CXCL8 chemokine in ulcerative colitis

Integrated network pharmacology and bioinformatics to identify therapeutic targets and molecular mechanisms of Huangkui Lianchang Decoction for ulcerative colitis treatment

BACKGROUND

Huangkui Lianchang Decoction (HLD) is a traditional Chinese herbal formula for treating ulcerative colitis (UC). However, its mechanism of action remains poorly understood. The Study aims to validate the therapeutic effect of HLD on UC and its mechanism by integrating network pharmacology, bioinformatics, and experimental validation.

METHODS

UC targets were collected by databases and GSE19101. The active ingredients in HLD were detected by ultra-performance liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry. PubChem collected targets of active ingredients. Protein-protein interaction (PPI) networks were established with UC-related targets. Gene Ontology and Kyoto Encyclopedia (KEGG) of Genes and Genomes enrichment were analyzed for the mechanism of HLD treatment of UC and validated by the signaling pathways of HLD. Effects of HLD on UC were verified using dextran sulfate sodium (DDS)-induced UC mice experiments.

RESULTS

A total of 1883 UC-related targets were obtained from the GSE10191 dataset, 1589 from the database, and 1313 matching HLD-related targets, for a total of 94 key targets. Combined with PPI, GO, and KEGG network analyses, the signaling pathways were enriched to obtain IL-17, Toll-like receptor, NF-κB, and tumor necrosis factor signaling pathways. In animal experiments, HLD improved the inflammatory response of UC and reduced UC-induced pro-inflammatory factors such as Tumor Necrosis Factor Alpha (TNF-α), interleukin 1β (IL-1β), and interleukin 6 (IL-6). HLD suppressed proteins TLR4, MyD88, and NF-κB expression.

CONCLUSIONS

This study systematically dissected the molecular mechanism of HLD for the treatment of UC using a network pharmacology approach. Further animal verification experiments revealed that HLD inhibited inflammatory responses and improved intestinal barrier function through the TLR4/MyD88/NF-κB pathway.

Sinomenine hydrochloride improves DSS-induced colitis in mice through inhibition of the TLR2/NF-κB signaling pathway

BACKGROUND

Sinomenine hydrochloride (SH) has anti-inflammatory and immunosuppressive effects, and its effectiveness in inflammatory diseases, such as rheumatoid arthritis, has been demonstrated. However, whether SH has a therapeutic effect on dextran sodium sulfate (DSS)-induced ulcerative colitis (UC) in mice and its mechanism of action have not been clarified. This study aimed to investigate the therapeutic effects and mechanism of action of SH on UC.

METHODS

Twenty-four mice were randomly divided into control, model, SH low-dose (SH-L, 20mg/kg), and SH high-dose (SH-H, 60mg/kg) groups with six mice in each group. Disease activity index (DAI), colonic mucosal damage index, and colonic histopathology scores were calculated. The expression levels of related proteins, genes, and downstream inflammatory factors in the Toll-like receptor 2/NF-κB (TLR2/NF-κB) signaling pathway were quantified.

RESULTS

SH inhibited weight loss, decreased DAI and histopathological scores, decreased the expression levels of TLR2, MyD88, P-P65, P65 proteins, and TLR2 genes, and also suppressed the expression of inflammatory factors TNF-α, IL-1 β, and IL-6 in the peripheral blood of mice.

CONCLUSION

The therapeutic effect of SH on DSS-induced UC in mice may be related to the inhibition of the TLR2/NF-κB signaling pathway.

Hinesol attenuates DSS-induced ulcerative colitis through the suppression of Src-mediated NF-κB and chemokine signaling pathway

As a common inflammatory bowel disease, ulcerative colitis (UC) is featured with inflammation, oxidative damage, and the impairment of intestinal mucosal barrier, which bring threat to patients' quality of live. Hinesol, derived from Atractylodes lancea, is a unique sesquiterpenoid. Our study proposed to survey the effects and mechanism of hinesol in UC. UC mouse model was constructed using dextran sulfate sodium (DSS). Lipopolysaccharide (LPS) was applied for RAW264.7 cells stimulation to construct cell inflammatory model. The changes of disease activity index (DAI), body weight, colon length, and intestinal pathology in mice were analyzed to estimate the severity of colitis. Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay was applied to check the changes of interleukin (IL)-1β, IL-18, IL-6, and tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α. The levels of myeloperoxidase (MPO), superoxide dismutase (SOD), glutathione peroxidase (GSH-px), catalase (CAT), and malondialdehyde (MDA) were estimated by corresponding reagent kit. The changes of phosphorylated (p)-NF-κB P65, and p-IκBα, ZO-1, Occludin, Claudin-1, Src, XCL1, CCL2, and CXCL16 protein were examined using western blot. Flow cytometry and cell counting kit-8 assay were utilized for assessment of cell apoptosis and viability. We found that DSS reduced mice body weight, increased DAI, shorten colon length, and led to severe enteric mucosal injury, while hinesol improved the above symptoms induced by DSS. In DSS mice, hinesol raised the levels of ZO-1, Occludin, Claudin-1, SOD, GSH-px, and CAT and decreased the levels of TNF-α, IL-18, IL-1β, IL-6, MPO, and MDA. Additionally, in DSS mice and LPS-stimulated RAW264.7 cells, hinesol inhibited the high expression of Src, XCL1, CCL2, CXCL16, p-NF-κB P65, and p-IκBα. The molecular docking showed that there was a good interaction between hinesol and Src. Moreover, in LPS-stimulated RAW 264.7 cells, Src overexpression partially reversed the inhibition of hinesol on cell apoptosis, pro-inflammatory factors, and oxidative stress. In conclusion, hinesol alleviated DSS-induced colitis, which might have a bearing on the inhibition of Src-mediated NF-κB and chemokine signaling pathway.

Identification of subclusters and prognostic genes based on GLS-associated molecular signature in ulcerative colitis

Ulcerative colitis (UC) is a chronic and recurrent inflammatory disease that affects the colon and rectum. The response to treatment varies among individuals with UC. Therefore, the aim of this study was to identify and explore potential biomarkers for different subtypes of UC and examine their association with immune cell infiltration. We obtained UC RNA sequencing data from the GEO database, which included the training set GSE92415 and the validation set GSE87473 and GSE72514. UC patients were classified based on GLS and its associated genes using consensus clustering analysis. We identified differentially expressed genes (DEGs) in different UC subtypes through a differential expression analysis of the training cohort. Machine learning algorithms, including Weighted Gene Co-Expression Network Analysis (WGCNA), Least Absolute Shrinkage and Selection Operator (LASSO), and Support Vector Machine Recursive Feature Elimination (SVM-RFE), were utilized to identify marker genes for UC. The CIBERSORT algorithm was used to determine the abundance of various immune cells in UC and their correlation with UC signature genes. Finally, we validated the expression of GLS through in vivo and ex vivo experiments. The expression of GLS was found to be elevated in patients with UC compared to normal patients. GLS and its related genes were able to classify UC patients into two subtypes, C1 and C2. The C1 subtype, as compared to the C2 subtype, showed a higher Mayo score and poorer treatment response. A total of 18 DEGs were identified in both subtypes, including 7 up-regulated and 11 down-regulated genes. Four UC signature genes (CWH43, HEPACAM2, IL24, and PCK1) were identified and their diagnostic value was validated in a separate cohort (AUC > 0.85). Furthermore, we found that UC signature biomarkers were linked to the immune cell infiltration. CWH43, HEPACAM2, IL24, and PCK1 may serve as potential biomarkers for diagnosing different subtypes of UC, which could contribute to the development of targeted molecular therapy and immunotherapy for UC.

The Imperative for Innovative Enteric Nervous System-Intestinal Organoid Co-Culture Models: Transforming GI Disease Modeling and Treatment

This review addresses the need for innovative co-culture systems integrating the enteric nervous system (ENS) with intestinal organoids. The breakthroughs achieved through these techniques will pave the way for a transformative era in gastrointestinal (GI) disease modeling and treatment strategies. This review serves as an introduction to the companion protocol paper featured in this journal. The protocol outlines the isolation and co-culture of myenteric and submucosal neurons with small intestinal organoids. This review provides an overview of the intestinal organoid culture field to establish a solid foundation for effective protocol application. Remarkably, the ENS surpasses the number of neurons in the spinal cord. Referred to as the "second brain", the ENS orchestrates pivotal roles in GI functions, including motility, blood flow, and secretion. The ENS is organized into myenteric and submucosal plexuses. These plexuses house diverse subtypes of neurons. Due to its proximity to the gut musculature and its cell type complexity, there are methodological intricacies in studying the ENS. Diverse approaches such as primary cell cultures, three-dimensional (3D) neurospheres, and induced ENS cells offer diverse insights into the multifaceted functionality of the ENS. The ENS exhibits dynamic interactions with the intestinal epithelium, the muscle layer, and the immune system, influencing epithelial physiology, motility, immune responses, and the microbiome. Neurotransmitters, including acetylcholine (ACh), serotonin (5-HT), and vasoactive intestinal peptide (VIP), play pivotal roles in these intricate interactions. Understanding these dynamics is imperative, as the ENS is implicated in various diseases, ranging from neuropathies to GI disorders and neurodegenerative diseases. The emergence of organoid technology presents an unprecedented opportunity to study ENS interactions within the complex milieu of the small and large intestines. This manuscript underscores the urgent need for standardized protocols and advanced techniques to unravel the complexities of the ENS and its dynamic relationship with the gut ecosystem. The insights gleaned from such endeavors hold the potential to revolutionize GI disease modeling and treatment paradigms.

Targeting chemokine-receptor mediated molecular signaling by ethnopharmacological approaches

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE

Infection and inflammation are critical to global human health status and the goal of current pharmacological interventions intends formulating medications/preventives as a measure to deal with this situation. Chemokines and their cognate receptors are major regulatory molecules in many of these ailments. Natural products have been a keen source to the drug development industry, every year contributing significantly to the growing list of FDA approved drugs. A multiverse of natural resource is employed as a part of curative regimen in folk/traditional/ethnomedicine which can be employed to discover, repurpose, and design potent medications for the diseases of clinical concern.

AIM OF THE STUDY

This review aims to systematically document the ethnopharmacologically active agents targeting the infectious-inflammatory diseases through the chemokine-receptor nexus.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Articles related to chemokine/receptor modulating ethnopharmacological anti-inflammatory, anti-infectious natural sources, bioactive compounds, and formulations have been examined with special emphasis on women related diseases. The available literature has been thoroughly scrutinized for the application of traditional medicines in chemokine associated experimental methods, their regulatory outcomes, and pertinence to women's health wherever applicable. Moreover, the potential traditional regimens under clinical trials have been critically assessed.

RESULTS

A systematic and comprehensive review on the chemokine-receptor targeting ethnopharmaceutics from the available literature has been provided. The article discusses the implication of traditional medicine in the chemokine system dynamics in diverse infectious-inflammatory disorders such as cardiovascular diseases, allergic diseases, inflammatory diseases, neuroinflammation, and cancer. On this note, critical evaluation of the available data surfaced multiple diseases prevalent in women such as osteoporosis, rheumatoid arthritis, breast cancer, cervical cancer and urinary tract infection. Currently there is no available literature highlighting chemokine-receptor targeting using traditional medicinal approach from women's health perspective. Moreover, despite being potent in vitro and in vivo setups there remains a gap in clinical translation of these formulations, which needs to be strategically and scientifically addressed to pave the way for their successful industrial translation.

CONCLUSIONS

The review provides an optimistic global perspective towards the applicability of ethnopharmacology in chemokine-receptor regulated infectious and inflammatory diseases with special emphasis on ailments prevalent in women, consecutively addressing their current status of clinical translation and future directions.

Integrated single-cell and bulk RNA sequencing reveals CREM is involved in the pathogenesis of ulcerative colitis

Background

Ulcerative colitis (UC) is an inflammatory bowel disease characterized by persistent colonic inflammation. Here, we performed a systematic analysis to gain better insights into UC pathogenesis.

Methods

We analyzed two UC-related datasets extracted from the gene expression omnibus database using several bioinformatics tools. The primary cell types and key subgroups of primary cells associated with UC and differentially expressed genes (DEGs) between UC and control samples were identified. The molecular regulation of the key genes was also predicted. The gene ontology and Kyoto encyclopedia of genes and genomes enrichment analyses of marker genes of key cell subgroups and model genes were performed. The expression of key enriched genes was validated in 10 clinical samples using real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction (RT-qPCR).

Results

Monocytes were identified as the major cell type. Ten differentially expressed marker genes were obtained by intersecting the 3121 DEGs, 38 marker genes in major cell types, and 104 marker genes in key cell subgroups. Four essential genes, associated with immune response, were obtained using support vector machine recursive feature elimination and least absolute shrinkage and selection operator analyses. The four essential genes were highly expressed in Cluster 0 during differentiation. Validation of the four key genes in colonic mucosal biopsy specimens from 10 normal and 10 UC patients revealed that CREM was highly expressed in both the lesion-free sites and lesion sites colonic mucosa of UC patients compared with normal adults.

Conclusions

We identified CREM involved in UC pathogenesis, which is expected to provide a new therapeutic target for UC.

The Plethora of Microbes with Anti-Inflammatory Activities

Inflammation, which has important functions in human defense systems and in maintaining the dynamic homeostasis of the body, has become a major risk factor for the progression of many chronic diseases. Although the applied medical products alleviate the general status, they still exert adverse effects in the long term. For this reason, the solution should be sought in more harmless and affordable agents. Microorganisms offer a wide range of active substances with anti-inflammatory properties. They confer important advantages such as their renewable and inexhaustible nature. This review aims to provide the most recent updates on microorganisms of different types and genera, being carriers of anti-inflammatory activity.

An in vitro model to study immune activation, epithelial disruption and stromal remodelling in inflammatory bowel disease and fistulising Crohn's disease

At present, preclinical models of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) are insufficient, limiting translation between research and new therapeutics. This is especially true for fistulising Crohn's disease (CD), as the severe lack of relevant models hinders research progression. To address this, we present in vitro human IBD mucosal models that recapitulate multiple pathological hallmarks of IBD simultaneously in one model system - immune cell infiltration, stromal remodelling and epithelial disruption. Stimulation of models induces epithelial aberrations common in IBD tissue including altered morphology, microvilli abnormalities, claudin gene expression changes and increased permeability. Inflammatory biomarkers are also significantly increased including cytokines and chemokines integral to IBD pathogenesis. Evidence of extracellular matrix remodelling, including upregulated matrix-metalloproteinases and altered basement membrane components, suggests the models simulate pathological stromal remodelling events that closely resemble fistulising CD. Importantly, MMP-9 is the most abundant MMP and mimics the unique localisation observed in IBD tissue. The inflamed models were subsequently used to elucidate the involvement of TNF-α and IFN- γ in intestinal stromal remodelling, in which TNF-α but not IFN- γ induced MMP upregulation, specifically of MMP-3 and MMP-9. Collectively, our results demonstrate the potential of the IBD models for use in preclinical research in IBD, particularly for fistulising CD.

Non-coding RNAs: Emerging biomarkers and therapeutic targets in ulcerative colitis

Ulcerative colitis (UC) is a persistent inflammatory condition affecting the colon's mucosal lining, leading to chronic bowel inflammation. Despite extensive research, the precise molecular mechanisms underlying UC pathogenesis remain elusive. NcRNAs form a category of functional RNA molecules devoid of protein-coding capacity. They have recently surfaced as pivotal modulators of gene expression and integral participants in various pathological processes, particularly those related to inflammatory disorders. The diverse classes of ncRNAs, encompassing miRNAs, circRNAs, and lncRNAs, have been implicated in UC. It highlights their involvement in key UC-related processes, such as immune cell activation, epithelial barrier integrity, and the production of pro-inflammatory mediators. ncRNAs have been identified as potential biomarkers for UC diagnosis and monitoring disease progression, offering promising avenues for personalized medicine. This approach may pave the way for novel, more specific treatments with reduced side effects, addressing the current limitations of conventional therapies. A comprehensive understanding of the interplay between ncRNAs and UC will advance our knowledge of the disease, potentially leading to more effective and personalized treatments for patients suffering from this debilitating condition. This review explores the pivotal role of ncRNAs in the context of UC, shedding light on their possible targets for diagnosis, prognosis, and therapeutic interventions.

Identification of potential miR‑155 target genes in epidermal immune microenvironment of atopic dermatitis patients and their inflammatory effects on HaCaT cells

Atopic dermatitis (AD) is a common inflammatory skin condition and the leading cause of morbidity associated with skin conditions worldwide. For the majority of patients, AD is a lifelong disease that cannot be cured completely. Therefore, in the present study, differentially expressed genes (DEGs) in the epidermal immune microenvironment were screened using bioinformatic techniques. Subsequently, an in vitro cellular model was constructed to investigate the role of microRNA (miR)-155 in immune infiltration during AD. In the present study, two datasets (GSE121212 and GSE157194) were downloaded from Gene Expression Omnibus, before the DEGs were screened and subjected to Gene Ontology and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes functional enrichment analyses. miRNet was used to predict the possible target genes of miR-155 among the differentially expressed genes found. Consequently, peptidase inhibitor 3 (PI3), FOS-like 1, AP-1 transcription factor subunit (FOSL1), C-X-C motif chemokine ligand (CXCL)1 and CXCL8 were selected to be the potential target genes of miR-155 in the epidermal immune microenvironment of patients with AD. Concurrently, an inflammatory cell model using HaCaT cells was constructed by TNF-α and IFN-γ treatment. The effects of miR-155 on HaCaT cell proliferation and secretion of IL-1β, IL-6, IL-10, IL-15, PI3, FOSL1, CXCL1 and CXCL8 under inflammatory and non-inflammatory conditions were then analyzed. The results showed that after the HaCaT cells were transfected with miR-155, miR-155 inhibited HaCaT cell proliferation and decreased the mRNA expression levels of PI3 and CXCL8, increased the mRNA levels of FOSL1 and secretion levels of IL-1β, IL-6, IL-15 and CXCL1. By contrast, miR-155 decreased the secretion levels of IL-10 and CXCL8. In the inflammatory cell model of HaCaT cells, miR-155 was found to significantly inhibit the proliferation of HaCaT cells during inflammation whilst significantly increasing the secretion of IL-1β, IL-6, IL-10 and IL-15. In addition, miR-155 increased the mRNA expression and secretion levels of CXCL1 and CXCL8, whilst also increasing the mRNA expression levels of PI3. Results from the current study suggest that miR-155 can stimulate keratinocytes to produce inflammatory cytokines and proteins to enhance the inflammatory response in AD.

Orally-administered nanomedicine systems targeting colon inflammation for the treatment of inflammatory bowel disease: latest advances

Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) is a chronic and idiopathic condition that results in inflammation of the gastrointestinal tract, leading to conditions such as ulcerative colitis and Crohn's disease. Commonly used treatments for IBD include anti-inflammatory drugs, immunosuppressants, and antibiotics. Fecal microbiota transplantation is also being explored as a potential treatment method; however, these drugs may lead to systemic side effects. Oral administration is preferred for IBD treatment, but accurately locating the inflamed area in the colon is challenging due to multiple physiological barriers. Nanoparticle drug delivery systems possess unique physicochemical properties that enable precise delivery to the target site for IBD treatment, exploiting the increased permeability and retention effect of inflamed intestines. The first part of this review comprehensively introduces the pathophysiological environment of IBD, covering the gastrointestinal pH, various enzymes in the pathway, transport time, intestinal mucus, intestinal epithelium, intestinal immune cells, and intestinal microbiota. The second part focuses on the latest advances in the mechanism and strategies of targeted delivery using oral nanoparticle drug delivery systems for colitis-related fields. Finally, we present challenges and potential directions for future IBD treatment with the assistance of nanotechnology.

Casuarina glauca branchlets' extract as a potential treatment for ulcerative colitis: chemical composition, in silico and in vivo studies

Ulcerative colitis (UC) is an inflammatory bowel disease that is often resistant to current treatment options, leading to a need for alternative therapies. Herbal products have shown promise in managing various conditions, including UC. However, the potential of Casuarina glauca branchlets ethanolic extract (CGBRE) in treating UC has not been explored. This study aimed to analyze the chemical composition of CGBRE and evaluate its efficacy in UC treatment through in silico and in vivo experiments. LC-ESI-MS/MS was used to identify 86 compounds in CGBRE, with 21 potential bioactive compounds determined through pharmacokinetic analysis. Network pharmacology analysis revealed 171 potential UC targets for the bioactive compounds, including EGFR, LRRK2, and HSP90 as top targets, which were found to bind to key CGBRE compounds through molecular docking. Molecular docking findings suggested that CGBRE may be effective in the prevention or treatment of ulcerative colitis mediated by these proteins, where key CGBRE compounds exhibited good binding affinities through formation of numerous interactions. In vivo studies in rats with acetic acid-induced UC demonstrated that oral administration of 300 mg/kg CGBRE for 6 days reduced UC symptoms and colonic expression of EGFR, LRRK2, and HSP90. These findings supported the therapeutic potential of CGBRE in UC and suggested the need for further preclinical and clinical investigation.

CD73 blockade alleviates intestinal inflammatory responses by regulating macrophage differentiation in ulcerative colitis

Ulcerative colitis (UC) is a type of inflammatory bowel disease characterized by excessive and persistent inflammation. Intestinal macrophages play a considerable role in regulating inflammatory immune reactions in the gut mucosa. It has previously been reported that CD73 is related to the pathogenesis of inflammatory or immune-related diseases; however, the roles of CD73 in UC remain unclear. In this study, CD73 expression in the inflamed mucosa of patients with UC was examined using reverse transcription-quantitative PCR (RT-qPCR), western blotting, and immunohistochemistry. Adenosine 5'-(α, β-methylene) diphosphate (APCP) was used to block the expression of CD73. Furthermore, the mRNA levels of proinflammatory mediators associated with macrophages following the blocking of CD73 were examined using RT-qPCR. Finally, the regulatory function of CD73 in intestinal inflammation was assessed by administering APCP in a mouse model of dextran sulfate sodium salt (DSS)-induced colitis. Notably, it was found that CD73 expression was significantly increased in the colonic mucosal tissues of patients with UC. Blockade of CD73 inhibited the expression of pro-inflammatory cytokines but promoted the production of anti-inflammatory cytokines in macrophages, while its promotion of M2 macrophage polarization was also verified. In vivo, CD73 blockade markedly alleviated DSS-induced colitis in mice, as characterized by reduced weight loss, reduction in the incidence of diarrhea, and reduced amount of bloody stool. Mechanistically, it was shown that CD73 regulated macrophage differentiation via the NF-κB and ERK signaling pathways. In conclusion, the findings of the present study indicate that CD73 may have a potential impact on the pathogenesis of UC by modulating the immune response of macrophage differentiation; thus, providing a novel pathway for modulating mucosal inflammation in UC.

Immune cells and their related genes provide a new perspective on the common pathogenesis of ankylosing spondylitis and inflammatory bowel diseases

Background

The close relationship between ankylosing spondylitis (AS) and inflammatory bowel diseases (IBD) has been supported by many aspects, including but not limited to clinical manifestations, epidemiology and pathogenesis. Some evidence suggests that immune cells actively participated in the pathogenesis of both diseases. However, information on which cells are primarily involved in this process and how these cells mobilize, migrate and interact is still limited.

Methods

Datasets were downloaded from Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO) database. Common differentially expressed genes (coDEGs) were identified by package “limma”. The protein-protein interaction (PPI) network and Weighted Gene Co-Expression Network Analysis (WGCNA) were used to analyze the interactions between coDEGs. KEGG pathway enrichment analysis and inverse cumulative distribution function were applied to identify common differential pathways, while Gene Set Enrichment Analysis (GSEA) was used to confirm the significance. Correlation analysis between coDEGs and immune cells led to the identification of critical immune-cell-related coDEGs. The diagnostic models were established based on least absolute shrinkage and selection operator (LASSO) regression, while receiver operating characteristic (ROC) analysis was used to identify the ability of the model. Validation datasets were imported to demonstrate the significant association of coDEGs with specific immune cells and the capabilities of the diagnostic model.

Results

In total, 67 genes were up-regulated and 185 genes were down-regulated in both diseases. Four down-regulated pathways and four up-regulated pathways were considered important. Up-regulated coDEGs were firmly associated with neutrophils, while down-regulated genes were significantly associated with CD8+ T−cells and CD4+ T−cells in both AS and IBD datasets. Five up-regulated and six down-regulated key immue-cell-related coDEGs were identified. Diagnostic models based on key immue-cell-related coDEGs were established and tested. Validation datasets confirmed the significance of the correlation between coDEGs and specific immune cells.

Conclusion

This study provides fresh insights into the co-pathogenesis of AS and IBD. It is proposed that neutrophils and T cells may be actively involved in this process, however, in opposite ways. The immue-cell-related coDEGs, revealed in this study, may be relevant to their regulation, although relevant research is still lacking.

The Wu-Shi-Cha formula protects against ulcerative colitis by orchestrating immunity and microbiota homeostasis

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE

Ulcerative colitis (UC) has become a healthy burden worldwide due to its insidious onset and repetitive relapse, with a rather complex etiology, including inappropriate immune response, dysbiosis, genetic susceptibility, and unhealthy diets. The Wu-Shi-Cha (WSC) formula is a widely utilized drug to protect against gastrointestinal disorders.

AIM OF THE STUDY

The study aspired to dissect the pertinent mechanisms of the WSC to treat UC.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Network pharmacology and weighted gene co-expression network analysis (WGCNA) were performed to predict the targets of WSC in the context of UC and colorectal cancer. Dextran sodium sulfate (DSS) was used to construct murine models of experimental colitis, and the WSC was given to colitis mice for 14 days. Feces and colon samples were subjected to 16S rRNA gene sequencing combined with liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry (LC-MS) and biochemical experiments, respectively.

RESULTS

Network pharmacology analysis predicted that the WSC formula could orchestrate inflammation, infection, and tumorigenesis, and WGCNA based on The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) database showed a potent anti-neoplastic effect of the WSC therapy for colorectal cancer. The WSC therapy rescued bursts of pro-inflammatory cytokines and colonic epithelial collapse in DSS-induced colitis mice. Moreover, the high dose of WSC treatment facilitated the alternative activation of peritoneal macrophages (Mφs) and these Mφs were conducive to the survival of intestinal stem cells (ISCs), and the disturbed homeostasis of gut microbiota was re-established after WSC treatment, as evidenced by the decreased colonization of pathological taxa in the fecal samples.

CONCLUSION

The WSC formula suppresses inflammation and re-establishes the homeostasis of gut microbiota, thereby ameliorating colitis progression.

Treatment with the Olive Secoiridoid Oleacein Protects against the Intestinal Alterations Associated with EAE

Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a CNS inflammatory demyelinating disease. Recent investigations highlight the gut-brain axis as a communication network with crucial implications in neurological diseases. Thus, disrupted intestinal integrity allows the translocation of luminal molecules into systemic circulation, promoting systemic/brain immune-inflammatory responses. In both, MS and its preclinical model, the experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis (EAE) gastrointestinal symptoms including "leaky gut" have been reported. Oleacein (OLE), a phenolic compound from extra virgin olive oil or olive leaves, harbors a wide range of therapeutic properties. Previously, we showed OLE effectiveness preventing motor defects and inflammatory damage of CNS tissues on EAE mice. The current studies examine its potential protective effects on intestinal barrier dysfunction using MOG_35-55-induced EAE in C57BL/6 mice. OLE decreased EAE-induced inflammation and oxidative stress in the intestine, preventing tissue injury and permeability alterations. OLE protected from EAE-induced superoxide anion and accumulation of protein and lipid oxidation products in colon, also enhancing its antioxidant capacity. These effects were accompanied by reduced colonic IL-1β and TNFα levels in OLE-treated EAE mice, whereas the immunoregulatory cytokines IL-25 and IL-33 remained unchanged. Moreover, OLE protected the mucin-containing goblet cells in colon and the serum levels of iFABP and sCD14, markers that reflect loss of intestinal epithelial barrier integrity and low-grade systemic inflammation, were significantly reduced. These effects on intestinal permeability did not draw significant differences on the abundance and diversity of gut microbiota. However, OLE induced an EAE-independent raise in the abundance of Akkermansiaceae family. Consistently, using Caco-2 cells as an in vitro model, we confirmed that OLE protected against intestinal barrier dysfunction induced by harmful mediators present in both EAE and MS. This study proves that the protective effect of OLE in EAE also involves normalizing the gut alterations associated to the disease.

The chemokines CXCL8 and CXCL12: molecular and functional properties, role in disease and efforts towards pharmacological intervention

Chemokines are an indispensable component of our immune system through the regulation of directional migration and activation of leukocytes. CXCL8 is the most potent human neutrophil-attracting chemokine and plays crucial roles in the response to infection and tissue injury. CXCL8 activity inherently depends on interaction with the human CXC chemokine receptors CXCR1 and CXCR2, the atypical chemokine receptor ACKR1, and glycosaminoglycans. Furthermore, (hetero)dimerization and tight regulation of transcription and translation, as well as post-translational modifications further fine-tune the spatial and temporal activity of CXCL8 in the context of inflammatory diseases and cancer. The CXCL8 interaction with receptors and glycosaminoglycans is therefore a promising target for therapy, as illustrated by multiple ongoing clinical trials. CXCL8-mediated neutrophil mobilization to blood is directly opposed by CXCL12, which retains leukocytes in bone marrow. CXCL12 is primarily a homeostatic chemokine that induces migration and activation of hematopoietic progenitor cells, endothelial cells, and several leukocytes through interaction with CXCR4, ACKR1, and ACKR3. Thereby, it is an essential player in the regulation of embryogenesis, hematopoiesis, and angiogenesis. However, CXCL12 can also exert inflammatory functions, as illustrated by its pivotal role in a growing list of pathologies and its synergy with CXCL8 and other chemokines to induce leukocyte chemotaxis. Here, we review the plethora of information on the CXCL8 structure, interaction with receptors and glycosaminoglycans, different levels of activity regulation, role in homeostasis and disease, and therapeutic prospects. Finally, we discuss recent research on CXCL12 biochemistry and biology and its role in pathology and pharmacology.

Cyanobacterial Harmful Bloom Lipopolysaccharides Induce Pro-Inflammatory Effects in Immune and Intestinal Epithelial Cells In Vitro

Freshwater cyanobacterial harmful blooms (CyanoHABs) produce a variety of toxic and bioactive compounds including lipopolysaccharides (LPSs). The gastrointestinal tract can be exposed to them via contaminated water even during recreational activities. However, there is no evidence of an effect of CyanoHAB LPSs on intestinal cells. We isolated LPSs of four CyanoHABs dominated by different cyanobacterial species and LPSs of four laboratory cultures representing the respective dominant cyanobacterial genera. Two intestinal and one macrophage cell lines were used to detect in vitro pro-inflammatory activity of the LPS. All LPSs isolated from CyanoHABs and laboratory cultures induced cytokines production in at least one in vitro model, except for LPSs from the Microcystis PCC7806 culture. LPSs isolated from cyanobacteria showed unique migration patterns in SDS-PAGE that were qualitatively distinct from those of endotoxins from Gram-negative bacteria. There was no clear relationship between the biological activity of the LPS and the share of genomic DNA of Gram-negative bacteria in the respective biomass. Thus, the total share of Gram-negative bacteria, or the presence of Escherichia coli-like LPSs, did not explain the observed pro-inflammatory activities. The pro-inflammatory properties of environmental mixtures of LPSs from CyanoHABs indicate their human health hazards, and further attention should be given to their assessment and monitoring.

A comprehensive assessment of cell type-specific differential expression methods in bulk data

Accounting for cell type compositions has been very successful at analyzing high-throughput data from heterogeneous tissues. Differential gene expression analysis at cell type level is becoming increasingly popular, yielding biomarker discovery in a finer granularity within a particular cell type. Although several computational methods have been developed to identify cell type-specific differentially expressed genes (csDEG) from RNA-seq data, a systematic evaluation is yet to be performed. Here, we thoroughly benchmark six recently published methods: CellDMC, CARseq, TOAST, LRCDE, CeDAR and TCA, together with two classical methods, csSAM and DESeq2, for a comprehensive comparison. We aim to systematically evaluate the performance of popular csDEG detection methods and provide guidance to researchers. In simulation studies, we benchmark available methods under various scenarios of baseline expression levels, sample sizes, cell type compositions, expression level alterations, technical noises and biological dispersions. Real data analyses of three large datasets on inflammatory bowel disease, lung cancer and autism provide evaluation in both the gene level and the pathway level. We find that csDEG calling is strongly affected by effect size, baseline expression level and cell type compositions. Results imply that csDEG discovery is a challenging task itself, with room to improvements on handling low signal-to-noise ratio and low expression genes.

The Relationship between Serum CXCL8 and ET-1 Expression Levels and Sepsis Complicated with Heart Failure

Objective. The objective is to investigate the relationship between sepsis complicated with heart failure and the expression levels of CXC chemokine ligand 8 (CXCL8) and endothelin-1 (ET-1). Methods. A total of 128 sepsis patients accepted by the Ganzhou People’s Hospital from March 2019 to December 2021 were collected as observation objects, and they were separated into a simple sepsis group (86 cases) and a complicated heart failure group (42 cases) according to whether they were accompanied by heart failure or not. General data such as Sequential Organ Failure Assessment (SOFA) score and Acute Physiology and Chronic Health Evaluation II (APACHE II) were collected; the expression levels of serum CXCL8 and ET-1 were detected by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA); the cardiac function parameters such as left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF), stroke volume (SV), cardiac output (CO), and cardiac index (CI) were measured by color Doppler ultrasound; the correlation between serum CXCL8 and ET-1 expression levels with clinical data and cardiac function parameters in patients with sepsis complicated with heart failure was analyzed by the Pearson correlation; and the influencing factors of sepsis complicated with heart failure were analyzed by the logistic regression analysis. Results. The serum CXCL8 and ET-1 expression levels, SOFA score, and APACHE II score in the complicated heart failure group were higher than those in the simple sepsis group ( $P<0.05$ ), and LVEF, SV, CO, and CI in the complicated heart failure group were lower than those in the simple sepsis group ( $P<0.05$ ). Serum CXCL8 was positively correlated with ET-1 in patients with sepsis complicated with heart failure (r = 0.531, $P<0.05$ ), and the two were positively correlated with SOFA score and APACHE II score ( $P<0.05$ ) and were negatively correlated with LVEF, SV, CO, and CI ( $P<0.05$ ). CXCL8 and ET-1 were independent risk factors for sepsis complicated with heart failure ( $P<0.05$ ). Conclusion. The expression levels of serum CXCL8 and ET-1 in sepsis patients with heart failure are significantly increased, and both are risk factors for heart failure in sepsis patients.

RNA-seq reveals a novel porcine lncRNA MPHOSPH9-OT1 induces CXCL8/IL-8 expression in ETEC infected IPEC-J2 cells

Enterotoxigenic Escherichia coli (ETEC) is a major cause of bacterial diarrhea in piglets, leading to economic losses in the pig industry. In past decades, long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) have shown to be widely involved in the regulation of host immunity in porcine infection diseases. In this study, we explored the lncRNAs associated with ETEC F41 infection in IPEC-J2 cells by high-throughput sequencing and bioinformatic analysis. A total of 10150 novel porcine lncRNAs were identified. There were 161 differentially expressed (DE) lncRNAs associated with ETEC F41 infection, of which 65 DE lncRNAs were up-regulated and 96 DE lncRNAs were down-regulated. Functional and KEGG enrichment analysis of predicted target genes of DE lncRNAs indicated they are enriched in cell growth and inflammation-related pathways, such as endocytosis, focal adhesion, TGF-β signaling pathway, and adherens junctions. We revealed a novel candidate lncRNA MPHOSPH9-OT1 that was up-regulated after ETEC infection. The qRT-PCR validation and ELISA assessment showed the knockdown and overexpression of MPHOSPH9-OT1 resulted in significantly down- and up-regulation of cellular mRNA levels and secreted cytokine levels of CXCL8/IL-8, respectively. Meanwhile, MPHOSPH9-OT1 equilibrium is important to maintain the transepithelial electric resistance value and tight junction protein expression of IPEC-J2 cells. This study provides insights into the functionality of novel porcine lncRNAs in host immune responses to ETEC infection.

β(2→1) chicory and β(2→1)-β(2→6) agave fructans protect the human intestinal barrier function in vitro in a stressor-dependent fashion

Dietary fibers such as fructans can protect the intestinal epithelial barrier integrity, but the mechanisms underlying this protection are not completely understood. We aimed to study the protective effect of β(2→1)-β(2→6) branched graminan-type fructans (GTFs) on gut epithelial barrier function that was disrupted by three different agents which impact the barrier function via different cellular mechanisms. The effects of GTFs were compared with those of linear β(2→1) inulin-type fructans (ITFs). T84 intestinal epithelial monolayers were incubated with GTFs and ITFs. Afterwards, the monolayers were challenged with the barrier disruptors calcium ionophore A23187, 12-myristate 13-acetate (PMA) and deoxynivalenol (DON). Transepithelial resistance was measured with an electric cell-substrate impedance sensing system. All fructans studied prevented the barrier disruption induced by A23187. ITF II protected from the disruptive effects of PMA. However, none of the studied fructans influenced the disruption induced by DON. As a measure of disruption-induced inflammation, interleukin-8 (IL-8) production by the intestinal epithelium was determined by ELISA. The production of IL-8 induced by A23187 was decreased by all fructans, whereas IL-8 production induced by DON decreased only upon pre-treatment with ITF II. None of the studied fructans prevented PMA induced IL-8 production. GTFs just like ITFs can influence the barrier function and inflammatory processes in gut epithelial cells in a structure-dependent fashion. These distinct protective effects are dependent on the different signaling pathways that lead to gut barrier disruption.

Identification of useful genes from multiple microarrays for ulcerative colitis diagnosis based on machine learning methods

Ulcerative colitis (UC) is a chronic relapsing inflammatory bowel disease with an increasing incidence and prevalence worldwide. The diagnosis for UC mainly relies on clinical symptoms and laboratory examinations. As some previous studies have revealed that there is an association between gene expression signature and disease severity, we thereby aim to assess whether genes can help to diagnose UC and predict its correlation with immune regulation. A total of ten eligible microarrays (including 387 UC patients and 139 healthy subjects) were included in this study, specifically with six microarrays (GSE48634, GSE6731, GSE114527, GSE13367, GSE36807, and GSE3629) in the training group and four microarrays (GSE53306, GSE87473, GSE74265, and GSE96665) in the testing group. After the data processing, we found 87 differently expressed genes. Furthermore, a total of six machine learning methods, including support vector machine, least absolute shrinkage and selection operator, random forest, gradient boosting machine, principal component analysis, and neural network were adopted to identify potentially useful genes. The synthetic minority oversampling (SMOTE) was used to adjust the imbalanced sample size for two groups (if any). Consequently, six genes were selected for model establishment. According to the receiver operating characteristic, two genes of OLFM4 and C4BPB were finally identified. The average values of area under curve for these two genes are higher than 0.8, either in the original datasets or SMOTE-adjusted datasets. Besides, these two genes also significantly correlated to six immune cells, namely Macrophages M1, Macrophages M2, Mast cells activated, Mast cells resting, Monocytes, and NK cells activated (P  <  0.05). OLFM4 and C4BPB may be conducive to identifying patients with UC. Further verification studies could be conducted.

Identification of Differentially Expressed Genes and miRNAs for Ulcerative Colitis Using Bioinformatics Analysis

Introduction: Ulcerative colitis (UC) is a chronic inflammatory disease of the intestine whose cause and underlying mechanisms are not fully understood. The aim of this study was to use bioinformatics analysis to identify differentially expressed genes (DEGs) with diagnostic and therapeutic potential in UC.

Materials and methods: Three UC datasets (GSE179285, GSE75214, GSE48958) were downloaded from the Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO) database. DEGs between normal and UC tissues were identified using the GEO2R online tool. The Gene Ontology (GO) and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) pathway enrichment analyses of the DEGs were performed using Metascape. Protein-protein interaction network (PPI) analysis and visualization using STRING and Cytoscape. Finally, the miRNA gene regulatory network was constructed by Cytoscape to predict potential microRNAs (miRNAs) associated with DEGs.

Results: A total of 446 DEGs were identified, consisting of 309 upregulated genes and 137 downregulated genes. The enriched functions and pathways of the DEGs include extracellular matrix, regulation of cell adhesion, inflammatory response, response to cytokine, monocarboxylic acid metabolic process, response to toxic substance. The analysis of KEGG pathway indicates that the DEGs were significantly enriched in Complement and coagulation cascades, Amoebiasis, TNF signaling pathway, bile secretion, and Mineral absorption. Combining the results of the PPI network and CytoHubba, 9 hub genes including CXCL8, ICAM1, CXCR4, CD44, IL1B, MMP9, SPP1, TIMP1, and HIF1A were selected. Based on the DEG-miRNAs network construction, 7 miRNAs including miR-335-5p, mir-204-5p, miR-93-5p, miR106a-5p, miR-21-5p, miR-146a-5p, and miR-155-5p were identified as potential critical miRNAs.

Conclusion: In summary, we identified DEGs that may be involved in the progression or occurrence of UC. A total of 446 DEGs,9 hub genes and 7 miRNAs were identified, which may be considered as biomarkers of UC. Further studies, however, are needed to elucidate the biological functions of these genes in UC.

Fructus Mume (Wu Mei) Attenuates Acetic Acid-Induced Ulcerative Colitis by Regulating Inflammatory Cytokine, Reactive Oxygen Species, and Neuropeptide Levels in Model Rats

Ulcerative colitis (UC) is a chronic idiopathic inflammatory disorder of the large intestine. Fructus mume (FM), a natural food with nutritive and pharmaceutical value, has demonstrated therapeutic efficacy against UC. In this study, we investigated the protective effects and mechanisms of FM against UC. We induced UC in rats with 4% (v/v) acetic acid (AA), orally administered 0.7 or 0.325 g/kg FM and 0.3 g/kg sulfasalazine (SASP) for 7 days, and explored the responses the drugs elicited in the rats. We assessed the general conditions of the rats by the disease active index. We evaluated colon tissue damage macroscopically and by Hematoxylin & Eosin, Alcian Blue-periodic acid-Schiff, and Masson's staining, and explored the potential mechanisms of FM on inflammation, oxidative stress, and neuropeptides by measuring TNF-α, IL-6, IL-8, IL-10, MMP9, CXCR-1, SOD, GSH-px, MDA, ROS, SIRT3, SP, VIP, ghrelin, and 5-HT. FM treatment significantly attenuated colon damage and submucosal fibrosis compared with the model. It lowered serum proinflammatory TNF-α, IL-8, and colonic MMP9 and CXCR-1, and raised serum anti-inflammatory IL-10 levels. FM upregulated the antioxidant enzymes SOD, GSH-px, and SITR3 protein but inhibited ROS and MDA production. It downregulated colonic SP, VIP, ghrelin, and 5-HT. The beneficial effects of FM might be dose dependent. Around 0.7 g/kg FM and SASP displayed similar efficacy for treating AA-induced colitis in rats. Our results provide empirical evidence that FM protects against AA-induced UC in rats via anti-inflammatory and antioxidant mechanisms, and regulates neuropeptides; thus, FM may be a promising, safe, and efficacious alternative therapy for UC, if its efficacy can be confirmed in human trials.

Increased serum levels of CCL3, CXCL8, CXCL9, and CXCL10 in rosacea patients and their correlation with disease severity

Rosacea is a common chronic inflammatory skin disease involving millions of patients worldwide. Previous studies have highlighted the upregulation of a variety of chemokines in the skin lesions of both rosacea patient and rosacea-like mouse model. However, the serum levels of these chemokines and their clinical significance have not been explored before. In this study, we aimed at examining the serum levels of a series of chemokines (including CCL2, CCL3, CCL20, CXCL1, CXCL8, CXCL9, CXCL10, and CXCL12) implicated in rosacea and their correlation with disease severity. Bio-Plex Pro Human Chemokine Assays were used to measure the serum levels of these chemokines. Investigator's Global Assessment (IGA) was applied for assessing the papules/pustules of rosacea patients, while persistent erythema was evaluated by the Clinician's Erythema Assessment (CEA). Our results revealed that the serum concentration of CCL3, CXCL8, CXCL9, and CXCL10 were markedly elevated in rosacea patients compared to healthy controls. Among them, the levels of CCL3, CXCL8, and CXCL9 were positively correlated with the IGA score, while serum CXCL9 and CXCL10 were positively related with the CEA score of rosacea patients. What's more, the expression of the corresponding receptors of CCL3 (Ccr1), CXCL8 (Cxcr1 and Cxcr2), CXCL9, and CXCL10 (Cxcr3) were all significantly increased in the skin lesions of rosacea-like mouse model with CXCR2 and CXCR3 highly expressed in rosacea patient skins. Our results indicated that CCL3, CXCL8, CXCL9, and CXCL10 might potentially serve as serum indicators for rosacea and could assist the severity evaluation of disease. Findings in this study would also potentially help to develop new targeted therapies for rosacea in future. © 2022 Japanese Dermatological Association.

Cow Milk Extracellular Vesicle Effects on an In Vitro Model of Intestinal Inflammation

Extracellular vesicles (EVs) are lipid bilayer nano-dimensional spherical structures and act mainly as signaling mediators between cells, in particular modulating immunity and inflammation. Milk-derived EVs (mEVs) can have immunomodulatory and anti-inflammatory effects, and milk is one of the most promising food sources of EVs. In this context, this study aimed to evaluate bovine mEVs anti-inflammatory and immunomodulating effects on an in vitro co-culture (Caco-2 and THP-1) model of intestinal inflammation through gene expression evaluation with RT-qPCR and cytokine release through ELISA. After establishing a pro-inflammatory environment due to IFN-γ and LPS stimuli, CXCL8, IL1B, TNFA, IL12A, IL23A, TGFB1, NOS2, and MMP9 were significantly up-regulated in inflamed Caco-2 compared to the basal co-culture. Moreover, IL-17, IL-1β, IL-6, TNF-α release was increased in supernatants of THP-1. The mEV administration partially restored initial conditions with an effective anti-inflammatory activity. Indeed, a decrease in gene expression and protein production of most of the tested cytokines was detected, together with a significant gene expression decrease in MMP9 and the up-regulation of MUC2 and TJP1. These results showed a fundamental capability of mEVs to modulate inflammation and their potential beneficial effect on the intestinal mucosa.

Study on the Effective Material Basis and Mechanism of Traditional Chinese Medicine Prescription (QJC) Against Stress Diarrhea in Mice

Stress diarrhea is a major challenge for weaned piglets and restricts pig production efficiency and incurs massive economic losses. A traditional Chinese medicine prescription (QJC) composed of Astragalus propinquus Schischkin (HQ), Zingiber officinale Roscoe (SJ), and Plantago asiatica L. (CQC) has been developed by our laboratory and shows marked anti-stress diarrhea effect. However, the active compounds, potential targets, and mechanism of this effect remain unclear and warrant further investigation. In our study, we verified the bioactive compounds of QJC and relevant mechanisms underlying the anti-stress diarrhea effect through network pharmacology and in vivo experimental studies. After establishing a successful stress-induced diarrhea model, histomorphology of intestinal mucosa was studied, and Quantitative real-time PCR (RT-qPCR) probe was used for the phosphoinositide 3-kinase (PI3K)-Akt signaling pathway to verify the therapeutic effect of QJC on diarrhea. First, using the network pharmacology approach, we identified 35 active components and 130 Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) pathways in QJC. From among these, we speculated that quercetin, luteolin, kaempferol, scutellarein, and stigmasterol were the main bioactive compounds and assumed that the anti-diarrhea effect of QJC was related to the PI3K-Akt signaling pathway. The RT-qPCR indicated that QJC and its bioactive components increased the expression levels of PI3K and Akt, inhibited the expression of phosphatase and tensin homolog (PTEN), and activated the PI3K-Akt signaling pathway to relieve stress-induced diarrhea. Furthermore, we found that QJC alleviated the pathological condition of small intestine tissue and improved the integrity of the intestinal barrier. Taken together, our study showed that the traditional Chinese medicine QJC, quercetin, luteolin, kaempferol, scutellarein, and stigmasterol alleviated the pathological condition of small intestine tissue and relieved stress-induced diarrhea by increasing the expression levels of PI3K and Akt and inhibiting the expression levels of PTEN.

An Atypical Autoinflammatory Disease Due to an LRR Domain NLRP3 Mutation Enhancing Binding to NEK7

The NLRP3 inflammasome is a vital mediator of innate immune responses. There are numerous NLRP3 mutations that cause NLRP3-associated autoinflammatory diseases (NLRP3-AIDs), mostly in or around the NACHT domain. Here, we present a patient with a rare leucine-rich repeat (LRR) domain mutation, p.Arg920Gln (p.R920Q), associated with an atypical NLRP3-AID with recurrent episodes of sore throat and extensive oropharyngeal ulceration. Unlike previously reported patients, who responded well to anakinra, her oral ulcers did not significantly improve until the PDE4 inhibitor, apremilast, was added to her treatment regimen. Here, we show that this mutation enhances interactions between NLRP3 and its endogenous inhibitor, NIMA-related kinase 7 (NEK7), by affecting charge complementarity between the two proteins. We also demonstrate that additional inflammatory mediators, including the NF-кB and IL-17 signalling pathways and IL-8 chemokine, are upregulated in the patient’s macrophages and may be directly involved in disease pathogenesis. These results highlight the role of the NLRP3 LRR domain in NLRP3-AIDs and demonstrate that the p.R920Q mutation can cause diverse phenotypes between families.

Mapping Transcriptome Data to Protein-Protein Interaction Networks of Inflammatory Bowel Diseases Reveals Disease-Specific Subnetworks

Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) is the common name for chronic disorders associated with the inflammation of the gastrointestinal tract. IBD is triggered by environmental factors in genetically susceptible individuals and has a significant number of incidences worldwide. Crohn’s disease (CD) and ulcerative colitis (UC) are the two distinct types of IBD. While involvement in ulcerative colitis is limited to the colon, Crohn’s disease may involve the whole gastrointestinal tract. Although these two disorders differ in macroscopic inflammation patterns, they share various molecular pathogenesis, yet the diagnosis can remain unclear, and it is important to reveal their molecular signatures in the network level. Improved molecular understanding may reveal disease type-specific and even individual-specific targets. To this aim, we determine the subnetworks specific to UC and CD by mapping transcriptome data to protein–protein interaction (PPI) networks using two different approaches [KeyPathwayMiner (KPM) and stringApp] and perform the functional enrichment analysis of the resulting disease type-specific subnetworks. TP63 was identified as the hub gene in the UC-specific subnet and p63 tumor protein, being in the same family as p53 and p73, has been studied in literature for the risk associated with colorectal cancer and IBD. APP was identified as the hub gene in the CD-specific subnet, and it has an important role in the pathogenesis of Alzheimer’s disease (AD). This relation suggests that some similar genetic factors may be effective in both AD and CD. Last, in order to understand the biological meaning of these disease-specific subnets, they were functionally enriched. It is important to note that chemokines—special types of cytokines—and antibacterial response are important in UC-specific subnets, whereas cytokines and antimicrobial responses as well as cancer-related pathways are important in CD-specific subnets. Overall, these findings reveal the differences between IBD subtypes at the molecular level and can facilitate diagnosis for UC and CD as well as provide potential molecular targets that are specific to disease subtypes.

Protective Effect of Salvianolic Acid B in Acetic Acid-Induced Experimental Colitis in a Mouse Model

In its prominent experimental studies salvianolic acid B (Sal B) is novel because of its well-defined, common physiological effects, which include anti-inflammatory, anti-depressant, cardioprotective, DNA protective, neuroprotective and hepatoprotective activity in experimental animals. Initially, Sal B was studied for its anti-inflammatory properties, used as a remedy for a wide range of disease conditions, but its specific efficacy on inflammatory bowel disease is still unclear. The aim of this current study was to understand the therapeutic potential of Sal B in an acetic acid (AA)—triggered experimental mouse colitis model. Colitis was triggered by intrarectal injection of 5% AA, and then laboratory animals were given Sal B (10, 20 and 40 μg/kg) for seven days. The ulcerated colonic mucosa was assessed by clinical experiment, macroscopical, biological and histopathological analysis. The results showed depleted SOD, CAT, GSH levels and consequential elevated MPO and MDA levels and aberrant crypt foci and mast cells were seen in the AA-induced colonic mucosa of experimental animals. The data obtained from this study demonstrate that a dose of 40 µg/kg showed an efficacious anti-ulcer effect against AA-induced experimental colitis. Based on its antioxidant efficacy, Sal B may therefore be useful as a therapeutic approach for ulcerative colitis.

Resveratrol Is a Natural Inhibitor of Human Intestinal Mast Cell Activation and Phosphorylation of Mitochondrial ERK1/2 and STAT3

Mast cells play a critical role as main effector cells in allergic and other inflammatory diseases. Usage of anti-inflammatory nutraceuticals could be of interest for affected patients. Resveratrol, a natural polyphenol found in red grapes, is known for its positive properties. Here, we analyzed the effects of resveratrol on FcεRI-mediated activation of mature human mast cells isolated from intestinal tissue (hiMC). Resveratrol inhibited degranulation and expression of cytokines and chemokines such as CXCL8, CCL2, CCL3, CCL4, and TNF-α in a dose-dependent manner. Further, resveratrol inhibited the phosphorylation of extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK) 1/2 and signal transducer and activator of transcription (STAT) 3. ERK1/2 is known to be involved in cytokine expression of hiMC and to directly interact with STAT3. Mitochondrial STAT3 is phosphorylated by ERK1/2 and contributes to mast cell degranulation. We were able to isolate mitochondrial fractions from small hiMC numbers and could show that activation of mitochondrial STAT3 and ERK1/2 in hiMC was also inhibited by resveratrol. Our results indicate that resveratrol inhibits hiMC activation by inhibiting the phosphorylation of mitochondrial and nuclear ERK1/2 and STAT3, and it could be considered as an anti-inflammatory nutraceutical in the treatment of mast cell-associated diseases.

The Keystone commensal bacterium Christensenella minuta DSM 22607 displays anti-inflammatory properties both in vitro and in vivo

Christensenellaceae is a family of subdominant commensal bacteria found in humans. It is thought to play an important role in gut health by maintaining microbial symbiosis. Indeed, these bacteria occur at significantly lower levels or are absent in individuals suffering from inflammatory bowel diseases (IBDs). Here, we explored if type species Christensenella minuta (strain: DSM 22607) could have the potential to help treat IBDs. We assessed key properties displayed by the bacterium using a combination of in vitro and in vivo assays. We found that while C. minuta is a strict anaerobe, it is also oxygen tolerant. Additionally, we observed that the species produces high levels of acetate and moderate levels of butyrate. We performed deep phenotyping using Biolog microarrays. Using human intestinal cell lines, we discovered that C. minuta demonstrated strong anti-inflammatory activity, resulting in reduced levels of proinflammatory IL-8 cytokines via the inhibition of the NF-κB signaling pathway. Furthermore, C. minuta protected intestinal epithelial integrity in vitro. Finally, in two distinct animal models of acute colitis, C. minuta prevented intestinal damage, reduced colonic inflammation, and promoted mucosal healing. Together, these results indicate that C. minuta has potent immunomodulatory properties, underscoring its potential use in innovative microbiome-based IBD biotherapies.