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Duraisamy K, Kumar M, Nawabjan A, Lo EKK, Hui Lin M, Lefranc B, Bonnafé E, Treilhou M, El-Nezami H, Leprince J, Chow BKC. MRGPRB2/X2 and the analogous effects of its agonist and antagonist in DSS-induced colitis in mice. Biomed Pharmacother 2024; 174:116471. [PMID: 38547764 DOI: 10.1016/j.biopha.2024.116471] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/23/2023] [Revised: 03/08/2024] [Accepted: 03/18/2024] [Indexed: 05/01/2024] Open
Abstract
The mast cell receptor Mrgprb2, a mouse orthologue of human Mrgprx2, is known as an inflammatory receptor and its elevated expression is associated with various diseases such as ulcerative colitis. We aimed to elucidate the role of Mrgprb2/x2 and the effect of its ligands on a chemically induced murine colitis model. We showed that in Mrgprb2-/- mice, there is a differential regulation of cytokine releases in the blood plasma and severe colonic damages after DSS treatment. Unexpectedly, we demonstrated that known Mrgprb2/x2 agonists (peptide P17, P17 analogues and CST-14) and antagonist (GE1111) similarly increased the survival rate of WT mice subjected to 4% DSS-induced colitis, ameliorated the colonic damages of 2.5% DSS-induced colitis, restored major protein mRNA expression involved in colon integrity, reduced CD68+ and F4/80+ immune cell infiltration and restored cytokine levels. Collectively, our findings highlight the eminent role of Mrpgrb2/x2 in conferring a beneficial effect in the colitis model, and this significance is demonstrated by the heightened severity of colitis with altered cytokine releases and inflammatory immune cell infiltration observed in the Mrgprb2 knockout mice. Elevated expression of Mrgprb2 in WT colitis murine models may represent the organism's adaptive protective mechanism since Mrgprb2 knockout results in severe colitis. On the other hand, both agonist and antagonist of Mrgprb2 analogously mitigated the severity of colitis in DSS-induced colitis model by altering Mrgprb2 expression, immune cell infiltration and inflammatory cytokine releases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Karthi Duraisamy
- School of Biological Sciences, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China; INSERM U1239 NorDiC, PRIMACEN, Université Rouen Normandie, Rouen, France
| | - Mukesh Kumar
- School of Biological Sciences, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China
| | - Abdullah Nawabjan
- School of Biological Sciences, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China
| | - Emily Kwun Kwan Lo
- School of Biological Sciences, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China
| | - Ming Hui Lin
- School of Biological Sciences, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China
| | - Benjamin Lefranc
- INSERM U1239 NorDiC, PRIMACEN, Université Rouen Normandie, Rouen, France
| | - Elsa Bonnafé
- EA7417 BTSB, Université Fédérale Toulouse Midi-Pyrénées, INU Champollion, Albi, France
| | - Michel Treilhou
- EA7417 BTSB, Université Fédérale Toulouse Midi-Pyrénées, INU Champollion, Albi, France
| | - Hani El-Nezami
- School of Biological Sciences, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China; Institute of Public Health and Clinical Nutrition, University of Eastern Finland, Kuopio, Finland
| | - Jérôme Leprince
- INSERM U1239 NorDiC, PRIMACEN, Université Rouen Normandie, Rouen, France.
| | - Billy K C Chow
- School of Biological Sciences, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China.
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Zhang F, Lo EKK, Chen J, Wang K, Felicianna, Ismaiah MJ, Leung HKM, Zhao D, Lee JCY, El-Nezami H. Probiotic Mixture Ameliorates a Diet-Induced MASLD/MASH Murine Model through the Regulation of Hepatic Lipid Metabolism and the Gut Microbiome. J Agric Food Chem 2024; 72:8536-8549. [PMID: 38575146 PMCID: PMC11037262 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jafc.3c08910] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/28/2023] [Revised: 03/14/2024] [Accepted: 03/15/2024] [Indexed: 04/06/2024]
Abstract
Metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD) is a prevalent metabolic disease that has no effective treatment. Our proprietary probiotic mixture, Prohep, has been proven in a previous study to be helpful in reducing hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) in vivo. However, its prospective benefits on the treatment of other liver diseases such as MASLD, which is one of the major risk factors in the development of HCC, are unclear. To investigate the potential of Prohep in modulating the development and progression of MASLD, we first explored the effect of Prohep supplementation via voluntary intake in a high-fat diet (HFD)-induced MASLD/metabolic dysfunction-associated steatohepatitis (MASH) murine model. Our results indicated that Prohep alleviated HFD-induced liver steatosis and reduced excessive hepatic lipid accumulation and improved the plasma lipid profile when compared with HFD-fed control mice through suppressing hepatic de novo lipogenesis and cholesterol biosynthesis gene expressions. In addition, Prohep was able to modulate the gut microbiome, modify the bile acid (BA) profile, and elevate fecal short-chain fatty acid (SCFA) levels. Next, in a prolonged HFD-feeding MASLD/MASH model, we observed the effectiveness of Prohep in preventing the transition from MASLD to MASH via amelioration in hepatic steatosis, inflammation, and fibrosis. Taken together, Prohep could ameliorate HFD-induced MASLD and control the MASLD-to-MASH progression in mice. Our findings provide distinctive insights into the development of novel microbial therapy for the management of MASLD and MASH.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fangfei Zhang
- School
of Biological Sciences, University of Hong
Kong, Pokfulam, Hong Kong 000, S.A.R., China
| | - Emily Kwun Kwan Lo
- School
of Biological Sciences, University of Hong
Kong, Pokfulam, Hong Kong 000, S.A.R., China
| | - Jiarui Chen
- State
Key Laboratory of Pharmaceutical Biotechnology, The University of Hong Kong, Hong
Kong 000, S.A.R., China
- Department
of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong 000, S.A.R., China
- Leibniz
Institute for Natural Product Research and Infection Biology, Hans
Knöll Institute-Microbiome Dynamics, Jena D-07745, Germany
| | - Ke Wang
- Department
of Food Science and Nutrition, The Hong
Kong Polytechnic University, Hong
Kong 000, S.A.R., China
- Research
Institute for Future Food, The Hong Kong
Polytechnic University, Hong Kong 000, S.A.R., China
| | - Felicianna
- School
of Biological Sciences, University of Hong
Kong, Pokfulam, Hong Kong 000, S.A.R., China
| | - Marsena Jasiel Ismaiah
- School
of Biological Sciences, University of Hong
Kong, Pokfulam, Hong Kong 000, S.A.R., China
| | - Hoi Kit Matthew Leung
- School
of Biological Sciences, University of Hong
Kong, Pokfulam, Hong Kong 000, S.A.R., China
| | - Danyue Zhao
- Department
of Food Science and Nutrition, The Hong
Kong Polytechnic University, Hong
Kong 000, S.A.R., China
- Research
Institute for Future Food, The Hong Kong
Polytechnic University, Hong Kong 000, S.A.R., China
| | - Jetty Chung-Yung Lee
- School
of Biological Sciences, University of Hong
Kong, Pokfulam, Hong Kong 000, S.A.R., China
| | - Hani El-Nezami
- School
of Biological Sciences, University of Hong
Kong, Pokfulam, Hong Kong 000, S.A.R., China
- Institute
of Public Health and Clinical Nutrition, School of Medicine, University of Eastern Finland, Kuopio FI-70211, Finland
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Leung HKM, Lo EKK, Chen C, Zhang F, Ismaiah MJ, El-Nezami H. Zearalenone attenuates colitis associated colorectal tumorigenesis through Ras/Raf/ERK pathway suppression and SCFA-producing bacteria promotion. Biomed Pharmacother 2023; 164:114973. [PMID: 37269808 DOI: 10.1016/j.biopha.2023.114973] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/16/2023] [Revised: 05/23/2023] [Accepted: 05/30/2023] [Indexed: 06/05/2023] Open
Abstract
The high prevalence of colorectal cancer (CRC) and its leading death causing rate have placed a considerable burden on patients and healthcare providers. There is a need for a therapy that has fewer adverse effects and greater efficiency. Zearalenone (ZEA), an estrogenic mycotoxin, has been demonstrated to exert apoptotic properties when administrated in higher doses. However, it is unclear whether such apoptotic effect remains valid in an in vivo setting. The current study aimed to investigate the effect of ZEA on CRC and its underlying mechanisms in the azoxymethane/ dextran sodium sulfate (AOM/DSS) model. Our results revealed that ZEA significantly lowered the total number of tumours, colon weight, colonic crypt depth, collagen fibrosis and spleen weight. ZEA suppressed Ras/Raf/ERK/cyclin D1 pathway, increasing the expression of apoptosis parker, cleaved caspase 3, while decreasing the expression of proliferative marker, Ki67 and cyclin D1. The gut microbiota composition in ZEA group showed higher stability and lower vulnerability in the microbial community when compared to AOM/DSS group. ZEA increased the abundance of short chain fatty acids (SCFAs) producing bacteria unidentified Ruminococcaceae, Parabacteroidies and Blautia, as well as the faecal acetate content. Notably, unidentified Ruminococcaceae and Parabacteroidies were substantially correlated with the decrease in tumour count. Overall, ZEA demonstrated a promising inhibitory effect on colorectal tumorigenesis and exhibited the potential for further development as a CRC treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hoi Kit Matthew Leung
- School of Biological Sciences, University of Hong Kong, Pokfulam 999077, Hong Kong, China
| | - Emily Kwun Kwan Lo
- School of Biological Sciences, University of Hong Kong, Pokfulam 999077, Hong Kong, China.
| | - Congjia Chen
- School of Biological Sciences, University of Hong Kong, Pokfulam 999077, Hong Kong, China
| | - Fangfei Zhang
- School of Biological Sciences, University of Hong Kong, Pokfulam 999077, Hong Kong, China
| | - Marsena Jasiel Ismaiah
- School of Biological Sciences, University of Hong Kong, Pokfulam 999077, Hong Kong, China
| | - Hani El-Nezami
- School of Biological Sciences, University of Hong Kong, Pokfulam 999077, Hong Kong, China; Institute of Public Health and Clinical Nutrition, School of Medicine, University of Eastern Finland, FI-70211 Kuopio, Finland
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Lo EKK, Wang X, Lee PK, Wong HC, Lee JCY, Gómez-Gallego C, Zhao D, El-Nezami H, Li J. Mechanistic insights into zearalenone-accelerated colorectal cancer in mice using integrative multi-omics approaches. Comput Struct Biotechnol J 2023; 21:1785-1796. [PMID: 36915382 PMCID: PMC10006464 DOI: 10.1016/j.csbj.2023.02.048] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/25/2022] [Revised: 02/24/2023] [Accepted: 02/24/2023] [Indexed: 03/04/2023] Open
Abstract
Zearalenone (ZEA), a secondary metabolite of Fusarium fungi found in cereal-based foods, promotes the growth of colon, breast, and prostate cancer cells in vitro. However, the lack of animal studies hinders a deeper mechanistic understanding of the cancer-promoting effects of ZEA. This study aimed to determine the effect of ZEA on colon cancer progression and its underlying mechanisms. Through integrative analyses of transcriptomics, metabolomics, metagenomics, and host phenotypes, we investigated the impact of a 4-week ZEA intervention on colorectal cancer in xenograft mice. Our results showed a twofold increase in tumor weight with the 4-week ZEA intervention. ZEA exposure significantly increased the mRNA and protein levels of BEST4, DGKB, and Ki67 and the phosphorylation levels of ERK1/2 and AKT. Serum metabolomic analysis revealed that the levels of amino acids, including histidine, arginine, citrulline, and glycine, decreased significantly in the ZEA group. Furthermore, ZEA lowered the alpha diversity of the gut microbiota and reduced the abundance of nine genera, including Tuzzerella and Rikenella. Further association analysis indicated that Tuzzerella was negatively associated with the expression of BEST4 and DGKB genes, serum uric acid levels, and tumor weight. Additionally, circulatory hippuric acid levels positively correlated with tumor weight and the expression of oncogenic genes, including ROBO3, JAK3, and BEST4. Altogether, our results indicated that ZEA promotes colon cancer progression by enhancing the BEST4/AKT/ERK1/2 pathway, lowering circulatory amino acid concentrations, altering gut microbiota composition, and suppressing short chain fatty acids production.
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Affiliation(s)
- Emily Kwun Kwan Lo
- School of Biological Sciences, University of Hong Kong, Pokfulam 999077, Hong Kong, China
| | - Xiuwan Wang
- Department of Infectious Diseases and Public Health, Jockey Club College of Veterinary Medicine and Life Sciences, City University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China
| | - Pui-Kei Lee
- Department of Applied Biology and Chemical Technology, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Hong Kong, China
| | - Ho-Ching Wong
- Department of Applied Biology and Chemical Technology, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Hong Kong, China
| | - Jetty Chung-Yung Lee
- School of Biological Sciences, University of Hong Kong, Pokfulam 999077, Hong Kong, China
| | - Carlos Gómez-Gallego
- Institute of Public Health and Clinical Nutrition, School of Medicine, University of Eastern Finland, FI-70211 Kuopio, Finland
| | - Danyue Zhao
- Department of Applied Biology and Chemical Technology, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Hong Kong, China.,Research Institute for Future Food, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Hong Kong, China.,Department of Food Science and Nutrition, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Hong Kong, China
| | - Hani El-Nezami
- School of Biological Sciences, University of Hong Kong, Pokfulam 999077, Hong Kong, China.,Institute of Public Health and Clinical Nutrition, School of Medicine, University of Eastern Finland, FI-70211 Kuopio, Finland
| | - Jun Li
- Department of Infectious Diseases and Public Health, Jockey Club College of Veterinary Medicine and Life Sciences, City University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China.,School of Data Science, City University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China
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Xu J, Zhan Q, Fan Y, Lo EKK, Zhang F, Yu Y, El-Nezami H, Zeng Z. Clinical Aspects of Gut Microbiota in Hepatocellular Carcinoma Management. Pathogens 2021; 10:pathogens10070782. [PMID: 34206200 PMCID: PMC8308793 DOI: 10.3390/pathogens10070782] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/02/2021] [Revised: 06/13/2021] [Accepted: 06/18/2021] [Indexed: 01/02/2023] Open
Abstract
Liver cancer, predominantly hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), is the third leading cause of cancer-related deaths worldwide. Emerging data highlight the importance of gut homeostasis in the pathogenesis of HCC. Clinical and translational studies revealed the patterns of dysbiosis in HCC patients and their potential role for HCC diagnosis. Research on underlying mechanisms of dysbiosis in HCC development pointed out the direction for improving the treatment and prevention. Despite missing clinical studies, animal models showed that modulation of the gut microbiota by probiotics may become a new way to treat or prevent HCC development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jinghang Xu
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Peking University First Hospital, Peking University, Beijing 100034, China; (J.X.); (Q.Z.); (Y.F.); (Y.Y.)
| | - Qiao Zhan
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Peking University First Hospital, Peking University, Beijing 100034, China; (J.X.); (Q.Z.); (Y.F.); (Y.Y.)
| | - Yanan Fan
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Peking University First Hospital, Peking University, Beijing 100034, China; (J.X.); (Q.Z.); (Y.F.); (Y.Y.)
| | - Emily Kwun Kwan Lo
- School of Biological Sciences, University of Hong Kong, Pokfulam 999077, Hong Kong, China; (E.K.K.L.); (F.Z.)
| | - Fangfei Zhang
- School of Biological Sciences, University of Hong Kong, Pokfulam 999077, Hong Kong, China; (E.K.K.L.); (F.Z.)
| | - Yanyan Yu
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Peking University First Hospital, Peking University, Beijing 100034, China; (J.X.); (Q.Z.); (Y.F.); (Y.Y.)
| | - Hani El-Nezami
- School of Biological Sciences, University of Hong Kong, Pokfulam 999077, Hong Kong, China; (E.K.K.L.); (F.Z.)
- Institute of Public Health and Clinical Nutrition, School of Medicine, University of Eastern Finland, FI-70211 Kuopio, Finland
- Correspondence: (H.E.-N.); (Z.Z.)
| | - Zheng Zeng
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Peking University First Hospital, Peking University, Beijing 100034, China; (J.X.); (Q.Z.); (Y.F.); (Y.Y.)
- Correspondence: (H.E.-N.); (Z.Z.)
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