic senescence-related changes by enhancing intestinal integrity and stimulating the regeneration of Lgr5+ ISCs via Wnt/β-catenin signaling. Furthermore, we uncover the involvement of Paneth-like cells (PLCs) within the colonic stem-cell-supporting niche in the B. adolescentis-induced ISC regeneration. In addition, we identify soluble polysaccharides (SPS) as potential effective components of B. adolescentis. Overall, our findings reveal the role of heat-inactivated B. adolescentis in maintaining the ISCs regeneration and intestinal barrier, and propose a microbiota target for ameliorating colon senescence.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yadong Qi
- Department of Gastroenterology, Sir Run Run Shaw Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China
- Institute of Gastroenterology, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China
| | - Jiamin He
- Department of Gastroenterology, Sir Run Run Shaw Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China
- Institute of Gastroenterology, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China
| | - Yawen Zhang
- Department of Gastroenterology, Sir Run Run Shaw Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China
- Institute of Gastroenterology, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China
- Prevention and Treatment Research Center for Senescent Disease, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China
| | - Qiwei Ge
- Institute of Gastroenterology, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China
- Department of Gastroenterology, Second Affiliated Hospital of Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China
| | - Qiwen Wang
- Department of Gastroenterology, Sir Run Run Shaw Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China
- Institute of Gastroenterology, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China
| | - Luyi Chen
- Prevention and Treatment Research Center for Senescent Disease, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China
- Department of General Practice, Sir Run Run Shaw Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China
| | - Jilei Xu
- Department of Gastroenterology, Sir Run Run Shaw Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China
- Institute of Gastroenterology, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China
| | - Lan Wang
- Department of Gastroenterology, Sir Run Run Shaw Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China
- Institute of Gastroenterology, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China
| | - Xueqin Chen
- Department of Gastroenterology, Sir Run Run Shaw Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China
- Institute of Gastroenterology, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China
| | - Dingjiacheng Jia
- Institute of Gastroenterology, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China
- Department of Gastroenterology, Second Affiliated Hospital of Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China
| | - Yifeng Lin
- Institute of Gastroenterology, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China
- Department of Gastroenterology, Second Affiliated Hospital of Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China
| | - Chaochao Xu
- Institute of Gastroenterology, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China
- Department of Gastroenterology, Second Affiliated Hospital of Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China
| | - Ying Zhang
- Institute of Gastroenterology, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China
- Department of Gastroenterology, Second Affiliated Hospital of Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China
| | - Tongyao Hou
- Department of Gastroenterology, Sir Run Run Shaw Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China
- Institute of Gastroenterology, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China
| | - Jianmin Si
- Department of Gastroenterology, Sir Run Run Shaw Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China.
- Institute of Gastroenterology, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China.
- Prevention and Treatment Research Center for Senescent Disease, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China.
| | - Shujie Chen
- Department of Gastroenterology, Sir Run Run Shaw Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China.
- Institute of Gastroenterology, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China.
- Prevention and Treatment Research Center for Senescent Disease, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China.
| | - Liangjing Wang
- Institute of Gastroenterology, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China.
- Prevention and Treatment Research Center for Senescent Disease, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China.
- Department of Gastroenterology, Second Affiliated Hospital of Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China.
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4
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Jimenez IA, Stilin AP, Morohaku K, Hussein MH, Koganti PP, Selvaraj V. Mitochondrial translocator protein deficiency exacerbates pathology in acute experimental ulcerative colitis. Front Physiol 2022; 13:896951. [PMID: 36060674 PMCID: PMC9437295 DOI: 10.3389/fphys.2022.896951] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/15/2022] [Accepted: 07/26/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
In human patients and animal models of ulcerative colitis (UC), upregulation of the mitochondrial translocator protein (TSPO) in the colon is consistent with inflammation. Although the molecular function for TSPO remains unclear, it has been investigated as a therapeutic target for ameliorating UC pathology. In this study, we examined the susceptibility of Tspo gene-deleted (Tspo -/- ) mice to insults as provided by the dextran sodium sulfate (DSS)-induced acute UC model. Our results show that UC clinical signs and pathology were severely exacerbated in Tspo -/- mice compared to control Tspo fl/fl cohorts. Histopathology showed extensive inflammation and epithelial loss in Tspo -/- mice that caused an aggravated disease. Colonic gene expression in UC uncovered an etiology linked to precipitous loss of epithelial integrity and disproportionate mast cell activation assessed by tryptase levels in Tspo -/- colons. Evaluation of baseline homeostatic shifts in Tspo -/- colons revealed gene expression changes noted in elevated epithelial Cdx2, mast cell Cd36 and Mcp6, with general indicators of lower proliferation capacity and elevated mitochondrial fatty acid oxidation. These findings demonstrate that intact physiological TSPO function serves to limit inflammation in acute UC, and provide a systemic basis for investigating TSPO-targeting mechanistic therapeutics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Isabel A. Jimenez
- Department of Animal Science, College of Agriculture and Life Sciences, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY, United States,Department of Molecular and Comparative Pathobiology, The Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, United States
| | - Allison P. Stilin
- Department of Animal Science, College of Agriculture and Life Sciences, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY, United States
| | - Kanako Morohaku
- Department of Animal Science, College of Agriculture and Life Sciences, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY, United States,School of Science and Technology, Institute of Agriculture, Shinshu University, Nagano, Japan
| | - Mahmoud H. Hussein
- Department of Animal Science, College of Agriculture and Life Sciences, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY, United States
| | - Prasanthi P. Koganti
- Department of Animal Science, College of Agriculture and Life Sciences, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY, United States
| | - Vimal Selvaraj
- Department of Animal Science, College of Agriculture and Life Sciences, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY, United States,*Correspondence: Vimal Selvaraj,
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5
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Jahan S, Awaja N, Hess B, Hajjar S, Sad S, Lohnes D. The transcription factor Cdx2 regulates inflammasome activity through expression of the NLRP3 suppressor TRIM31 to maintain intestinal homeostasis. J Biol Chem 2022; 298:102386. [PMID: 35985421 PMCID: PMC9508567 DOI: 10.1016/j.jbc.2022.102386] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/07/2021] [Revised: 07/26/2022] [Accepted: 08/02/2022] [Indexed: 11/03/2022] Open
Abstract
The intestine-specific transcription factor Cdx2 is essential for intestinal homeostasis and has been implicated in the pathogenesis of disorders including inflammatory bowel disease. However, the mechanism by which Cdx2 influences intestinal disease is not clear. Here, we present evidence supporting a novel Cdx2–TRIM31–NLRP3 (NLR family, pyrin domain containing 3) signaling pathway, which may represent a mechanistic means by which Cdx2 impacts intestinal inflammation. We found that conditional loss of Cdx function resulted in an increase in proinflammatory cytokines, including tumor necrosis factor alpha, interleukin (IL)-1β, and IL-6, in the mouse colon. We further show that TRIM31, which encodes a suppressor of NLRP3 (a central component of the NLRP3 inflammasome complex) is a novel Cdx2 target gene and is attenuated in the colon of Cdx conditional mutants. Consistent with this, we found that attenuation of TRIM31 in Cdx mutant intestine occurs concomitant with elevated levels of NLRP3 and an increase in inflammasome products. We demonstrate that specific inhibition of NLRP3 activity significantly reduced IL-1β and IL-6 levels and extended the life span of Cdx conditional mutants, reflecting the therapeutic potential of targeting NLRP3. Tumor necrosis factor-alpha levels were also induced independent of NLRP3, potentially via elevated activity of the proinflammatory NF-κB signaling pathway in Cdx mutants. Finally, in silico analysis of ulcerative colitis patients revealed attenuation of CDX2 and TRIM31 expression coincident with enhanced expression of proinflammatory cytokines. We conclude that the novel Cdx2–TRIM31–NLRP3 signaling pathway promotes proinflammatory cytokine expression, and its inhibition may have therapeutic potential in human intestinal diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sanzida Jahan
- Department of Cellular and Molecular Medicine, University of Ottawa, 451 Smyth Road, Ottawa, ON K1H 8M5, Canada
| | - Nidaa Awaja
- Department of Cellular and Molecular Medicine, University of Ottawa, 451 Smyth Road, Ottawa, ON K1H 8M5, Canada
| | - Bradley Hess
- Department of Cellular and Molecular Medicine, University of Ottawa, 451 Smyth Road, Ottawa, ON K1H 8M5, Canada
| | - Stephanie Hajjar
- Department of Biochemistry, Microbiology, and Immunology, University of Ottawa, 451 Smyth Road, Ottawa, ON K1H 8M5, Canada
| | - Subash Sad
- Department of Biochemistry, Microbiology, and Immunology, University of Ottawa, 451 Smyth Road, Ottawa, ON K1H 8M5, Canada
| | - David Lohnes
- Department of Cellular and Molecular Medicine, University of Ottawa, 451 Smyth Road, Ottawa, ON K1H 8M5, Canada.
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6
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Guo Y, Xu C, Gong R, Hu T, Zhang X, Xie X, Chi J, Li H, Xia X, Liu X. Exosomal CagA from Helicobacter pylori aggravates intestinal epithelium barrier dysfunction in chronic colitis by facilitating Claudin-2 expression. Gut Pathog 2022; 14:13. [PMID: 35331316 PMCID: PMC8944046 DOI: 10.1186/s13099-022-00486-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/22/2021] [Accepted: 03/10/2022] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND The chronic infection with Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori), especially cytotoxin-associated gene A-positive (CagA+) strains, has been associated with various extragastric disorders. Evaluating the potential impacts of virulence factor CagA on intestine may provide a better understanding of H. pylori pathogenesis such as colitis. The intestinal mucosal barrier is essential for maintaining its integrity and functions. However, how persistent CagA+ H. pylori colonization influences barrier disruption and thereby affects chronic colitis is not fully understood. RESULTS Chronic colitis models of CagA+ H. pylori-colonized mice treated with 2% Dextran sulphate sodium (DSS) were established to assess the disease activity and pertinent expression of tight junction proteins closely related to mucosal integrity. The aggravating effect of CagA+ H. pylori infection on DSS-induced chronic colitis was confirmed in mouse models. In addition, augmented Claudin-2 expression was detected in CagA+ H. pylori infection conditions and selected for mechanistic analysis. Next, GES-1 human gastric epithelial cells were cultured with CagA+ H. pylori or a recombinant CagA protein, and exosomes isolated from conditioned media were then identified. We assessed the Claudin-2 levels after exposure to CagA+ exosomes, CagA- exosomes, and IFN-γ incubation, revealing that CagA+ H. pylori compromised the colonic mucosal barrier and facilitated IFN-γ-induced intestinal epithelial destruction through CagA-containing exosome-mediated mechanisms. Specifically, CagA upregulated Claudin-2 expression at the transcriptional level via a CDX2-dependent mechanism to slow the restoration of wounded mucosa in colitis in vitro. CONCLUSIONS These data suggest that exosomes containing CagA facilitate CDX2-dependent Claudin-2 maintenance. The exosome-dependent mechanisms of CagA+ H. pylori infection are indispensable for damaging the mucosal barrier integrity in chronic colitis, which may provide a new idea for inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yinjie Guo
- Department of Gastroenterology, Third Xiangya Hospital of Central South University, 138 Tongzipo Road, Changsha, 410013, China.,Department of Ophthalmology, The Second Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, 410008, China
| | - Canxia Xu
- Department of Gastroenterology, Third Xiangya Hospital of Central South University, 138 Tongzipo Road, Changsha, 410013, China.,Hunan Key Laboratory of Nonresolving Inflammation and Cancer, Changsha, 410013, China
| | - Renjie Gong
- Department of Gastroenterology, Third Xiangya Hospital of Central South University, 138 Tongzipo Road, Changsha, 410013, China
| | - Tingzi Hu
- Department of Gastroenterology, Third Xiangya Hospital of Central South University, 138 Tongzipo Road, Changsha, 410013, China
| | - Xue Zhang
- Department of Gastroenterology, Third Xiangya Hospital of Central South University, 138 Tongzipo Road, Changsha, 410013, China
| | - Xiaoran Xie
- Department of Gastroenterology, Third Xiangya Hospital of Central South University, 138 Tongzipo Road, Changsha, 410013, China
| | - Jingshu Chi
- Department of Gastroenterology, Third Xiangya Hospital of Central South University, 138 Tongzipo Road, Changsha, 410013, China
| | - Huan Li
- Department of Gastroenterology, Third Xiangya Hospital of Central South University, 138 Tongzipo Road, Changsha, 410013, China
| | - Xiujuan Xia
- Department of Gastroenterology, Third Xiangya Hospital of Central South University, 138 Tongzipo Road, Changsha, 410013, China.
| | - Xiaoming Liu
- Department of Gastroenterology, Third Xiangya Hospital of Central South University, 138 Tongzipo Road, Changsha, 410013, China. .,Hunan Key Laboratory of Nonresolving Inflammation and Cancer, Changsha, 410013, China.
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7
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Laudisi F, Stolfi C, Bevivino G, Maresca C, Franzè E, Troncone E, Lolli E, Marafini I, Pietrucci D, Teofani A, Di Grazia A, Di Fusco D, Colantoni A, Ortenzi A, Desideri A, Monteleone I, Monteleone G. GATA6 Deficiency Leads to Epithelial Barrier Dysfunction and Enhances Susceptibility to Gut Inflammation. J Crohns Colitis 2022; 16:301-311. [PMID: 34374415 DOI: 10.1093/ecco-jcc/jjab145] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/08/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND AND AIMS Intestinal barrier dysfunction is a hallmark of inflammatory bowel diseases [IBD], but the mechanisms that lead to such a defect are not fully understood. This study was aimed at characterising the factors involved in the defective barrier function in IBD. METHODS Transcriptome analysis was performed on colon samples taken from healthy controls [CTR] and IBD patients. Expression of GATA-binding factor 6 [GATA6], a transcription factor involved in intestinal epithelial cell differentiation, was evaluated in colon samples taken from CTR and IBD patients by real-time polymerase chain reaction [PCR] and immunohistochemistry. Intestinal sections of wild-type and Gata6del mice, which exhibit a conditional Gata6 deletion in intestinal epithelial cells and which are either left untreated or receive subcutaneous indomethacin or rectal trinitrobenzene sulphonic acid, were stained with haematoxylin and eosin. In parallel, some Gata6del mice received antibiotics to deplete intestinal flora. Mucosal inflammatory cell infiltration and cytokine production were evaluated by flow cytometry and real-time PCR, respectively, and tight junction proteins were examined by immunofluorescence. Intestinal barrier integrity was assessed by fluorescein isothiocyanate [FITC]-dextran assay. RESULTS Multiple genes involved in cell commitment/proliferation and wound healing were differentially expressed in IBD compared with CTR. Among these, GATA6 was significantly decreased in the IBD epithelium compared with CTR. In mice, conditional deletion of GATA6 in the intestinal epithelium induced primarily epithelial damage, diminished zonula occludens-1 expression, and enhanced intestinal permeability, ultimately resulting in bacteria-driven local immune response and enhanced susceptibility to gut inflammation. CONCLUSIONS Reduced expression of GATA6 promotes intestinal barrier dysfunction, thus amplifying intestinal inflammatory pathology.
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Affiliation(s)
- Federica Laudisi
- Department of Systems Medicine, University of Rome Tor Vergata, Rome, Italy
| | - Carmine Stolfi
- Department of Systems Medicine, University of Rome Tor Vergata, Rome, Italy.,Division of Clinical Biochemistry and Clinical Molecular Biology, University of Rome Tor Vergata, Rome, Italy
| | - Gerolamo Bevivino
- Department of Systems Medicine, University of Rome Tor Vergata, Rome, Italy
| | - Claudia Maresca
- Department of Systems Medicine, University of Rome Tor Vergata, Rome, Italy
| | - Eleonora Franzè
- Department of Systems Medicine, University of Rome Tor Vergata, Rome, Italy
| | - Edoardo Troncone
- Department of Systems Medicine, University of Rome Tor Vergata, Rome, Italy
| | - Elisabetta Lolli
- Department of Systems Medicine, University of Rome Tor Vergata, Rome, Italy
| | - Irene Marafini
- Department of Systems Medicine, University of Rome Tor Vergata, Rome, Italy
| | - Daniele Pietrucci
- Department of Biology, University of Rome Tor Vergata, Rome, Italy.,Department for Innovation in Biological, Agro-Food and Forest Systems, DIBAF, University of Tuscia, Viterbo, Italy
| | - Adelaide Teofani
- Department of Biology, University of Rome Tor Vergata, Rome, Italy
| | - Antonio Di Grazia
- Department of Systems Medicine, University of Rome Tor Vergata, Rome, Italy
| | - Davide Di Fusco
- Department of Systems Medicine, University of Rome Tor Vergata, Rome, Italy
| | - Alfredo Colantoni
- Department of Systems Medicine, University of Rome Tor Vergata, Rome, Italy
| | - Angela Ortenzi
- Department of Systems Medicine, University of Rome Tor Vergata, Rome, Italy
| | | | - Ivan Monteleone
- Department of Biomedicine and Prevention, University of Rome Tor Vergata, Rome, Italy
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8
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Implication of Intestinal Barrier Dysfunction in Gut Dysbiosis and Diseases. Biomedicines 2022; 10:biomedicines10020289. [PMID: 35203499 PMCID: PMC8869546 DOI: 10.3390/biomedicines10020289] [Citation(s) in RCA: 80] [Impact Index Per Article: 40.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/29/2021] [Revised: 01/21/2022] [Accepted: 01/24/2022] [Indexed: 02/04/2023] Open
Abstract
The intestinal mucosal barrier, also referred to as intestinal barrier, is widely recognized as a critical player in gut homeostasis maintenance as it ensures the complex crosstalk between gut microbes (both commensals and pathogens) and the host immune system. Highly specialized epithelial cells constantly cope with several protective and harmful agents to maintain the multiple physiological functions of the barrier as well as its integrity. However, both genetic defects and environmental factors can break such equilibrium, thus promoting gut dysbiosis, dysregulated immune-inflammatory responses, and even the development of chronic pathological conditions. Here, we review and discuss the molecular and cellular pathways underlying intestinal barrier structural and functional homeostasis, focusing on potential alterations that may undermine this fine balance.
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9
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Tarazona N, Gimeno-Valiente F, Gambardella V, Huerta M, Roselló S, Zuniga S, Calon A, Carbonell-Asins JA, Fontana E, Martinez-Ciarpaglini C, Eason K, Rentero-Garrido P, Fleitas T, Papaccio F, Moro-Valdezate D, Nyamundanda G, Castillo J, Espí A, Sadanandam A, Roda D, Cervantes A. Detection of postoperative plasma circulating tumour DNA and lack of CDX2 expression as markers of recurrence in patients with localised colon cancer. ESMO Open 2021; 5:e000847. [PMID: 32967918 PMCID: PMC7513635 DOI: 10.1136/esmoopen-2020-000847] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/29/2020] [Revised: 07/18/2020] [Accepted: 08/10/2020] [Indexed: 01/05/2023] Open
Abstract
Background Colon cancer (CC) is a heterogeneous disease. Novel prognostic factors beyond pathological staging are required to accurately identify patients at higher risk of relapse. Integrating these new biological factors, such as plasma circulating tumour DNA (ctDNA), CDX2 staining, inflammation-associated cytokines and transcriptomic consensus molecular subtypes (CMS) classification, into a multimodal approach may improve our accuracy in determining risk of recurrence. Methods One hundred and fifty patients consecutively diagnosed with localised CC were prospectively enrolled in our study. ctDNA was tracked to detect minimal residual disease by droplet digital PCR. CDX2 expression was analysed by immunostaining. Plasma levels of cytokines potentially involved in disease progression were measured using ELISAs. A 96 custom gene panel for nCounter assay was used to classify CC into colorectal cancer assigner and CMS. Results Most patients were classified into CMS4 (37%) and CMS2 (28%), followed by CMS1 (20%) and CMS3 (15%) groups. CDX2-negative tumours were enriched in CMS1 and CMS4 subtypes. In univariable analysis, prognosis was influenced by primary tumour location, stage, vascular and perineural invasion together with high interleukin-6 plasma levels at baseline, tumours belonging to CMS 1 vs CMS2 +CMS3, ctDNA presence in plasma and CDX2 loss. However, only positive ctDNA in plasma samples (HR 13.64; p=0.002) and lack of CDX2 expression (HR 23.12; p=0.001) were found to be independent prognostic factors for disease-free survival in the multivariable model. Conclusions ctDNA detection after surgery and lack of CDX2 expression identified patients at very high risk of recurrence in localised CC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Noelia Tarazona
- Department of Medical Oncology, Biomedical Research Institute INCLIVA, CIBERONC, University of Valencia, Valencia, Spain
| | - Francisco Gimeno-Valiente
- Department of Medical Oncology, Biomedical Research Institute INCLIVA, University of Valencia, Valencia, Spain
| | - Valentina Gambardella
- Department of Medical Oncology, Biomedical Research Institute INCLIVA, CIBERONC, University of Valencia, Valencia, Spain
| | - Marisol Huerta
- Department of Medical Oncology, Biomedical Research Institute INCLIVA, University of Valencia, Valencia, Spain
| | - Susana Roselló
- Department of Medical Oncology, Biomedical Research Institute INCLIVA, CIBERONC, University of Valencia, Valencia, Spain
| | | | - Alexandre Calon
- Cancer Research Programme, Hospital del Mar Research Institute (IMIM), Barcelona, Catalunya, Spain
| | | | - Elisa Fontana
- Division of Molecular Pathology, Institute of cancer Research, London, UK
| | | | - Katherine Eason
- Division of Molecular Pathology, Institute of cancer Research, London, UK
| | | | - Tania Fleitas
- Department of Medical Oncology, Biomedical Research Institute INCLIVA, CIBERONC, University of Valencia, Valencia, Spain
| | - Federica Papaccio
- Department of Medical Oncology, Biomedical Research Institute INCLIVA, University of Valencia, Valencia, Spain
| | - David Moro-Valdezate
- Department of Surgery, Biomedical Research Institute INCLIVA, University of Valencia, Valencia, Spain
| | - Gift Nyamundanda
- Division of Molecular Pathology, Institute of cancer Research, London, UK
| | - Josefa Castillo
- Department of Medical Oncology, Biomedical Research Institute INCLIVA, CIBERONC, University of Valencia, Valencia, Spain
| | - Alejandro Espí
- Department of Surgery, Biomedical Research Institute INCLIVA, University of Valencia, Valencia, Spain
| | - Anguraj Sadanandam
- Division of Molecular Pathology, Institute of cancer Research, London, UK
| | - Desamparados Roda
- Department of Medical Oncology, Biomedical Research Institute INCLIVA, CIBERONC, University of Valencia, Valencia, Spain
| | - Andrés Cervantes
- Department of Medical Oncology, Biomedical Research Institute INCLIVA, CIBERONC, University of Valencia, Valencia, Spain.
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10
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Souris JS, Zhang HJ, Dougherty U, Chen NT, Waller JV, Lo LW, Hart J, Chen CT, Bissonnette M. A novel mouse model of sporadic colon cancer induced by combination of conditional Apc genes and chemical carcinogen in the absence of Cre recombinase. Carcinogenesis 2019; 40:1376-1386. [PMID: 30859181 PMCID: PMC6875902 DOI: 10.1093/carcin/bgz050] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/31/2018] [Revised: 01/27/2019] [Accepted: 03/08/2019] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Although valuable insights into colon cancer biology have been garnered from human colon cancer cell lines and primary colonic tissues, and animal studies using human colon cancer xenografts, immunocompetent mouse models of spontaneous or chemically induced colon cancer better phenocopy human disease. As most sporadic human colon tumors present adenomatous polyposis coli (APC) gene mutations, considerable effort has gone into developing mice that express mutant Apc alleles that mimic human colon cancer pathogenesis. A serious limitation of many of these Apc-mutant murine models, however, is that these mice develop numerous tumors in the small intestine but few, if any, in the colon. In this work, we examined three spontaneous mouse models of colon tumorigenesis based upon the widely used multiple intestinal neoplasia (Min) mouse: mice with either constitutive or conditional Apc mutations alone or in combination with caudal-related homeobox transcription factor CDX2P-Cre transgene - either with or without exposure to the potent colon carcinogen azoxymethane. Using the CDX2 promoter to drive Cre recombinase transgene expression effectively inactivated Apc in colonocytes, creating a model with earlier tumor onset and increased tumor incidence/burden, but without the Min mouse model's small intestine tumorigenesis and susceptibility to intestinal perforation/ulceration/hemorrhage. Most significantly, azoxymethane-treated mice with conditional Apc expression, but absent the Cre recombinase gene, demonstrated nearly 50% tumor incidence with two or more large colon tumors per mouse of human-like histology, but no small intestine tumors - unlike the azoxymethane-resistant C57BL/6J-background Min mouse model. As such this model provides a robust platform for chemoprevention studies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jeffrey S Souris
- Department of Radiology, The University of Chicago, Chicago, IL, USA
| | - Hannah J Zhang
- Department of Radiology, The University of Chicago, Chicago, IL, USA
| | | | - Nai-Tzu Chen
- Institute of New Drug Development, China Medical University, Taichung, Taiwan
| | - Joseph V Waller
- Department of Radiology, The University of Chicago, Chicago, IL, USA
| | - Leu-Wei Lo
- Department of Radiology, The University of Chicago, Chicago, IL, USA
- Institute of Biomedical Engineering and Nanomedicine, National Health Research Institutes, Zhunan, Miaoli, Taiwan
| | - John Hart
- Department of Pathology, The University of Chicago, Chicago, IL, USA
| | - Chin-Tu Chen
- Department of Radiology, The University of Chicago, Chicago, IL, USA
| | - Marc Bissonnette
- Department of Medicine, The University of Chicago, Chicago, IL, USA
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11
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Cdx2 Animal Models Reveal Developmental Origins of Cancers. Genes (Basel) 2019; 10:genes10110928. [PMID: 31739541 PMCID: PMC6895827 DOI: 10.3390/genes10110928] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/11/2019] [Revised: 11/06/2019] [Accepted: 11/13/2019] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
The Cdx2 homeobox gene is important in assigning positional identity during the finely orchestrated process of embryogenesis. In adults, regenerative responses to tissues damage can require a replay of these same developmental pathways. Errors in reassigning positional identity during regeneration can cause metaplasias-normal tissue arising in an abnormal location-and this in turn, is a well-recognized cancer risk factor. In animal models, a gain of Cdx2 function can elicit a posterior shift in tissue identity, modeling intestinal-type metaplasias of the esophagus (Barrett's esophagus) and stomach. Conversely, loss of Cdx2 function can elicit an anterior shift in tissue identity, inducing serrated-type lesions expressing gastric markers in the colon. These metaplasias are major risk factors for the later development of esophageal, stomach and colon cancer. Leukemia, another cancer in which Cdx2 is ectopically expressed, may have mechanistic parallels with epithelial cancers in terms of stress-induced reprogramming. This review will address how animal models have refined our understanding of the role of Cdx2 in these common human cancers.
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12
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Cocaine Induces Inflammatory Gut Milieu by Compromising the Mucosal Barrier Integrity and Altering the Gut Microbiota Colonization. Sci Rep 2019; 9:12187. [PMID: 31434922 PMCID: PMC6704112 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-019-48428-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 37] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/13/2019] [Accepted: 07/26/2019] [Indexed: 12/28/2022] Open
Abstract
Cocaine use disorder (CUD), a major health crisis, has traditionally been considered a complication of the CNS; however, it is also closely associated with malnourishment and deteriorating gut health. In light of emerging studies on the potential role of gut microbiota in neurological disorders, we sought to understand the causal association between CUD and gut dysbiosis. Using a comprehensive approach, we confirmed that cocaine administration in mice resulted in alterations of the gut microbiota. Furthermore, cocaine-mediated gut dysbiosis was associated with upregulation of proinflammatory mediators including NF-κB and IL-1β. In vivo and in vitro analyses confirmed that cocaine altered gut-barrier composition of the tight junction proteins while also impairing epithelial permeability by potentially involving the MAPK/ERK1/2 signaling. Taken together, our findings unravel a causal link between CUD, gut-barrier dysfunction and dysbiosis and set a stage for future development of supplemental strategies for the management of CUD-associated gut complications.
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13
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Chiocchetti GM, Vélez D, Devesa V. Effect of chronic exposure to inorganic arsenic on intestinal cells. J Appl Toxicol 2019; 39:899-907. [PMID: 30748021 DOI: 10.1002/jat.3778] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/10/2018] [Revised: 12/27/2018] [Accepted: 12/27/2018] [Indexed: 01/10/2023]
Abstract
Chronic exposure to inorganic arsenic (As)-As(III) + As(V)-is associated with type 2 diabetes, vascular diseases and various types of cancer. Although the oral route is the main way of exposure to inorganic As, the adverse gastrointestinal effects produced by chronic exposure are not well documented. The aim of the present study is to evaluate the effect of chronic exposure to As(III) on the intestinal epithelium. For this purpose, NCM460 cells, non-transformed epithelial cells from the human colon, were exposed to As(III) (0.01-0.2 mg/L) for 6 months and monitored for acquisition of a tumor-like phenotype. Secretion of matrix metalloproteinases, histone modifications (H3 acetylation), hyperproliferation capacity, formation of floating spheres, anchorage-independent growth, release of cytokine interleukin-8 and expression of relevant genes in colon tumorigenesis were assessed. The results show a maintained proinflammatory response from the beginning, with an increase in interleukin-8 secretion (≤570%). Downregulation of CDX1 and CDX2 was also observed. After 14 weeks of exposure, cells presented marked increases in matrix metalloproteinase-2 secretion and histone modifications. As(III)-treated cells were hyperproliferative, grew in low-serum media and were able to form free-floating spheres. Overall, these data suggest that exposure of human colon epithelial cells to As(III) facilitates acquisition of transformed cell characteristics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gabriela M Chiocchetti
- Instituto de Agroquímica y Tecnología de Alimentos (IATA-CSIC), Calle Agustín Escardino 7, 46980, Paterna, Valencia, Spain
| | - Dinoraz Vélez
- Instituto de Agroquímica y Tecnología de Alimentos (IATA-CSIC), Calle Agustín Escardino 7, 46980, Paterna, Valencia, Spain
| | - Vicenta Devesa
- Instituto de Agroquímica y Tecnología de Alimentos (IATA-CSIC), Calle Agustín Escardino 7, 46980, Paterna, Valencia, Spain
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14
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Danielsen ET, Olsen AK, Coskun M, Nonboe AW, Larsen S, Dahlgaard K, Bennett EP, Mitchelmore C, Vogel LK, Troelsen JT. Intestinal regulation of suppression of tumorigenicity 14 (ST14) and serine peptidase inhibitor, Kunitz type -1 (SPINT1) by transcription factor CDX2. Sci Rep 2018; 8:11813. [PMID: 30087389 PMCID: PMC6081401 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-018-30216-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/05/2018] [Accepted: 07/23/2018] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
The type II membrane-anchored serine protease, matriptase, encoded by suppression of tumorgenicity-14 (ST14) regulates the integrity of the intestinal epithelial barrier in concert with its inhibitor, HAI-1 encoded by serine peptidase inhibitor, Kunitz type -1 (SPINT1). The balance of the protease/inhibitor gene expression ratio is vital in preventing the oncogenic potential of matriptase. The intestinal cell lineage is regulated by a transcriptional regulatory network where the tumor suppressor, Caudal homeobox 2 (CDX2) is considered to be an intestinal master transcription factor. In this study, we show that CDX2 has a dual function in regulating both ST14 and SPINT1, gene expression in intestinal cells. We find that CDX2 is not required for the basal ST14 and SPINT1 gene expression; however changes in CDX2 expression affects the ST14/SPINT1 mRNA ratio. Exploring CDX2 ChIP-seq data from intestinal cell lines, we identified genomic CDX2-enriched enhancer elements for both ST14 and SPINT1, which regulate their corresponding gene promoter activity. We show that CDX2 displays both repressive and enhancing regulatory abilities in a cell specific manner. Together, these data reveal new insight into transcriptional mechanisms controlling the intestinal matriptase/inhibitor balance.
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Affiliation(s)
- E Thomas Danielsen
- Department of Science and Environment, Roskilde University, Roskilde, Denmark.,Institute of Cellular and Molecular Medicine, the Panum Institute, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Anders Krüger Olsen
- Institute of Cellular and Molecular Medicine, the Panum Institute, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Mehmet Coskun
- Department of Gastroenterology, University of Copenhagen, DK-2730, Herlev, Denmark
| | - Annika W Nonboe
- Institute of Cellular and Molecular Medicine, the Panum Institute, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Sylvester Larsen
- Department of Science and Environment, Roskilde University, Roskilde, Denmark.,Department of Clinical Immunology, Naestved Hospital, Naestved, Region Zealand, Denmark
| | - Katja Dahlgaard
- Department of Science and Environment, Roskilde University, Roskilde, Denmark
| | - Eric Paul Bennett
- Copenhagen Center for Glycomics, Department of Odontology, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Cathy Mitchelmore
- Department of Science and Environment, Roskilde University, Roskilde, Denmark
| | - Lotte Katrine Vogel
- Institute of Cellular and Molecular Medicine, the Panum Institute, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
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15
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Garbacz WG, Uppal H, Yan J, Xu M, Ren S, Stolz DB, Huang M, Xie W. Chronic Activation of Liver X Receptor Sensitizes Mice to High Cholesterol Diet-Induced Gut Toxicity. Mol Pharmacol 2018; 94:1145-1154. [PMID: 30045953 DOI: 10.1124/mol.118.112672] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/05/2018] [Accepted: 07/16/2018] [Indexed: 11/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Cholesterol is essential for numerous biologic functions and processes, but an excess of intracellular cholesterol can be toxic. Intestinal cholesterol absorption is a major determinant of plasma cholesterol level. The liver X receptor (LXR) is a nuclear receptor known for its activity in cholesterol efflux and reverse cholesterol transport. In this study, we uncovered a surprising function of LXR in intestinal cholesterol absorption and toxicity. Genetic or pharmacologic activation of LXRα-sensitized mice to a high-cholesterol diet (HCD) induced intestinal toxicity and tissue damage, including the disruption of enterocyte tight junctions, whereas the same HCD caused little toxicity in the absence of LXR activation. The gut toxicity in HCD-fed LXR-KI mice may have been accounted for by the increased intestinal cholesterol absorption and elevation of enterocyte and systemic levels of free cholesterol. The increased intestinal cholesterol absorption preceded the gut toxicity, suggesting that the increased absorption was not secondary to tissue damage. The heightened sensitivity to HCD in the HCD-fed LXRα-activated mice appeared to be intestine-specific because the liver was not affected despite activation of the same receptor in this tissue. Moreover, heightened sensitivity to HCD cannot be reversed by ezetimibe, a Niemann-Pick C1-like 1 inhibitor that inhibits intestinal cholesterol absorption, suggesting that the increased cholesterol absorption in LXR-activated intestine is mediated by a mechanism that has yet to be defined.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wojciech G Garbacz
- Center for Pharmacogenetics and Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences (W.G.G., H.U., J.Y., M.X., S.R., W.X.), Departments of Cell Biology and Physiology (D.B.S.) and Pharmacology and Chemical Biology (W.X.), University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania; and Institute of Clinical Pharmacology and Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of New Drug Design and Evaluation, Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou, China (M.H.)
| | - Hirdesh Uppal
- Center for Pharmacogenetics and Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences (W.G.G., H.U., J.Y., M.X., S.R., W.X.), Departments of Cell Biology and Physiology (D.B.S.) and Pharmacology and Chemical Biology (W.X.), University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania; and Institute of Clinical Pharmacology and Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of New Drug Design and Evaluation, Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou, China (M.H.)
| | - Jiong Yan
- Center for Pharmacogenetics and Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences (W.G.G., H.U., J.Y., M.X., S.R., W.X.), Departments of Cell Biology and Physiology (D.B.S.) and Pharmacology and Chemical Biology (W.X.), University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania; and Institute of Clinical Pharmacology and Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of New Drug Design and Evaluation, Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou, China (M.H.)
| | - Meishu Xu
- Center for Pharmacogenetics and Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences (W.G.G., H.U., J.Y., M.X., S.R., W.X.), Departments of Cell Biology and Physiology (D.B.S.) and Pharmacology and Chemical Biology (W.X.), University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania; and Institute of Clinical Pharmacology and Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of New Drug Design and Evaluation, Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou, China (M.H.)
| | - Songrong Ren
- Center for Pharmacogenetics and Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences (W.G.G., H.U., J.Y., M.X., S.R., W.X.), Departments of Cell Biology and Physiology (D.B.S.) and Pharmacology and Chemical Biology (W.X.), University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania; and Institute of Clinical Pharmacology and Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of New Drug Design and Evaluation, Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou, China (M.H.)
| | - Donna B Stolz
- Center for Pharmacogenetics and Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences (W.G.G., H.U., J.Y., M.X., S.R., W.X.), Departments of Cell Biology and Physiology (D.B.S.) and Pharmacology and Chemical Biology (W.X.), University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania; and Institute of Clinical Pharmacology and Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of New Drug Design and Evaluation, Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou, China (M.H.)
| | - Min Huang
- Center for Pharmacogenetics and Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences (W.G.G., H.U., J.Y., M.X., S.R., W.X.), Departments of Cell Biology and Physiology (D.B.S.) and Pharmacology and Chemical Biology (W.X.), University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania; and Institute of Clinical Pharmacology and Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of New Drug Design and Evaluation, Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou, China (M.H.)
| | - Wen Xie
- Center for Pharmacogenetics and Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences (W.G.G., H.U., J.Y., M.X., S.R., W.X.), Departments of Cell Biology and Physiology (D.B.S.) and Pharmacology and Chemical Biology (W.X.), University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania; and Institute of Clinical Pharmacology and Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of New Drug Design and Evaluation, Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou, China (M.H.)
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16
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Balbinot C, Armant O, Elarouci N, Marisa L, Martin E, De Clara E, Onea A, Deschamps J, Beck F, Freund JN, Duluc I. The Cdx2 homeobox gene suppresses intestinal tumorigenesis through non-cell-autonomous mechanisms. J Exp Med 2018; 215:911-926. [PMID: 29439001 PMCID: PMC5839756 DOI: 10.1084/jem.20170934] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/23/2017] [Revised: 11/13/2017] [Accepted: 01/18/2018] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Balbinot et al. show that intestinal epithelial cells depleted in the homeobox gene Cdx2 acquire an imperfect gastric-type metaplastic phenotype that, through changes in the microenvironment, induces the tumorigenic evolution of adjacent Cdx2-intact cells without themselves becoming cancerous. Developmental genes contribute to cancer, as reported for the homeobox gene Cdx2 playing a tumor suppressor role in the gut. In this study, we show that human colon cancers exhibiting the highest reduction in CDX2 expression belong to the serrated subtype with the worst evolution. In mice, mosaic knockout of Cdx2 in the adult intestinal epithelium induces the formation of imperfect gastric-type metaplastic lesions. The metaplastic knockout cells do not spontaneously become tumorigenic. However, they induce profound modifications of the microenvironment that facilitate the tumorigenic evolution of adjacent Cdx2-intact tumor-prone cells at the surface of the lesions through NF-κB activation, induction of inducible nitric oxide synthase, and stochastic loss of function of Apc. This study presents a novel paradigm in that metaplastic cells, generally considered as precancerous, can induce tumorigenesis from neighboring nonmetaplastic cells without themselves becoming cancerous. It unveils the novel property of non–cell-autonomous tumor suppressor gene for the Cdx2 gene in the gut.
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Affiliation(s)
- Camille Balbinot
- Université de Strasbourg, Institut National de la Santé et de la Recherche Médicale, IRFAC UMR-S1113, Fédération de Médecine Translationnelle de Strasbourg, Strasbourg, France
| | - Olivier Armant
- Karlsruhe Institute of Technology, Institute of Toxicology and Genetics, Karlsruhe, Germany
| | - Nabila Elarouci
- Cartes d'Identité des Tumeurs Program, Ligue Nationale Contre le Cancer, Paris, France
| | - Laetitia Marisa
- Cartes d'Identité des Tumeurs Program, Ligue Nationale Contre le Cancer, Paris, France
| | - Elisabeth Martin
- Université de Strasbourg, Institut National de la Santé et de la Recherche Médicale, IRFAC UMR-S1113, Fédération de Médecine Translationnelle de Strasbourg, Strasbourg, France
| | - Etienne De Clara
- Université de Strasbourg, Institut National de la Santé et de la Recherche Médicale, IRFAC UMR-S1113, Fédération de Médecine Translationnelle de Strasbourg, Strasbourg, France
| | - Alina Onea
- Département de Pathologie, Centre Hospitalier Universitaire de Strasbourg, Strasbourg, France
| | - Jacqueline Deschamps
- Developmental Biology and Stem Cell Research, Hubrecht Institute, Utrecht, Netherlands
| | - Felix Beck
- Barts and The London School of Medicine and Dentistry, London, England, UK
| | - Jean-Noël Freund
- Université de Strasbourg, Institut National de la Santé et de la Recherche Médicale, IRFAC UMR-S1113, Fédération de Médecine Translationnelle de Strasbourg, Strasbourg, France
| | - Isabelle Duluc
- Université de Strasbourg, Institut National de la Santé et de la Recherche Médicale, IRFAC UMR-S1113, Fédération de Médecine Translationnelle de Strasbourg, Strasbourg, France
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17
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Chatterjee I, Kumar A, Castilla-Madrigal RM, Pellon-Cardenas O, Gill RK, Alrefai WA, Borthakur A, Verzi M, Dudeja PK. CDX2 upregulates SLC26A3 gene expression in intestinal epithelial cells. Am J Physiol Gastrointest Liver Physiol 2017; 313:G256-G264. [PMID: 28572085 PMCID: PMC5625132 DOI: 10.1152/ajpgi.00108.2017] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/05/2017] [Revised: 05/26/2017] [Accepted: 05/26/2017] [Indexed: 01/31/2023]
Abstract
SLC26A3 [downregulated in adenoma (DRA)] plays a key role in mammalian intestinal NaCl absorption, in that it mediates apical membrane Cl-/[Formula: see text] exchange. DRA function and expression are significantly decreased in diarrhea associated with inflammatory bowel disease. DRA is also considered to be a marker of cellular differentiation and is predominantly expressed in differentiated epithelial cells. Caudal-type homeobox protein-2 (CDX2) is known to regulate genes involved in intestinal epithelial differentiation and proliferation. Reduced expression of both DRA and CDX2 in intestinal inflammation prompted us to study whether the DRA gene is directly regulated by CDX2. Our initial studies utilizing CDX2 knockout (CDX2fV/fV;Cre+) mice showed a marked reduction in DRA mRNA and protein levels in proximal and distal colon. In silico analysis of the DRA promoter showed two consensus sites for CDX2 binding. Therefore, we utilized Caco-2 cells as an in vitro model to examine if DRA is a direct target of CDX2 regulation. siRNA-mediated silencing of CDX2 in Caco-2 cells resulted in a marked (~50%) decrease in DRA mRNA and protein levels, whereas ectopic overexpression of CDX2 upregulated DRA expression and also stimulated DRA promoter activity, suggesting transcriptional regulation. Electrophoretic mobility shift and chromatin immunoprecipitation assays demonstrated direct binding of CDX2 to one of the two putative CDX2 binding sites in the DRA promoter (+645/+663). In summary, our studies, for the first time, demonstrate transcriptional regulation of DRA expression by CDX2, implying that reduced expression of DRA in inflammatory bowel disease-associated diarrhea may, in part, be due to downregulation of CDX2 in the inflamed mucosa.NEW & NOTEWORTHY SLC26A3 [downregulated in adenoma (DRA)] mediates intestinal luminal NaCl absorption and is downregulated in inflammatory bowel disease-associated diarrhea. Since both DRA and caudal-type homeobox protein-2 (CDX2) are reduced in intestinal inflammation and the DRA promoter harbors CDX2 binding sites, we examined whether the DRA gene is regulated by CDX2. Our studies, for the first time, demonstrate transcriptional regulation of DRA expression by CDX2 via direct binding to the DRA promoter, suggesting that reduced expression of DRA in inflammatory bowel disease-associated diarrhea could, in part, be attributed to downregulation of CDX2.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ishita Chatterjee
- 2Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Department of Medicine, University of Illinois at Chicago, Chicago, Illinois;
| | - Anoop Kumar
- 2Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Department of Medicine, University of Illinois at Chicago, Chicago, Illinois;
| | | | | | - Ravinder K. Gill
- 2Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Department of Medicine, University of Illinois at Chicago, Chicago, Illinois;
| | - Waddah A. Alrefai
- 1Jesse Brown Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Chicago, Illinois; ,2Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Department of Medicine, University of Illinois at Chicago, Chicago, Illinois;
| | - Alip Borthakur
- 2Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Department of Medicine, University of Illinois at Chicago, Chicago, Illinois;
| | - Michael Verzi
- 4Department of Genetics, Rutgers University, Piscataway, New Jersey
| | - Pradeep K. Dudeja
- 1Jesse Brown Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Chicago, Illinois; ,2Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Department of Medicine, University of Illinois at Chicago, Chicago, Illinois;
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18
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Zschemisch NH, Brüsch I, Hambusch AS, Bleich A. Transcription Factor SP2 Enhanced the Expression of Cd14 in Colitis-Susceptible C3H/HeJBir. PLoS One 2016; 11:e0155821. [PMID: 27191968 PMCID: PMC4871554 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0155821] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/09/2015] [Accepted: 05/04/2016] [Indexed: 01/19/2023] Open
Abstract
Genetic analysis in the IL10-deficient mouse model revealed a modifier locus of experimental inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) on chromosome 18, with the allele of the strain C3H/HeJBir (C3Bir) conferring resistance and the allele of C57BL/6J (B6) conferring susceptibility. Differential Cd14 expression was associated with this background specific susceptibility to intestinal inflammation. Polymorphisms of the Cd14 promoter were found to be likely causative for strain specific expression, and Cd14-knockout mice revealed a protective role of this gene-product in experimental IBD. In this study, luciferase reporter assays confirmed an increased activity of the C3Bir derived Cd14 promoter compared to the one of B6. Promoter truncation experiments and site-directed mutagenesis in both strains resulted in reduced Cd14 promoter activity and confirmed that a central AP1 and the proximal SP1 transcription factor binding sites mediated the basal activity of the Cd14 promoter in the mouse. Moreover, a T to C exchange at position -259 replaced putative STAT1 and CDX1 sites in the Cd14 promoter from B6 by a SP2 site in C3Bir. Ablation of the Sp2 site through truncation was associated with a decreased promoter activity. Site-directed mutagenesis also demonstrated that the inactivation of SP2 led to a substantial loss of promoter activity in C3Bir. Performing electrophoretic mobility shift and supershift assays demonstrated interaction of SP2 with its potential binding site. In addition, retroviral—mediated overexpression of the SP2 transcription factor in primary bone marrow macrophages derived from C3Bir mice caused a significant increase in Cd14 transcription. These data characterized SP2 as important factor responsible for higher Cd14 expression and reduced IBD susceptibility mediated by the C3Bir allele.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nils-Holger Zschemisch
- Institute for Laboratory Animal Science and Central Animal Facility, Hannover Medical School, Hannover, Germany
| | - Inga Brüsch
- Institute for Laboratory Animal Science and Central Animal Facility, Hannover Medical School, Hannover, Germany
| | - Anne-Sophie Hambusch
- Institute for Laboratory Animal Science and Central Animal Facility, Hannover Medical School, Hannover, Germany
| | - André Bleich
- Institute for Laboratory Animal Science and Central Animal Facility, Hannover Medical School, Hannover, Germany
- * E-mail:
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19
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Type I Interferon Response Limits Astrovirus Replication and Protects against Increased Barrier Permeability In Vitro and In Vivo. J Virol 2015; 90:1988-96. [PMID: 26656701 DOI: 10.1128/jvi.02367-15] [Citation(s) in RCA: 35] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/15/2015] [Accepted: 11/30/2015] [Indexed: 01/13/2023] Open
Abstract
UNLABELLED Little is known about intrinsic epithelial cell responses against astrovirus infection. Here we show that human astrovirus type 1 (HAstV-1) infection induces type I interferon (beta interferon [IFN-β]) production in differentiated Caco2 cells, which not only inhibits viral replication by blocking positive-strand viral RNA and capsid protein synthesis but also protects against HAstV-1-increased barrier permeability. Excitingly, we found similar results in vivo using a murine astrovirus (MuAstV) model, providing new evidence that virus-induced type I IFNs may protect against astrovirus replication and pathogenesis in vivo. IMPORTANCE Human astroviruses are a major cause of pediatric diarrhea, yet little is known about the immune response. Here we show that type I interferon limits astrovirus infection and preserves barrier permeability both in vitro and in vivo. Importantly, we characterized a new mouse model for studying astrovirus replication and pathogenesis.
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Wu X, Conlin VS, Morampudi V, Ryz NR, Nasser Y, Bhinder G, Bergstrom KS, Yu HB, Waterhouse CCM, Buchan AMJ, Popescu OE, Gibson WT, Waschek JA, Vallance BA, Jacobson K. Vasoactive intestinal polypeptide promotes intestinal barrier homeostasis and protection against colitis in mice. PLoS One 2015; 10:e0125225. [PMID: 25932952 PMCID: PMC4416880 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0125225] [Citation(s) in RCA: 35] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/27/2014] [Accepted: 03/22/2015] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Inflammatory bowel disease is a chronic gastrointestinal inflammatory disorder associated with changes in neuropeptide expression and function, including vasoactive intestinal peptide (VIP). VIP regulates intestinal vasomotor and secretomotor function and motility; however, VIP's role in development and maintenance of colonic epithelial barrier homeostasis is unclear. Using VIP deficient (VIPKO) mice, we investigated VIP's role in epithelial barrier homeostasis, and susceptibility to colitis. Colonic crypt morphology and epithelial barrier homeostasis were assessed in wildtype (WT) and VIPKO mice, at baseline. Colitic responses were evaluated following dinitrobenzene sulfonic acid (DNBS) or dextran-sodium sulfate (DSS) exposure. Mice were also treated with exogenous VIP. At baseline, VIPKO mice exhibited distorted colonic crypts, defects in epithelial cell proliferation and migration, increased apoptosis, and altered permeability. VIPKO mice also displayed reduced goblet cell numbers, and reduced expression of secreted goblet cell factors mucin 2 and trefoil factor 3. These changes were associated with reduced expression of caudal type homeobox 2 (Cdx2), a master regulator of intestinal function and homeostasis. DNBS and DSS-induced colitis were more severe in VIPKO than WT mice. VIP treatment rescued the phenotype, protecting VIPKO mice against DSS colitis, with results comparable to WT mice. In conclusion, VIP plays a crucial role in the development and maintenance of colonic epithelial barrier integrity under physiological conditions and promotes epithelial repair and homeostasis during colitis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiujuan Wu
- Department of Pediatrics, Division of Gastroenterology, BC Children’s Hospital and the University of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
- Child and Family Research Institute, BC Children’s Hospital and the University of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
| | - Victoria S. Conlin
- Department of Pediatrics, Division of Gastroenterology, BC Children’s Hospital and the University of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
- Child and Family Research Institute, BC Children’s Hospital and the University of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
| | - Vijay Morampudi
- Department of Pediatrics, Division of Gastroenterology, BC Children’s Hospital and the University of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
- Child and Family Research Institute, BC Children’s Hospital and the University of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
| | - Natasha R. Ryz
- Department of Pediatrics, Division of Gastroenterology, BC Children’s Hospital and the University of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
- Child and Family Research Institute, BC Children’s Hospital and the University of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
| | - Yasmin Nasser
- Department of Pediatrics, Division of Gastroenterology, BC Children’s Hospital and the University of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
- Child and Family Research Institute, BC Children’s Hospital and the University of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
| | - Ganive Bhinder
- Department of Pediatrics, Division of Gastroenterology, BC Children’s Hospital and the University of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
- Child and Family Research Institute, BC Children’s Hospital and the University of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
| | - Kirk S. Bergstrom
- Department of Pediatrics, Division of Gastroenterology, BC Children’s Hospital and the University of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
- Child and Family Research Institute, BC Children’s Hospital and the University of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
- Oklahoma Medical Research Foundation (OMRF), Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, United States of America
| | - Hong B. Yu
- Department of Pediatrics, Division of Gastroenterology, BC Children’s Hospital and the University of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
- Child and Family Research Institute, BC Children’s Hospital and the University of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
| | | | | | - Oana E. Popescu
- Department of Pathology, BC Children’s Hospital and the University of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
| | - William T. Gibson
- Child and Family Research Institute, BC Children’s Hospital and the University of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
- Department of Medical Genetics, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
| | - James A. Waschek
- Semel Institute for Neuroscience and Human Behavior, Department of Psychiatry and Biobehavioral Sciences, David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California Los Angeles, Los Angeles, United States of America
| | - Bruce A. Vallance
- Department of Pediatrics, Division of Gastroenterology, BC Children’s Hospital and the University of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
- Child and Family Research Institute, BC Children’s Hospital and the University of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
| | - Kevan Jacobson
- Department of Pediatrics, Division of Gastroenterology, BC Children’s Hospital and the University of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
- Child and Family Research Institute, BC Children’s Hospital and the University of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
- * E-mail:
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Gopal A, Iyer SC, Gopal U, Devaraj N, Halagowder D. Shigella dysenteriae modulates BMP pathway to induce mucin gene expression in vivo and in vitro. PLoS One 2014; 9:e111408. [PMID: 25365201 PMCID: PMC4218725 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0111408] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/22/2014] [Accepted: 10/02/2014] [Indexed: 12/27/2022] Open
Abstract
Mucosal epithelial cells in the intestine act as the first line of host defense against pathogens by increasing mucin production for clearance. Despite this fact, the underlying molecular mechanisms by which Shigella dysenteriae transduce mucin gene expression remain poorly defined. The goal of this study was to determine the role of Bone morphogenetic protein (BMP) pathway in mucin gene expression during S. dysenteriae infection. In this study we demonstrate that S. dysenteriae activates BMP signaling to induce MUC2 and MUC5AC gene expression in rat ileal loop model and in vitro. We also observed that BMP pathway regulates CDX2 expression which plays a critical role in induction of MUC2 gene during S. dysenteriae infection. In SMAD4 silenced cells S. dysenteriae infection did not abrogate MUC2 and MUC5AC gene expression whereas in CDX2 silenced cells it induces differential expression of MUC5AC gene. These results suggest that SMAD4-CDX2 induces MUC2 gene expression whereas SMAD4 directly influences differential expression of MUC5AC gene. Altogether, our results show that during S. dysenteriae infection the BMP pathway modulates inflammatory transcription factors CDX2 and SMAD4 to induce MUC2 and MUC5AC gene expression which plays a key role in the regulation of host mucosal defense thereby paving a cue for therapeutic application.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ashidha Gopal
- Unit of Biochemistry, Department of Zoology, School of Life Sciences, University of Madras, Guindy Campus, Chennai, Tamilnadu, India
| | - Soumya Chidambaram Iyer
- Unit of Biochemistry, Department of Zoology, School of Life Sciences, University of Madras, Guindy Campus, Chennai, Tamilnadu, India
| | - Udhayakumar Gopal
- Department of Pathology, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, North Carolina, United States of America
| | - Niranjali Devaraj
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Madras, Guindy Campus, Chennai, Tamilnadu, India
| | - Devaraj Halagowder
- Unit of Biochemistry, Department of Zoology, School of Life Sciences, University of Madras, Guindy Campus, Chennai, Tamilnadu, India
- * E-mail:
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22
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[Identity and intestinal pathologies: the Cdx2 homeotic gene]. Ann Pathol 2012; 32:S24-7. [PMID: 23127929 DOI: 10.1016/j.annpat.2012.08.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/30/2012] [Accepted: 08/12/2012] [Indexed: 11/23/2022]
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Abstract
Members of the caudal gene family (in mice and humans: Cdx1, Cdx2, and Cdx4) have been studied during early development as regulators of axial elongation and anteroposterior patterning. In the adult, Cdx1 and Cdx2, but not Cdx4, have been intensively explored for their function in intestinal tissue homeostasis and the pathogenesis of gastrointestinal cancers. Involvement in embryonic hematopoiesis was first demonstrated in zebrafish, where cdx genes render posterior lateral plate mesoderm competent to respond to genes specifying hematopoietic fate, and compound mutations in cdx genes thus result in a bloodless phenotype. Parallel studies performed in zebrafish embryos and murine embryonic stem cells (ESCs) delineate conserved pathways between fish and mammals, corroborating a BMP/Wnt-Cdx-Hox axis during blood development that can be employed to augment derivation of blood progenitors from pluripotent stem cells in vitro. The molecular regulation of Cdx genes appears complex, as more recent data suggest involvement of non-Hox-related mechanisms and the existence of auto- and cross-regulatory loops governed by morphogens. Here, we will review the role of Cdx genes during hematopoietic development by comparing effects in zebrafish and mice and discuss their participation in malignant blood diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Claudia Lengerke
- University of Tübingen Medical Center-Hematology & Oncology, Tübingen, Germany.
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Saandi T, Baraille F, Derbal-Wolfrom L, Cattin AL, Benahmed F, Martin E, Cardot P, Duclos B, Ribeiro A, Freund JN, Duluc I. Regulation of the tumor suppressor homeogene Cdx2 by HNF4α in intestinal cancer. Oncogene 2012; 32:3782-8. [PMID: 22986531 DOI: 10.1038/onc.2012.401] [Citation(s) in RCA: 32] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/05/2012] [Revised: 07/16/2012] [Accepted: 07/17/2012] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
Abstract
The gut-specific homeotic transcription factor Cdx2 is a crucial regulator of intestinal development and homeostasis, which is downregulated in colorectal cancers (CRC) and exhibits a tumor suppressor function in the colon. We have previously established that several endodermal transcription factors, including HNF4α and GATA6, are involved in Cdx2 regulation in the normal gut. Here we have studied the role of HNF4α in the mechanism of deregulation of Cdx2 in colon cancers. Crossing Apc(Δ14/+) mice prone to spontaneous intestinal tumor development with pCdx2-9LacZ transgenic mice containing the LacZ reporter under the control of the 9.3-kb Cdx2 promoter showed that this promoter segment contains sequences recapitulating the decrease of Cdx2 expression in intestinal cancers. Immunohistochemistry revealed that HNF4α, unlike GATA6, exhibited a similar decrease to Cdx2 in genetic (Apc(min/+) and Apc(Δ14/+)) and chemically induced (Azoxymethane (AOM) treatment) models of intestinal tumors in mice. HNF4α and Cdx2 also exhibited a comparable deregulated pattern in human CRC. Correlated patterns were observed between HNF4α and Cdx2 in several experimental models of human colon cancer cell lines: xenografts in nude mice, wound healing and glucose starvation. Furthermore, Cdx2 decreased by knocking down HNF4α in human colon cancer cells using siRNA and in the colon of mice conditionally knocked out for the Hnf4α gene in the adult intestine (Hnf4α(f/f);VilCre(ERT2) mice). Finally, the conditionally knocked out mice Hnf4α(f/f);VilCre(ERT2) treated with the carcinogen AOM developed colorectal tumors earlier than wild-type mice, as previously reported for mice with a reduced Cdx2 expression. In conclusion, this study provides evidence that the downregulation of HNF4α is an important determinant of the reduced expression of the Cdx2 tumor suppressor gene in intestinal cancers. Consistently, similar to Cdx2, HNF4α exerts a tumor suppressor function in the colon in that its loss of function facilitates tumor progression.
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Affiliation(s)
- T Saandi
- Inserm, Unité 682, Strasbourg, France
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25
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Coskun M, Olsen AK, Holm TL, Kvist PH, Nielsen OH, Riis LB, Olsen J, Troelsen JT. TNF-α-induced down-regulation of CDX2 suppresses MEP1A expression in colitis. Biochim Biophys Acta Mol Basis Dis 2012; 1822:843-51. [PMID: 22326557 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbadis.2012.01.012] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/09/2011] [Revised: 01/24/2012] [Accepted: 01/25/2012] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND/AIMS High levels of pro-inflammatory cytokines are linked to inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). The transcription factor Caudal-related homeobox transcription factor 2 (CDX2) plays a crucial role in differentiation of intestinal epithelium and regulates IBD-susceptibility genes, including meprin 1A (MEP1A). The aim was to investigate the expression of CDX2 and MEP1A in colitis; to assess if they are regulated by tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), and finally to reveal if CDX2 is involved in a TNF-α-induced down-regulation of MEP1A. METHODS Expression of CDX2 and MEP1A was investigated in colonic biopsies of ulcerative colitis (UC) patients and in dextran sodium sulfate (DSS)-induced colitis. CDX2 protein expression was investigated by immunoblotting and immunohistochemical procedures. CDX2 and MEP1A regulation was examined in TNF-α-treated Caco-2 cells by reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction and with reporter gene assays, and the effect of anti-TNF-α treatment was assessed using infliximab. Finally, in vivo CDX2-DNA interactions were investigated by chromatin immunoprecipitation. RESULTS The CDX2 and MEP1A mRNA expression was significantly decreased in active UC patients and in DSS-colitis. Colonic biopsy specimens from active UC showed markedly decreased CDX2 staining. TNF-α treatment diminished the CDX2 and MEP1A mRNA levels, a decrease which, was counteracted by infliximab treatment. Reporter gene assays showed significantly reduced CDX2 and MEP1A activity upon TNF-α stimulation. Finally, TNF-α impaired the ability of CDX2 to interact and activate its own, as well as the MEP1A expression. CONCLUSIONS The present results indicate that a TNF-α-mediated down-regulation of CDX2 can be related to suppressed expression of MEP1A during intestinal inflammation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mehmet Coskun
- Department of Gastroenterology, Medical Section, Herlev Hospital, University of Copenhagen, Herlev, Denmark.
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Ma L, Jüttner M, Kullak-Ublick GA, Eloranta JJ. Regulation of the gene encoding the intestinal bile acid transporter ASBT by the caudal-type homeobox proteins CDX1 and CDX2. Am J Physiol Gastrointest Liver Physiol 2012; 302:G123-33. [PMID: 22016432 DOI: 10.1152/ajpgi.00102.2011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/08/2023]
Abstract
The apical sodium-dependent bile acid transporter (ASBT) is expressed abundantly in the ileum and mediates bile acid absorption across the apical membranes. Caudal-type homeobox proteins CDX1 and CDX2 are transcription factors that regulate genes involved in intestinal epithelial differentiation and proliferation. Aberrant expression of both ASBT and CDXs in Barrett's esophagus (BE) prompted us to study, whether the expression of the ASBT gene is regulated by CDXs. Short interfering RNA-mediated knockdown of CDXs resulted in reduced ASBT mRNA expression in intestinal cells. CDXs strongly induced the activity of the ASBT promoter in reporter assays in esophageal and intestinal cells. Nine CDX binding sites were predicted in silico within the ASBT promoter, and binding of CDXs to six of them was verified in vitro and within living cells by electrophoretic mobility shift assays and chromatin immunoprecipitation assays, respectively. RNAs were extracted from esophageal biopsies from 20 BE patients and analyzed by real-time PCR. Correlation with ASBT expression was found for CDX1, CDX2, and HNF-1α in BE biopsies. In conclusion, the human ASBT promoter is activated transcriptionally by CDX1 and CDX2. Our finding provides a possible explanation for the reported observation that ASBT is aberrantly expressed in esophageal metaplasia that also expresses CDX transcription factors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Li Ma
- Department of Clinical Pharmacology and Toxicology, University Hospital Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
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Renouf B, Soret C, Saandi T, Delalande F, Martin E, Vanier M, Duluc I, Gross I, Freund JN, Domon-Dell C. Cdx2 homeoprotein inhibits non-homologous end joining in colon cancer but not in leukemia cells. Nucleic Acids Res 2011; 40:3456-69. [PMID: 22189105 PMCID: PMC3333856 DOI: 10.1093/nar/gkr1242] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Cdx2, a gene of the paraHox cluster, encodes a homeodomain transcription factor that plays numerous roles in embryonic development and in homeostasis of the adult intestine. Whereas Cdx2 exerts a tumor suppressor function in the gut, its abnormal ectopic expression in acute leukemia is associated to a pro-oncogenic function. To try to understand this duality, we have hypothesized that Cdx2 may interact with different protein partners in the two tissues and set up experiments to identify them by tandem affinity purification. We show here that Cdx2 interacts with the Ku heterodimer specifically in intestinal cells, but not in leukemia cells, via its homeodomain. Ku proteins do not affect Cdx2 transcriptional activity. However, Cdx2 inhibits in vivo and in vitro the DNA repair activity mediated by Ku proteins in intestinal cells. Whereas Cdx2 does not affect the recruitment of Ku proteins and DNA-PKcs into the DNA repair complex, it inhibits DNA-PKcs activity. Thus, we report here a new function of Cdx2, acting as an inhibitor of the DNA repair machinery, that may contribute to its tumor suppressor function specifically in the gut.
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Chen H, Fang Y, Tevebaugh W, Orlando RC, Shaheen NJ, Chen X. Molecular mechanisms of Barrett's esophagus. Dig Dis Sci 2011; 56:3405-20. [PMID: 21984436 PMCID: PMC3750118 DOI: 10.1007/s10620-011-1885-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/16/2011] [Accepted: 08/16/2011] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
Barrett's esophagus (BE) is defined as the metaplastic conversion of esophageal squamous epithelium to intestinalized columnar epithelium. As a premalignant lesion of esophageal adenocarcinoma (EAC), BE develops as a result of chronic gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD). Many studies have been conducted to understand the molecular mechanisms of this disease. This review summarizes recent results involving squamous and intestinal transcription factors, signaling pathways, stromal factors, microRNAs, and other factors in the development of BE. A conceptual framework is proposed to guide future studies. We expect elucidation of the molecular mechanisms of BE to help in the development of improved management of GERD, BE, and EAC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hao Chen
- Cancer Research Program, JLC-BBRI, North Carolina Central University, Durham, NC 27707, USA
| | - Yu Fang
- Cancer Research Program, JLC-BBRI, North Carolina Central University, Durham, NC 27707, USA
| | - Whitney Tevebaugh
- Cancer Research Program, JLC-BBRI, North Carolina Central University, Durham, NC 27707, USA
| | - Roy C. Orlando
- Center for Esophageal Diseases and Swallowing, University of North Carolina School of Medicine, Chapel Hill, NC 27599-7080, USA
| | - Nicholas J. Shaheen
- Center for Esophageal Diseases and Swallowing, University of North Carolina School of Medicine, Chapel Hill, NC 27599-7080, USA
| | - Xiaoxin Chen
- Cancer Research Program, JLC-BBRI, North Carolina Central University, Durham, NC 27707, USA,Center for Esophageal Diseases and Swallowing, University of North Carolina School of Medicine, Chapel Hill, NC 27599-7080, USA,Corresponding authors: Xiaoxin Luke Chen, MD, PhD, Cancer Research Program, Julius L. Chambers Biomedical Biotechnology Research Institute, North Carolina Central University, 700 George Street, Durham, NC 27707, USA. Tel: 919-530-6425; Fax: 919-530-7780;
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Coskun M, Olsen J, Seidelin JB, Nielsen OH. MAP kinases in inflammatory bowel disease. Clin Chim Acta 2011; 412:513-20. [DOI: 10.1016/j.cca.2010.12.020] [Citation(s) in RCA: 100] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/04/2010] [Revised: 12/16/2010] [Accepted: 12/17/2010] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
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30
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Laurent C, Svrcek M, Flejou JF, Chenard MP, Duclos B, Freund JN, Reimund JM. Immunohistochemical expression of CDX2, β-catenin, and TP53 in inflammatory bowel disease-associated colorectal cancer. Inflamm Bowel Dis 2011; 17:232-40. [PMID: 20815042 DOI: 10.1002/ibd.21451] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/05/2010] [Accepted: 07/07/2010] [Indexed: 12/23/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) exposes patients to an increased risk of colorectal cancer (i-CRC) and differences between i-CRC and sporadic colorectal cancer (s-CRC) pathogenesis were reported. In s-CRC, studies indicate abnormalities in the tumor-suppressor gene Cdx2. This study compared CDX2, β-catenin, and TP53 expression in i-CRC, s-CRC, noncancer IBD, and normal control colonic mucosa. METHODS Expression was investigated by immunohistochemistry in 10 normal, 20 s-CRC, 11 noncancer colonic IBD and 30 i-CRC samples, and in four samples of Crohn's disease (CD)-associated small bowel adenocarcinoma (i-SBA). RESULTS In normal and noncancer IBD samples, CDX2 was confined to the colonocytes nuclei. CDX2 expression was normal in 90% of i-CRC, regardless of tumor differentiation or inflammation intensity. By contrast, CDX2 expression was altered in 45% s-CRC, particularly at the front of invasion in undifferentiated tumors. β-Catenin was restricted to cell membrane in all controls, in 91% noncancer IBD, and in 84% i-CRC samples, whereas 35% s-CRC showed cytoplasmic redistribution and exclusive nuclear staining at the front of invasion. TP53 was strongly and homogeneously expressed in i-CRC nuclei compared to normal control or s-CRC, and increases with inflammation intensity. Nested or diffuse TP53 was found in 81.8% of noncancer IBD samples with a higher proportion of TP53-expressing cells in the most inflamed samples. CDX2, β-catenin, and TP53 expression in CD-associated SBA appears similar to that of i-CRC. Neither Cdx2 nor β-catenin alterations are prominent features of i-CRC. CONCLUSIONS In i-CRC and CD-associated SBA, carcinogenesis is associated early with p53 mutations and to inflammation intensity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Camille Laurent
- Département de Pathologie, Pôle de Biologie, Hôpitaux Universitaires de Strasbourg, Hôpital de Hautepierre, Strasbourg, France.
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The role of CDX2 in intestinal homeostasis and inflammation. Biochim Biophys Acta Mol Basis Dis 2010; 1812:283-9. [PMID: 21126581 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbadis.2010.11.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 63] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/23/2010] [Revised: 11/19/2010] [Accepted: 11/22/2010] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
Abstract
Many transcription factors are known to control transcription at several promoters, while others are only active at a few places. However, due to their importance in controlling cellular functions, aberrant transcription factor function and inappropriate gene regulation have been shown to play a causal role in a large number of diseases and developmental disorders. Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) is characterized by a chronically inflamed mucosa caused by dysregulation of the intestinal immune homeostasis. The aetiology of IBD is thought to be a combination of genetic and environmental factors, including luminal bacteria. The Caudal-related homeobox transcription factor 2 (CDX2) is critical in early intestinal differentiation and has been implicated as a master regulator of the intestinal homeostasis and permeability in adults. When expressed, CDX2 modulates a diverse set of processes including cell proliferation, differentiation, cell adhesion, migration, and tumorigenesis. In addition to these critical cellular processes, there is increasing evidence for linking CDX2 to intestinal inflammation. The aim of the present paper was to review the current knowledge of CDX2 in regulation of the intestinal homeostasis and further to reveal its potential role in inflammation.
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Hagman R, Rönnberg E, Pejler G. Canine uterine bacterial infection induces upregulation of proteolysis-related genes and downregulation of homeobox and zinc finger factors. PLoS One 2009; 4:e8039. [PMID: 19956711 PMCID: PMC2777310 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0008039] [Citation(s) in RCA: 39] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/20/2009] [Accepted: 11/02/2009] [Indexed: 01/23/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Bacterial infection with the severe complication of sepsis is a frequent and serious condition, being a major cause of death worldwide. To cope with the plethora of occurring bacterial infections there is therefore an urgent need to identify molecular mechanisms operating during the host response, in order both to identify potential targets for therapeutic intervention and to identify biomarkers for disease. Here we addressed this issue by studying global gene expression in uteri from female dogs suffering from spontaneously occurring uterine bacterial infection. PRINCIPAL FINDINGS The analysis showed that almost 800 genes were significantly (p<0.05) upregulated (>2-fold) in the uteri of diseased animals. Among these were numerous chemokine and cytokine genes, as well as genes associated with inflammatory cell extravasation, anti-bacterial action, the complement system and innate immune responses, as well as proteoglycan-associated genes. There was also a striking representation of genes associated with proteolysis. Robust upregulation of immunoglobulin components and genes involved in antigen presentation was also evident, indicating elaboration of a strong adaptive immune response. The bacterial infection was also associated with a significant downregulation of almost 700 genes, of which various homeobox and zinc finger transcription factors were highly represented. CONCLUSIONS/SIGNIFICANCE Together, these finding outline the molecular patterns involved in bacterial infection of the uterus. The study identified altered expression of numerous genes not previously implicated in bacterial disease, and several of these may be evaluated for potential as biomarkers of disease or as therapeutic targets. Importantly, since humans and dogs show genetic similarity and develop diseases that share many characteristics, the molecular events identified here are likely to reflect the corresponding situation in humans afflicted by similar disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ragnvi Hagman
- Division of Small Animals, Department of Clinical Sciences, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, Uppsala, Sweden
- * E-mail: (RH); (GP)
| | - Elin Rönnberg
- Department of Anatomy, Physiology and Biochemistry, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, Uppsala, Sweden
| | - Gunnar Pejler
- Department of Anatomy, Physiology and Biochemistry, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, Uppsala, Sweden
- * E-mail: (RH); (GP)
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Wang J, Qin R, Ma Y, Wu H, Peters H, Tyska M, Shaheen NJ, Chen X. Differential gene expression in normal esophagus and Barrett's esophagus. J Gastroenterol 2009; 44:897-911. [PMID: 19468668 PMCID: PMC3811010 DOI: 10.1007/s00535-009-0082-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 40] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/13/2009] [Accepted: 04/15/2009] [Indexed: 02/04/2023]
Abstract
PURPOSE As the premalignant lesion of human esophageal adenocarcinoma (EAC), Barrett's esophagus (BE) is characterized by intestinal metaplasia in the normal esophagus (NE). Gene expression profiling with microarray and serial analysis of gene expression (SAGE) may help us understand the potential molecular mechanism of human BE. METHODS We analyzed three microarray datasets (two cDNA arrays and one oligonucleotide array) and one SAGE dataset with statistical tools, significance analysis of microarrays (SAM) and SAGE(Poisson), to identify individual genes differentially expressed in BE. Gene set enrichment analysis (GSEA) was used to identify a priori defined sets of genes that were differentially expressed. These gene sets were grouped according to either certain signaling pathways (GSEA curated), or the presence of consensus binding sequences of known transcription factors (GSEA motif). Immunohistochemical staining (IHC) was used to validate differential gene expression. RESULTS Both SAM and SAGE(Poisson) identified 68 differentially expressed genes (55 BE genes and 13 NE genes) with an arbitrary cutoff ratio (> or =4-fold). With IHC on matched pairs of NE and BE tissues from 6 patients, these genes were grouped into 6 categories: category I (25 genes only expressed in BE), category II (5 genes only expressed in NE), category III (8 genes expressed more in BE than in NE), and category IV (2 genes expressed more in NE than in BE). Differential expression of the remaining genes was not confirmed by IHC either due to false discovery (category V), or lack of proper antibodies (category VI). Besides individual genes, the TGFbeta pathway and several transcription factors (CDX2, HNF1, and HNF4) were identified by GSEA as enriched pathways and motifs in BE. Apart from 9 target genes known to be up-regulated in BE, IHC staining confirmed up-regulation of 19 additional CDX1 and CDX2 target genes in BE. CONCLUSION Our data suggested an important role of CDX1 and CDX2 in the development of BE. The IHC-confirmed gene list will lead to future studies on the molecular mechanism of BE.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jacob Wang
- Cancer Research Program, Julius L. Chambers Biomedical/Biotechnology Research Institute, North Carolina Central University, 700 George Street, Durham, NC 27707
- Center for Gastrointestinal Biology and Disease, Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Department of Medicine, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC 27599
| | - Rong Qin
- Cancer Research Program, Julius L. Chambers Biomedical/Biotechnology Research Institute, North Carolina Central University, 700 George Street, Durham, NC 27707
| | - Yan Ma
- Cancer Research Program, Julius L. Chambers Biomedical/Biotechnology Research Institute, North Carolina Central University, 700 George Street, Durham, NC 27707
| | - Huiyun Wu
- Department of Biostatistics, Vanderbilt University School of Medicine, Vanderbilt-Ingram Cancer Center/Biostatistics Shared Resource, Nashville, TN 37232-2158
| | - Heiko Peters
- Institute of Human Genetics, International Centre for Life, University of Newcastle upon Tyne, Central Parkway, Newcastle upon Tyne, NE1 3BZ, UK
| | - Matthew Tyska
- Department of Cell and Developmental Biology, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, TN 37232
| | - Nicholas J. Shaheen
- Center for Gastrointestinal Biology and Disease, Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Department of Medicine, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC 27599
| | - Xiaoxin Chen
- Cancer Research Program, Julius L. Chambers Biomedical/Biotechnology Research Institute, North Carolina Central University, 700 George Street, Durham, NC 27707
- Center for Gastrointestinal Biology and Disease, Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Department of Medicine, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC 27599
- Correspondence: Cancer Research Program, Julius L. Chambers Biomedical/Biotechnology Research Institute, North Carolina Central University, 700 George Street, Durham, NC 27707. Tel: 919-530-6425; Fax: 919-530-7780;
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Flores MVC, Hall CJ, Davidson AJ, Singh PP, Mahagaonkar AA, Zon LI, Crosier KE, Crosier PS. Intestinal differentiation in zebrafish requires Cdx1b, a functional equivalent of mammalian Cdx2. Gastroenterology 2008; 135:1665-75. [PMID: 18804112 DOI: 10.1053/j.gastro.2008.07.024] [Citation(s) in RCA: 48] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/27/2007] [Revised: 07/09/2008] [Accepted: 07/17/2008] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND & AIMS The ParaHox transcription factor Cdx2 is an essential determinant of intestinal phenotype in mammals throughout development, influencing gut function, homeostasis, and epithelial barrier integrity. Cdx2 expression demarcates the zones of intestinal stem cell proliferation in the adult gut, with deregulated expression implicated in intestinal metaplasia and cancer. However, in vivo analysis of these prospective roles has been limited because inactivation of Cdx2 in mice leads to preimplantation embryonic lethality. We used the zebrafish, a valuable model for studying gut development, to generate a system to further understanding of the role of Cdx2 in normal intestinal function and in disease states. METHODS We isolated and characterized the zebrafish cdx1b ortholog and analyzed its function by antisense morpholino gene knockdown. RESULTS We showed that zebrafish Cdx1b replaces the role of Cdx2 in gut development. Evolutionary studies have indicated that the zebrafish cdx2 loci were lost following the genome-wide duplication event that occurred in teleosts. Zebrafish Cdx1b is expressed exclusively in the developing intestine during late embryogenesis and regulates intestinal cell proliferation and terminal differentiation. CONCLUSIONS This work established an in vivo system to explore further the activity of Cdx2 in the gut and its impact on processes such as inflammation and cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maria Vega C Flores
- Department of Molecular Medicine & Pathology, School of Medical Sciences, The University of Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand
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Maintenance of a normal thymic microenvironment and T-cell homeostasis require Smad4-mediated signaling in thymic epithelial cells. Blood 2008; 112:3688-95. [PMID: 18695001 DOI: 10.1182/blood-2008-04-150532] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Signals mediated by the transforming growth factor-beta superfamily of growth factors have been implicated in thymic epithelial cell (TEC) differentiation, homeostasis, and function, but a direct reliance on these signals has not been established. Here we demonstrate that a block in canonical transforming growth factor-beta signaling by the loss of Smad4 expression in TECs leads to qualitative changes in TEC function and a progressively disorganized thymic microenvironment. Moreover, the number of thymus resident early T-lineage progenitors is severely reduced in the absence of Smad4 expression in TECs and directly correlates with extensive thymic and peripheral lymphopenia. Our observations hence place Smad4 within the signaling events in TECs that determine total thymus cellularity by controlling the number of early T-lineage progenitors.
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