Gastroenterology
Abstract
Acute pancreatitis (AP) is a local and/or systemic inflammatory disease that starts with acinar cell injury and necrosis, which has no effective medical treatment and thus remains a life-threatening condition. Interleukin-37 (IL-37), a natural immunomodulator, has demonstrated an anti-inflammatory effect; however, the role of IL-37 in AP remains unknown. The serum IL-37 levels of 39 healthy controls and 94 AP patients were measured. Cholecystokinin was applied to induce pancreatic acinar cell injury in vitro. Classical experimental AP models, such as caerulein, L-arginine, and Taurocholic acid sodium salt were included in the in vivo study. A transgenic mouse model with the IL-37 gene and administration of recombinant IL-37 were used to further investigate the function of IL-37 in AP. Pancreas-specific GSDMD knockout mice were used to explore the protective mechanism of IL-37. Our results showed that serum IL-37 levels of human were negatively correlated with the severity of AP. Furthermore, transgenic IL-37 mice and supplementation with recombinant IL-37 could both protect against AP. Mechanistically, IL-37 was able to suppress pyroptosis of injured acinar cells, and specific depletion of GSDMD in the pancreas counteracted the protective effect of IL-37. Our study demonstrates that IL-37 protects against acinar cell pyroptosis in AP.
Authors
Nan Ma, Chenchen Yuan, Juanjuan Shi, Qingtian Zhu, Yang Liu, Xiaojie Ma, Baiqiang Li, Weijuan Gong, Jing Xue, Guotao Lu, Weiqin Li, Jieshou Li
Abstract
Although Barrett’s metaplasia of the esophagus (BE) is the only known precursor lesion to esophageal adenocarcinomas (EACs), drivers of cellular transformation in BE remain incompletely understood. We use an artificial intelligence–guided network approach to study EAC initiation and progression. Key predictions are subsequently validated in a human organoid model, in patient-derived biopsy specimens of BE, a case-control study of genomics of BE progression, and in a cross-sectional study of 113 patients with BE and EACs. Our model classified healthy esophagus from BE and BE from EACs in several publicly available gene expression data sets (n = 932 samples). The model confirmed that all EACs must originate from BE and pinpointed a CXCL8/IL8↔neutrophil immune microenvironment as a driver of cellular transformation in EACs and gastroesophageal junction adenocarcinomas. This driver is prominent in White individuals but is notably absent in African Americans (AAs). Network-derived gene signatures, independent signatures of neutrophil processes, CXCL8/IL8 expression, and an absolute neutrophil count (ANC) are associated with risk of progression. SNPs associated with changes in ANC by ethnicity (e.g., benign ethnic neutropenia [BEN]) modify that risk. Findings define a racially influenced immunological basis for cell transformation and suggest that BEN in AAs may be a deterrent to BE→EAC progression.
Authors
Pradipta Ghosh, Vinicius J. Campos, Daniella T. Vo, Caitlin Guccione, Vanae Goheen-Holland, Courtney Tindle, Guilherme S. Mazzini, Yudou He, Ludmil B. Alexandrov, Scott M. Lippman, Richard R. Gurski, Soumita Das, Rena Yadlapati, Kit Curtius, Debashis Sahoo
Abstract
High-fat diet (HFD) contributes to the increased incidence of colorectal cancer; but the mechanisms are unclear. We found that R-spondin 3 (Rspo3), a ligand for LGR4 and LGR5, was the major subtype and produced by myofibroblasts beneath the crypts in the intestine; HFD upregulated colonic Rspo3, LGR4, LGR5 and β-catenin gene expressions in specific pathogen free rodents, but not in germfree mice, and the upregulations were prevented by bile acids (BA) binder, cholestyramine (CHO) or antibiotic treatment, indicating mediating by both BA and gut microbiota. CHO or antibiotic treatments prevented HFD-induced enrichment of Lachnospiraceae and Rumincoccaceae, which are capable of transforming 10 into 20 BA. Oral administration of deoxycholic acid (DCA), or inoculation of a combination of BA deconjugator Lactobacillus plantarum and 7-α-dehydroxylase-containing Clostridium scindens with HFD to germfree mice increased colonic Rspo3 mRNA, indicating that formation of 20 BA by gut microbiota is responsible for HFD-induced upregulation of Rspo3. In primary myofibroblasts DCA increased Rpso3 mRNA via TGR5. Finally, we showed that CHO or conditional deletion of Rspo3 prevented HFD- or DCA- induced intestinal proliferation. We conclude that secondary BA is responsible for HFD-induced upregulation of Rspo3, which in turn mediates HFD-induced intestinal epithelial proliferation.
Authors
Ji-Yao Li, Merritt Gillilland III, Allen A. Lee, Xiaoyin Wu, Shi-Yi Zhou, Chung Owyang
Abstract
Metastatic pancreatic cancer (PDAC) has a poor clinical outcome with a 5-year survival rate below 3%. Recent transcriptome profiling of PDAC biopsies has identified 2 clinically distinct subtypes — the “basal-like” (BL) subtype with poor prognosis and therapy resistance compared with the less aggressive and drug-susceptible “classical” (CLA) subtype. However, the mechanistic events and environmental factors that promote the BL subtype identity are not very clear. Using preclinical models, patient-derived xenografts, and FACS-sorted PDAC patient biopsies, we report here that the axon guidance receptor, roundabout guidance receptor 3 (ROBO3), promotes the BL metastatic program via a potentially unique AXL/IL-6/phosphorylated STAT3 (p-STAT3) regulatory axis. RNA-Seq identified a ROBO3-mediated BL-specific gene program, while tyrosine kinase profiling revealed AXL as the key mediator of the p-STAT3 activation. CRISPR/dCas9-based ROBO3 silencing disrupted the AXL/p-STAT3 signaling axis, thereby halting metastasis and enhancing therapy sensitivity. Transcriptome analysis of resected patient tumors revealed that AXLhi neoplastic cells associated with the inflammatory stromal program. Combining AXL inhibitor and chemotherapy substantially restored a CLA phenotypic state and reduced disease aggressiveness. Thus, we conclude that a ROBO3-driven hierarchical network determines the inflammatory and prometastatic programs in a specific PDAC subtype.
Authors
Niklas Krebs, Lukas Klein, Florian Wegwitz, Elisa Espinet, Hans Carlo Maurer, Mengyu Tu, Frederike Penz, Stefan Küffer, Xingbo Xu, Hanibal Bohnenberger, Silke Cameron, Marius Brunner, Albrecht Neesse, Uday Kishore, Elisabeth Hessmann, Andreas Trumpp, Philipp Ströbel, Rolf A. Brekken, Volker Ellenrieder, Shiv K. Singh
Abstract
Identification of molecular subtypes that reflect different prognoses and treatment responses, especially immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) in esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC), is essential for treatment decisions. We performed targeted sequencing in 201 patients with ESCC to discover genetic subtypes and validate our findings via multiple data sets. We identified 3 driver genes (FCGBP, GRIN2B, and FRY), and recurrent truncating mutations in FRY impaired its tumor-suppressive function and promoted tumor proliferation. A 3-gene mutation signature (FAT1, FAT3, and FRY) recognized a molecular subtype named “FAT/FRY” with frequent Hippo pathway–related mutations. In multiple ESCC cohorts, the patients with the FAT/FRY subtype had poorer prognosis than did patients in the WT group. Transcriptome analysis indicated that the FAT/FRY subtype was characterized by inactivation of the Hippo pathway, hypoxia, chemoresistance, higher infiltration of CD8+ T cells and activated DCs, and a transcriptome similar to that of cancer responders. Furthermore, the 3-gene signature predicted better survival for patients treated with ICIs, partially explained by its positive correlation with the tumor mutation burden and neoantigen burden. The 3-gene signature is a biomarker to recognize the FAT/FRY molecular subtype, evaluate prognosis, and select potential beneficiaries of ICIs in ESCC.
Authors
Zihang Mai, Jianye Yuan, Hong Yang, Shuogui Fang, Xiuying Xie, Xinye Wang, Jiaxin Xie, Jing Wen, Jianhua Fu
Abstract
Junctional adhesion molecule-A (JAM-A) is expressed in several cell types including epithelial and endothelial cells as well as some leukocytes. In intestinal epithelial cells (IEC), JAM-A localizes to cell junctions and plays a role in regulating barrier function. In vitro studies with model cell lines have shown that JAM-A contributes to IEC migration, however in vivo studies investigating the role of JAM-A in cell migration-dependent processes such as mucosal wound repair have not been performed. In this study, we developed an inducible intestinal epithelial-specific JAM-A knockdown mouse model (Jam-aER-ΔIEC). While acute induction of IEC-specific loss of JAM-A did not result in spontaneous colitis, such mice had significantly impaired mucosal healing after chemically induced colitis and after biopsy colonic wounding. In vitro primary cultures of JAM-A deficient IEC demonstrated impaired migration in wound healing assays. Mechanistic studies revealed that JAM-A stabilizes formation of protein signaling complexes containing Rap1A/Talin/β1-integrin at focal adhesions of migrating IECs. Loss of JAM-A in primary IEC led to decreased Rap1A activity and protein levels of Talin and β1-integrin and a reduction in focal adhesion structures. These findings suggest that epithelial JAM-A plays a critical role in controlling mucosal repair in vivo through dynamic regulation of focal adhesions
Authors
Shuling Fan, Kevin Boerner, Chithra K. Muraleedharan, Asma Nusrat, Miguel Quiros, Charles A. Parkos
Abstract
Long non-coding RNA (lncRNA) plays a crucial role in the pathogenesis of various diseases, including colorectal cancer (CRC). The gene mutations of Adenomatous polyposis coli (APC) were found in most colorectal cancer patients. They are functioned as an important inducer of tumorigenesis. Based on our microarray results, we identified a specific upregulated lncRNA in colorectal cancer (SURC). Further analysis showed that high SURC expression correlated with poorer disease-free survival and overall survival in patients with colorectal cancer. Besides, we found that mutated APC genes can promote the transcription of SURC by reducing the degradation of β-catenin protein in colorectal cancer. Functional assays revealed that knockdown of SURC impaired CRC cell proliferation, colony formation, cell cycle and tumor growth. Additionally, SURC can promote CCND2 expression by inhibiting the expression of miR-185-5p in CRC cells. In conclusion, we demonstrate that SURC is a specific upregulated lncRNA in CRC and the SURC/miR-185-5p/CCND2 axis may be targetable for CRC diagnosis and therapy.
Authors
Junshu Li, Yanhong Ji, Na Chen, Huiling Wang, Chao Fang, Xiaonan Yin, Zhiyuan Jiang, Zhexu Dong, Dan Zhu, Jiamei Fu, Wencheng Zhou, Ruiyi Jiang, Ling He, Zhang Hantao, Gang Shi, Lin Cheng, Xiaolan Su, Lei Dai, Hongxin Deng
Abstract
Macrophages play a crucial role in the inflammatory response to the human stomach pathogen Helicobacter pylori, which infects half of the world’s population and causes gastric cancer. Recent studies have highlighted the importance of macrophage immunometabolism in their activation state and function. We have demonstrated that the cysteine-producing enzyme, cystathionine g-lyase (CTH), is upregulated in humans and mice with H. pylori infection. Here we show that induction of CTH in macrophages by H. pylori promotes persistent inflammation. Cth–/– mice have reduced macrophage and T-cell activation in H. pylori-infected tissues, an altered metabolome, and decreased enrichment of immune-associated gene networks, culminating in decreased H. pylori-induced-gastritis. CTH is downstream of the proposed anti-inflammatory molecule, S-adenosylmethionine (SAM). While Cth–/– mice exhibit gastric SAM accumulation, WT mice treated with SAM did not display protection against H. pylori-induced inflammation. Instead, we demonstrate that Cth-deficient macrophages exhibit alterations in the proteome, decreased NF-kB activation, diminished expression of macrophage activation markers, and impaired oxidative phosphorylation and glycolysis. Thus, through altering cellular respiration, CTH is a key enhancer of macrophage activation contributing to a pathogenic inflammatory response that is the universal precursor for the development of H. pylori-induced gastric disease.
Authors
Yvonne L. Latour, Johanna C. Sierra, Jordan L. Finley, Mohammad Asim, Daniel P. Barry, Margaret M. Allaman, Thaddeus M. Smith, Kara M. McNamara, Paula B. Luis, Claus Schneider, Justin Jacobse, Jeremy A. Goettel, M. Wade Calcutt, Kristie L. Rose, Kevin L Schey, Ginger L. Milne, Alberto G. Delgado, M. Blanca Piazuelo, Bindu D. Paul, Solomon Snyder, Alain P. Gobert, Keith T. Wilson
Abstract
Faecalibacterium prausnitzii (F. prausnitzii), a dominant bacterium of the human microbiota, is decreased in patients with inflammatory bowel diseases (IBD) and exhibits anti-inflammatory effects. In human, colonic lamina propria contains IL-10-secreting, Foxp3-negative regulatory T cells (Treg) characterized by a double expression of CD4 and CD8α (DP8α) and a specificity for F. prausnitzii. This Treg subset is decreased in IBD. The in vivo effect of DP8α cells has not been evaluated yet. Here, using a humanized model of NOD.Prkcscid IL2rγ-/- (NSG) immunodeficient mouse strain that expresses the human leucocyte antigen D-related allele HLA-DR*0401 but not murine class II (NSG-Ab° DR4) molecules, we demonstrated a protective effect of a HLA-DR*0401-restricted DP8α Treg clone combined with F. prausnitzii administration in a colitis model. In a cohort of patients with IBD, we showed an independent association between the frequency of circulating DP8α cells and disease activity. Finally, we pointed out a positive correlation between F. prausnitzii-specific DP8α Tregs and the amount of F. prausnitzii in fecal microbiota in healthy individuals and patients with ileal Crohn’s disease.
Authors
Sothea Touch, Emmanuelle Godefroy, Nathalie Rolhion, Camille Danne, Cyriane Oeuvray, Marjolène Straube, Chloé Galbert, Loïc Brot, Iria Alonso Salgueiro, Sead Chadi, Tatiana Ledent, Jean-Marc Chatel, Philippe Langella, Francine Jotereau, Frédéric Altare, Harry Sokol
Abstract
Aberrant epithelial differentiation and regeneration contribute to colon pathologies including inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) and colitis-associated cancer (CAC). MTG16 (CBFA2T3) is a transcriptional corepressor expressed in the colonic epithelium. MTG16 deficiency in mice exacerbates colitis and increases tumor burden in CAC, though the underlying mechanisms remain unclear. Here, we identified MTG16 as a central mediator of epithelial differentiation, promoting goblet and restraining enteroendocrine cell development in homeostasis and enabling regeneration following dextran sulfate sodium (DSS)-induced colitis. Transcriptomic analyses implicated increased E box-binding transcription factor (E protein) activity in MTG16-deficient colon crypts. Using a novel mouse model with a point mutation that attenuates MTG16:E protein interactions (Mtg16P209T), we established that MTG16 exerts control over colonic epithelial differentiation and regeneration by repressing E protein-mediated transcription. Mimicking murine colitis, MTG16 expression was increased in biopsies from patients with active IBD compared to unaffected controls. Finally, uncoupling MTG16:E protein interactions partially phenocopied the enhanced tumorigenicity of Mtg16-/- colon in the azoxymethane(AOM)/DSS-induced model of CAC, indicating that MTG16 protects from tumorigenesis through additional mechanisms. Collectively, our results demonstrate that MTG16, via its repression of E protein targets, is a key regulator of cell fate decisions during colon homeostasis, colitis, and cancer.
Authors
Rachel E. Brown, Justin Jacobse, Shruti A. Anant, Koral M. Blunt, Bob Chen, Paige N. Vega, Chase T. Jones, Jennifer M. Pilat, Frank Revetta, Aidan H. Gorby, Kristy R. Stengel, Yash A. Choksi, Kimmo Palin, M. Blanca Piazuelo, Mary K. Washington, Ken S. Lau, Jeremy A. Goettel, Scott W. Hiebert, Sarah P. Short, Christopher S. Williams
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