Expression of guanylate cyclase-C, guanylin, and uroguanylin is downregulated proportionally to the ulcerative colitis disease activity index. Sci Rep. 2016;6:25034. [PMID: 27125248 PMCID: PMC4850406 DOI: 10.1038/srep25034]

Epigenetic Insights Into Necrotizing Enterocolitis: Unraveling Methylation-Regulated Biomarkers

Necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC) is a multifactorial gastrointestinal disease with high morbidity and mortality among premature infants. This study aimed to identify novel methylation-regulated biomarkers in NEC intestinal tissue through multiomics analysis. We analyzed DNA methylation and transcriptome datasets from ileum and colon tissues of patients with NEC. We identify methylation-related differential genes (MrDEGs) based on the rule that the degree of methylation in the promoter region is inversely proportional to RNA transcription. These MrDEGs included ADAP1, GUCA2A, BCL2L14, FUT3, MISP, USH1C, ITGA3, UNC93A and IL22RA1. Single-cell data revealed that MrDEGs were mainly located in the intestinal epithelial part of intestinal tissue. These MrDEGs were verified through Target gene bisulfite sequencing and RT-qPCR. We successfully identified and verified the ADAP1, GUCA2A, IL22RA1 and MISP, primarily expressed in intestinal epithelial villus cells through single-cell data. Through single-gene gene set enrichment analysis, we found that these genes participate mainly in the pathological process of T-cell differentiation and the suppression of intestinal inflammation in NEC. This study enhances our understanding of the pathogenesis of NEC and may promote the development of new precision medicine methods for NEC prediction and diagnosis.

GUCY2C signaling limits dopaminergic neuron vulnerability to toxic insults

Mitochondrial dysfunction and reactive oxygen species (ROS) accumulation within the substantia nigra pars compacta (SNpc) are central drivers of dopaminergic (DA) neuron death in Parkinson's disease (PD). Guanylyl cyclases and their second messenger cyclic (c)GMP support mitochondrial function, protecting against ROS and promoting cell survival in several tissues. However, the role of the guanylyl cyclase-cGMP axis in defining the vulnerability of DA neurons in the SNpc in PD remains unclear, in part due to the challenge of manipulating cGMP levels selectively in midbrain DA neurons. In that context, guanylyl cyclase C (GUCY2C), a receptor primarily expressed by intestinal epithelial cells, was discovered recently in midbrain DA neurons. Here, we demonstrate that GUCY2C promotes mitochondrial function, reducing oxidative stress and protecting DA neurons from degeneration in the 1-methyl-4-phenyl- 1,2,3,6-tetrahydropyridine (MPTP) mouse model. GUCY2C is overexpressed in the SNpc in PD patients and in mice treated with MPTP, possibly reflecting a protective response to oxidative stress. Moreover, cGMP signaling protects against oxidative stress, mitochondrial impairment, and cell death in cultured DA neurons. These observations reveal a previously unexpected role for the GUCY2C-cGMP signaling axis in controlling mitochondrial dysfunction and toxicity in SNpc DA neurons, highlighting the therapeutic potential of targeting DA neuron GUCY2C to prevent neurodegeneration in PD.

Qingchang Wenzhong Decoction ameliorates intestinal inflammation and intestinal barrier dysfunction in ulcerative colitis via the GC-C signaling pathway

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE

Ulcerative colitis (UC) is an idiopathic, chronic inflammatory disorder of the colonic mucosa, accompanied with abdominal pain, and bloody diarrhea. Currently, clinical treatment options for UC are limited. Qingchang Wenzhong Decoction (QCWZD) is an effective prescription of traditional Chinese medicine for the treatment of UC. However, the mechanism of QCWZD in alleviating intestinal barrier dysfunction in UC has not been clearly explained.

AIM OF THE STUDY

To determine the mechanism whereby QCWZD promotes the recovery of intestinal barrier dysfunction in UC.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

A secondary analysis of colonic mucosa from UC patients acquired from a prior RCT clinical trial was performed. The effects of QCWZD on intestinal mucus and mechanical barriers in UC patients were evaluated using colon tissue paraffin-embedded sections from UC patients. The mechanism was further investigated by in vivo and in vitro experiments. UC mice were established in sterile water with 3.0% dextran sodium sulfate (DSS). Meanwhile, mice in the treatment group were dosed with QCWZD or mesalazine. In vitro, an intestinal barrier model was constructed using Caco-2 and HT29 cells in co-culture. GC-C plasmid was used to overexpress/knock down GC-C to clarify the target of QCWZD. HE, AB-PAS, ELISA, immunohistochemistry and immunofluorescence assays were used to assess the level of colonic inflammation and intestinal barrier integrity. Rt-qPCR, Western Blot were used to detect the expression of genes and proteins related to GC-C signaling pathway. Molecular docking was used to simulate the binding sites of major components of QCWZD to GC-C.

RESULTS

In UC patients, QCWZD increased mucus secretion, goblet cell number, and promoted MUC2 and ZO-1 expression. QCWZD accelerated the recovery of UC mice from DSS-induced inflammation, including weight gain, reduced disease activity index (DAI) scores, colon length recovery, and histological healing. QCWZD promoted mucus secretion and increased ZO-1 expression in in vivo and in vitro experiments, thereby repairing mucus mechanical barrier damage. The effects of QCWZD are mediated through regulation of the GC-C signaling pathway, which in turn affects CFTR phosphorylation and MUC2 expression to promote mucus secretion, while inhibiting the over-activation of MLCK and repairing tight junctions to maintain the integrity of the mechanical barrier. Molecular docking results demonstrate the binding of the main components of QCWZD to GC-C.

CONCLUSION

Our study demonstrated that QCWZD modulates the GC-C signaling pathway to promote remission of mucus-mechanical barrier damage in the UC. The clarification of the mechanism of QCWZD holds promise for the development of new therapies for UC.

Modulation of the Gut Microbiota by the Plantaricin-Producing Lactiplantibacillus plantarum D13, Analysed in the DSS-Induced Colitis Mouse Model

Lactiplantibacillus plantarum D13 shows antistaphylococcal and antilisterial activity, probably due to the synthesis of a presumptive bacteriocin with antibiofilm capacity released in the cell-free supernatant (CFS), whose inhibitory effect is enhanced by cocultivation with susceptible strains. An in silico analysis of the genome of strain D13 confirmed the pln gene cluster. Genes associated with plantaricin biosynthesis, structure, transport, antimicrobial activity, and immunity of strain D13 were identified. Furthermore, the predicted homology-based 3D structures of the cyclic conformation of PlnE, PlnF, PlnJ, and PlnK revealed that PlnE and PlnK contain two helices, while PlnF and PlnJ contain one and two helices, respectively. The potential of the strain to modulate the intestinal microbiota in healthy or dextran sulphate sodium (DSS)-induced colitis mouse models was also investigated. Strain D13 decreased the disease activity index (DAI) and altered the gut microbiota of mice with DSS-induced colitis by increasing the ratio of beneficial microbial species (Allobaculum, Barnesiella) and decreasing those associated with inflammatory bowel disease (Candidatus Saccharimonas). This suggests that strain D13 helps to restore the gut microbiota after DSS-induced colitis, indicating its potential for further investigation as a probiotic strain for the prevention and treatment of colitis.

GUCY2C signaling limits dopaminergic neuron vulnerability to toxic insults

Mitochondrial dysfunction and reactive oxygen species (ROS) accumulation within the substantia nigra pars compacta (SNpc) are central drivers of dopaminergic (DA) neuron death in Parkinson's disease (PD). Guanylyl cyclases, and their second messengers cyclic (c)GMP, support mitochondrial function, protecting against ROS and promoting cell survival in a number of tissues. However, the role of the guanylyl cyclase-cGMP axis in defining the vulnerability of DA neurons in the SNpc in PD remains unclear, in part due to the challenge of manipulating cGMP levels selectively in midbrain DA neurons. In that context, guanylyl cyclase C (GUCY2C), a receptor primarily expressed by intestinal epithelial cells, was discovered recently in midbrain DA neurons. Here, we demonstrate that GUCY2C promotes mitochondrial function, reducing oxidative stress and protecting DA neurons from degeneration in the 1-methyl-4-phenyl-1,2,3,6-tetrahydropyridine (MPTP) mouse model of neurodegeneration. GUCY2C is overexpressed in the SNpc in PD patients and in mice treated with MPTP, possibly reflecting a protective response to oxidative stress. Moreover, cGMP signaling protects against oxidative stress, mitochondrial impairment, and cell death in cultured DA neurons. These observations reveal a previously unexpected role for the GUCY2C-cGMP signaling axis in controlling mitochondrial dysfunction and toxicity in nigral DA neurons, highlighting the therapeutic potential of targeting DA neuron GUCY2C to prevent neurodegeneration in PD.

Reduced Plasma Guanylin Levels Following Enterotoxigenic Escherichia coli-Induced Diarrhea

The intestinal peptide hormones guanylin (GN) and uroguanylin (UGN) interact with the epithelial cell receptor guanylate cyclase C to regulate fluid homeostasis. Some enterotoxigenic Escherichia coli (ETEC) produce heat-stable enterotoxin (ST), which induces diarrhea by mimicking GN and UGN. Plasma concentrations of prohormones of GN (proGN) and UGN (proUGN) are reportedly decreased during chronic diarrheal diseases. Here we investigate whether prohormone concentrations also drop during acute diarrhea caused by ST-producing ETEC strains TW10722 and TW11681. Twenty-one volunteers were experimentally infected with ETEC. Blood (n = 21) and urine (n = 9) specimens were obtained immediately before and 1, 2, 3, and 7 days after ETEC ingestion. Concentrations of proGN and proUGN were measured by ELISA. Urine electrolyte concentrations were measured by photometry and mass spectrometry. Ten volunteers developed diarrhea (D group), and eleven did not (ND group). In the D group, plasma proGN, but not proUGN, concentrations were substantially reduced on days 2 and 3, coinciding with one day after diarrhea onset. No changes were seen in the ND group. ETEC diarrhea also seemed to affect diuresis, the zinc/creatinine ratio, and sodium and chloride secretion levels in urine. ETEC-induced diarrhea causes a reduction in plasma proGN and could potentially be a useful marker for intestinal isotonic fluid loss.

Circulating Profiles of Serum Proguanylin, S100A12 Protein and Pentraxin 3 as Diagnostic Markers of Ulcerative Colitis

The aim of this research was to investigate potential new biomarkers which could be used in the clinical practice of ulcerative colitis (UC). Given the crucial role of intestinal barrier integrity and inflammation in the pathogenesis of UC, the serum profile of proteins linked to intestinal barrier and pro-inflammatory neutrophil products may be useful in diagnosing and monitoring the activity of the disease. We measured serum levels of proguanylin (pro-GN), S100A12, and pentraxin 3 (PTX3) in 31 patients with UC before and after a year of biological treatment, as well as in 20 healthy individuals. Significant differences in the serum profiles of pro-GN (5.27 vs. 11.35, p < 0.001), S100A12 (39.36 vs. 19.74, p < 0.001) and PTX3 (3197.05 vs. 1608.37, p < 0.001) were observed between pre-treatment patients with UC and healthy individuals. Furthermore, in UC patients prior to treatment, the levels of S100A12 (p < 0.0005; r = 0.628) and PTX3 (p < 0.05; r = 0.371) were correlated with disease activity as measured by the Mayo scale. Following a year of biological treatment with adalimumab, the concentration of pro-GN significantly increased (5.27 vs. 6.68, p < 0.005) in the blood of UC patients, while the level of PTX-3 decreased (3197.05 vs. 1946.4, p < 0.0001). Our study demonstrates the usefulness of pro-GN, S100A12, and PTX3 measurements in diagnosing and monitoring the activity of UC.

Effect of guanylin peptides on pancreas steatosis and function in experimental diet-induced obesity and after bariatric surgery

Introduction

Obesity contributes to ectopic fat deposition in non-adipose organs, including the pancreas. Pancreas steatosis associates with inflammation and β-cell dysfunction, contributing to the onset of insulin resistance and type 2 diabetes. An improvement of pancreatic steatosis and indices of insulin resistance is observed following bariatric surgery, but the underlying mechanisms remain unknown. We sought to analyze whether guanylin (GUCA2A) and uroguanylin (GUCA2B), two gut hormones involved in the regulation of satiety, food preference and adiposity, are involved in the amelioration of pancreas fat accumulation after bariatric surgery.

Methods

Pancreas steatosis, inflammation, islet number and area were measured in male Wistar rats with diet-induced obesity (n=125) subjected to surgical (sham operation and sleeve gastrectomy) or dietary (pair-fed to the amount of food eaten by gastrectomized animals) interventions. The tissue distribution of guanylate cyclase C (GUCY2C) and the expression of the guanylin system were evaluated in rat pancreata by real-time PCR, Western-blot and immunohistochemistry. The effect of guanylin and uroguanylin on factors involved in insulin secretion and lipogenesis was determined in vitro in RIN-m5F β-cells exposed to lipotoxic conditions.

Results

Sleeve gastrectomy reduced pancreas steatosis and inflammation and improved insulin sensitivity and synthesis. An upregulation of GUCA2A and GUCY2C, but not GUCA2B, was observed in pancreata from rats with diet-induced obesity one month after sleeve gastrectomy. Interestingly, both guanylin and uroguanylin diminished the lipotoxicity in palmitate-treated RIN-m5F β-cells, evidenced by lower steatosis and downregulated lipogenic factors Srebf1, Mogat2 and Dgat1. Both guanylin peptides reduced insulin synthesis (Ins1 and Ins2) and release from RIN-m5F β-cells, but only guanylin upregulated Wnt4, a factor that controls β-cell proliferation and function.

Discussion

Together, sleeve gastrectomy reduced pancreatic steatosis and improved β-cell function. Several mechanisms, including the modulation of inflammation and lipogenesis as well as the upregulation of GUCA2A in the pancreas, might explain this beneficial effect of bariatric surgery.

Network pharmacology-based identification of bioavailable anti-inflammatory agents from Psoralea corylifolia L. in an experimental colitis model

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE

In traditional oriental medicine, the dried seeds of Psoralea corylifolia L. (PC) have been used to treat various diseases, including gastrointestinal, urinary, orthopedic, diarrheal, ulcer, and inflammatory disorders.

AIM OF THE STUDY

Although its various biological properties are well-known, there is no information on the therapeutic effects and bioavailable components of PC against inflammatory bowel disease. Therefore, we focused on the relationship between hydroethanolic extract of PC (EPC) that ameliorates colitis in mice and bioactive constituents of EPC that suppress pro-inflammatory cytokines in macrophages.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

We investigated the therapeutic effects of EPC in a dextran sulfate sodium-induced colitis mouse model and identified the orally absorbed components of EPC using UPLC-MS/MS analysis. In addition, we evaluated and validated the mechanism of action of the bioavailable constituents of EPC using network pharmacology analysis. The effects on nitric oxide (NO) and inflammatory cytokines were measured by Griess reagent and enzyme linked immunosorbent assay in lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced macrophages.

RESULTS

In experimental colitis, EPC improved body weight loss, colon length shortening, and disease activity index. Moreover, EPC reduced the serum levels of pro-inflammatory cytokines and histopathological damage to the colon. Network pharmacological analysis identified 13 phytochemicals that were bioavailable following oral administration of EPC, as well as their potential anti-inflammatory effects. 11 identified EPC constituents markedly reduced the overproduction of NO, tumor necrosis factor-α, and/or interleukin-6 in macrophages induced by LPS. The LPS-induced expression of the nuclear factor kappa-light-chain-enhancer of activated B cells reporter gene was reduced by the 4 EPC constituents.

CONCLUSIONS

The results indicate that the protective activity of EPC against colitis is a result of the additive effects of each constituent on the expression of inflammatory cytokines. Therefore, it suggests that 11 bioavailable phytochemicals of EPC could aid in the management of intestinal inflammation, and also provides useful insights into the clinical application of PC for the treatment of inflammatory bowel diseases.

Guanylyl cyclase C as a diagnostic and therapeutic target in colorectal cancer

Colorectal cancer remains a major cause of mortality in the USA, despite advances in prevention and screening. Existing therapies focus primarily on generic treatment such as surgical intervention and chemotherapy, depending on disease severity. As personalized medicine and targeted molecular oncology continue to develop as promising treatment avenues, there has emerged a need for effective targets and biomarkers of colorectal cancer. The transmembrane receptor guanylyl cyclase C (GUCY2C) regulates intestinal homeostasis and has emerged as a tumor suppressor. Further, it is universally expressed in advanced metastatic colorectal tumors, as well as other cancer types that arise through intestinal metaplasia. In this context, GUCY2C satisfies many characteristics of a compelling target and biomarker for gastrointestinal malignancies.

A potent HNF4α agonist reveals that HNF4α controls genes important in inflammatory bowel disease and Paneth cells

HNF4α has been implicated in IBD through a number of genome-wide association studies. Recently, we developed potent HNF4α agonists, including N-trans caffeoyltyramine (NCT). NCT was identified by structural similarity to previously the previously identified but weak HNF4α agonists alverine and benfluorex. Here, we administered NCT to mice fed a high fat diet, with the goal of studying the role of HNF4α in obesity-related diseases. Intestines from NCT-treated mice were examined by RNA-seq to determine the role of HNF4α in that organ. Surprisingly, the major classes of genes altered by HNF4α were involved in IBD and Paneth cell biology. Multiple genes downregulated in IBD were induced by NCT. Paneth cells identified by lysozyme expression were reduced in high fat fed mice. NCT reversed the effect of high fat diet on Paneth cells, with multiple markers being induced, including a number of defensins, which are critical for Paneth cell function and intestinal barrier integrity. NCT upregulated genes that play important role in IBD and that are downregulated in that disease. It reversed the loss of Paneth cell markers that occurred in high fat diet fed mice. These data suggest that HNF4α could be a therapeutic target for IBD and that the agonists that we have identified could be candidate therapeutics.

Guanylin ligand protects the intestinal immune barrier by activating the guanylate cyclase-C signaling pathway

Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) impacts patient quality of life significantly. The dysfunction of intestinal immune barrier is closely associated with IBD. The guanylate cyclase-C (GC-C) signaling pathway activated by the guanylin (Gn) ligand is involved in the occurrence and development of IBD. However, how it regulates the intestinal immune barrier is still unclear. To investigate the effect of the GC-C pathway on intestinal mucosal immunity and provide experimental basis for seeking new therapeutic strategies for IBD, we focused on Caco-2 cells and intestinal intra-epithelial lymphocytes (IELs), which displayed inflammatory responses induced by lipopolysaccharide (LPS). GC-C activity was modulated by transfection with Gn overexpression or GC-C shRNA plasmid. Levels of Gn, GC-C, and CFTR; transepithelial electrical resistance (TER); paracellula r permeability; and levels of IL-2, IFN-γ, and secretory IgA (sIgA) were examined. The study found that after stimulation with LPS, Gn, GC-C, CFTR, TER, and sIgA levels were all significantly reduced, IL-2 and IFN-γ levels as well as paracellular permeability were significantly increased. These indicators changed inversely and significantly after transfection with the Gn overexpression vector. Compared to the vector controls, GC-C-silenced cells displayed significantly decreased levels of GC-C, CFTR, and TER and increased levels of IL-2, IFN-γ, and paracellular permeability stimulated by LPS. The results show that Gn ligand can protect the intestinal immune barrier by activating the GC-C signaling pathway, which may be helpful for the development of new treatments for IBD. DATA AVAILABILITY STATEMENT: The data used to support the findings of this study are available from the corresponding author upon request.

Gut-associated cGMP mediates colitis and dysbiosis in a mouse model of an activating mutation in GUCY2C

Activating mutations in receptor guanylyl cyclase C (GC-C), the target of gastrointestinal peptide hormones guanylin and uroguanylin, and bacterial heat-stable enterotoxins cause early-onset diarrhea and chronic inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). GC-C regulates ion and fluid secretion in the gut via cGMP production and activation of cGMP-dependent protein kinase II. We characterize a novel mouse model harboring an activating mutation in Gucy2c equivalent to that seen in an affected Norwegian family. Mutant mice demonstrated elevated intestinal cGMP levels and enhanced fecal water and sodium content. Basal and linaclotide-mediated small intestinal transit was higher in mutant mice, and they were more susceptible to DSS-induced colitis. Fecal microbiome and gene expression analyses of colonic tissue revealed dysbiosis, up-regulation of IFN-stimulated genes, and misregulation of genes associated with human IBD and animal models of colitis. This novel mouse model thus provides molecular insights into the multiple roles of intestinal epithelial cell cGMP, which culminate in dysbiosis and the induction of inflammation in the gut.

[Changes of guanylate cyclase C in colon tissues of rats with intestinal injury associated with severe acute pancreatitis]

OBJECTIVE

To explore the dynamic changes of guanylate cyclase C (GC-C) in the colon tissues of rats with intestinal injury associated with severe acute pancreatitis (SAP).

OBJECTIVE

Thirty-six SD rats were randomized equally into two groups to receive either sham operation or retrograde pumping of 5% sodium taurocholate (0.1 mL/100 g) into the pancreaticobiliary duct following laparotomy to induce SAP. At 12, 24, and 48 h after modeling, 6 rats from each group were euthanized and the colon tissues were collected for Western blotting, immunohistochemistry and RT-PCR to determine the changes in GC-C expression, and the lowest GC-C expression was deemed to indicate the most serious intestinal injury and the time window for intervention. Another 18 SD rats were randomized into 3 groups for sham operation, SAP modeling or intragastric administration of linaclotide (a GC-C agonist) solution once daily at the dose of 10 μg/kg. At 12 h after modeling, the pathological changes in the pancreas and colon were observed with HE staining; the serum level of AMY, DAO, D-Lac and TNF-α were measured with ELISA, and the expressions of GC-C and claudin-1 were detected using Western blotting, immunohistochemical and transmission electron microscopy.

OBJECTIVE

The expression of GC-C was significantly reduced in the colon of rats in SAP group, and its lowest expression occurred at 12 h after modeling (P < 0.05) followed by gradual increase over time. Claudin-1 showed a similar trend in the colon. Compared with the sham-operated rats, the rats in SAP and Linaclotide groups showed significantly increased pathological scores of the colon tissues (P < 0.05) and serum levels of AMY, DAO, D-Lac and TNF-α and decreased expressions of GC-C and claudin-1 in the colon (P < 0.05). Compared with those in SAP group, the rats in linaclotide group had significantly lower colonic histopathological scores, lower serum levels of AMY, DAO, D-Lac and TNF-α, and higher expression levels of GC-C and claudin-1 in the colon tissue.

OBJECTIVE

In rats with SAP-related intestinal injury, the expression of GC-C in the colon tissue decreases to the lowest level at 12 h after SAP onset followed by gradual increase. activating GC-C can increase the expression levels of GC-C and claudin-1 and alleviate intestinal injury, suggesting the role of GC-C in maintaining intestinal barrier integrity by regulating the expression of tight junction proteins.

PDE9 Inhibitor PF-04447943 Attenuates DSS-Induced Colitis by Suppressing Oxidative Stress, Inflammation, and Regulating T-Cell Polarization

Ulcerative colitis (UC) is a form of inflammatory bowel disease, which manifests as irritation or swelling and sores in the large intestine in a relapsing and remitting manner. In a dextran sulfate sodium sulfate (DSS)-induced UC model in female mice, we found that the levels of cyclic guanosine monophosphate (cGMP) are reduced, while the expression of phosphodiesterase 9A (PDE9A) is highest among all phosphodiesterase (PDEs). Since PDE9 has the highest affinity toward cGMP, we evaluated the selective PDE9 inhibitor PF-04447943 (PF) as a potential candidate for UC treatment. PF has been extensively studies in cognitive function and in sickle cell disease, but not in models for inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). Therefore, we used female C57BL/6 mice treated with 3% DSS alone or co-treated with PF or sulfasalazine (SASP) to study the body weight, colon length, histopathology, and measure superoxide dismutase (SOD), malondialdehyde (MDA), and cGMP level, as well as cytokines such as tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α), interleukin-6 (IL-6), interleukin-17 (IL-17), interleukin-12/23 (IL-12/23), interleukin-10 (IL-10), and pathways including nuclear factor kappa B (NF-κB), signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 (STAT3), and inflammasome activation. In addition, the number of dendritic cells (DC) and regulatory T cells (Treg cell) was assessed in the spleen, lymph node, and colon using flow cytometry. DSS reduced the number of goblet cells, decreased colon lengths and body weights, all of them were attenuated by PF treatment. It also suppressed the elevated level of inflammatory cytokines and increased level the anti-inflammatory cytokine, IL-10. PF treatment also reduced the DSS-induced inflammation by suppressing oxidative stress, NF-κB, STAT3, and inflammasome activation, by upregulating nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2 (Nrf-2) and its downstream proteins via extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK) phosphorylation. Importantly, PF reversed imbalance in Treg/T helper 17 cells (Th17) cells ratio, possibly by regulating dendritic cells and Treg developmental process. In summary, this study shows the protective effect of a PDE9A inhibitor in ulcerative colitis by suppressing oxidative stress and inflammation as well as reversing the Treg/Th17 cells imbalance.

Elevated Extracellular cGMP Produced after Exposure to Enterotoxigenic Escherichia coli Heat-Stable Toxin Induces Epithelial IL-33 Release and Alters Intestinal Immunity

Enterotoxigenic Escherichia coli (ETEC) is a major diarrheal pathogen in children in low- to middle-income countries. Previous studies identified heat-stable enterotoxin (ST)-producing ETEC as a prevalent diarrheal pathogen in children younger than 5 years.

Enterotoxigenic Escherichia coli (ETEC) is a major diarrheal pathogen in children in low- to middle-income countries. Previous studies identified heat-stable enterotoxin (ST)-producing ETEC as a prevalent diarrheal pathogen in children younger than 5 years. While many studies have evaluated the interaction of ETEC heat-labile enterotoxin (LT) with host epithelium and immunity, few investigations have attempted similar studies with ST. To further understand ST pathogenesis, we examined the impact of ST on cGMP localization, epithelial cell cytokine production, and antibody development following immunization. In addition to robust intracellular cGMP in T84 cells in the presence of phosphodiesterase inhibitors (PDEis) that prevent the breakdown of cyclic nucleotides, we found that prolonged ST intoxication induced extracellular cGMP accumulation in the presence or absence of PDEis. Further, ST intoxication induced luminal cGMP in vivo in mice, suggesting that secreted cGMP may have other cellular functions. Using transcriptome sequencing (RNA-seq) and quantitative PCR (qPCR), we demonstrated that ST intoxication, or treatment with the clinically used ST mimic linaclotide, altered inflammatory cytokine gene expression, including the interleukin 1 (IL-1) family member IL-33, which could also be induced by cell-permeative 8-Br-cGMP. Finally, when present during immunization, ST suppressed induction of antibodies to specific antigens. In conclusion, our studies indicate that ST modulates epithelial cell physiology and the interplay between the epithelial and immune compartments.

Correlation of Hypoxia-inducible facto-1α and C-reactive protein with disease evaluation in patients with ulcerative colitis

OBJECTIVE

To investigate the expression levels of hypoxia-inducible factor-1α (HIF-1α) and C-reactive protein (CRP) in patients with ulcerative colitis and correlations of HIF-1α and CRP levels with disease severity.

METHODS

A total of 82 patients with confirmed ulcerative colitis were enrolled in this study and according to the disease severity grading, these patients were assigned into three groups: mild group (n=25), moderate group (n=31) and severe group (n=26). And other 30 patients without ulcerative colitis as demonstrated by colonoscopy examination were enrolled in control group in the same period. HIF-1α and CRP levels were detected by ELISA and Real-time PCR and compared among different groups. Pearson's correlation analysis was performed to evaluate the correlations of HIF-1α and CRP levels with disease severity. Logistic regression analysis was used to explore risk factors of disease severity in patients with ulcerative colitis.

RESULTS

The expression levels of HIF-1α and CRP in ulcerative colitis group were significantly higher than those in control group (all P<0.001). The levels of HIF-1α and CRP in patients with ulcerative colitis increased remarkably with the increase of disease severity. Patients in mild group had the lowest levels of HIF-1α and CRP, while patients in severe group had the highest levels of HIF-1α and CRP. Logistic regression analysis showed that the expression of HIF-1α and CRP were the risk factors for disease severity of ulcerative colitis (all P<0.001). And Pearson correlation analysis showed that HIF-1α and CRP levels were significantly associated with Rachmilewitz score and disease activity index (DAI), respectively (all P<0.001).

CONCLUSION

The levels of HIF-1α and CRP were up-regulated in patients with ulcerative colitis and positively correlated with the progression of ulcerative colitis, indicating that the detection of HIF-1α and CRP expression could be used for predicting the disease severity.

An update on guanylyl cyclase C in the diagnosis, chemoprevention, and treatment of colorectal cancer

Introduction: Colorectal cancer remains the second leading cause of cancer death in the United States, underscoring the need for novel therapies. Despite the successes of new targeted agents for other cancers, colorectal cancer suffers from a relative scarcity of actionable biomarkers. In this context, the intestinal receptor, guanylyl cyclase C (GUCY2C), has emerged as a promising target.Areas covered: GUCY2C regulates a tumor-suppressive signaling axis that is silenced through loss of its endogenous ligands at the earliest stages of tumorigenesis. A body of literature supports a cancer chemoprevention strategy involving reactivation of GUCY2C through FDA-approved cGMP-elevating agents such as linaclotide, plecanatide, and sildenafil. Its limited expression in extra-intestinal tissues, and retention on the surface of cancer cells, also positions GUCY2C as a target for immunotherapies to treat metastatic disease, including vaccines, chimeric antigen receptor T-cells, and antibody-drug conjugates. Likewise, GUCY2C mRNA identifies metastatic cells, enhancing colorectal cancer detection, and staging. Pre-clinical and clinical programs exploring these GUCY2C-targeting strategies will be reviewed.Expert opinion: Recent mechanistic insights characterizing GUCY2C ligand loss early in tumorigenesis, coupled with results from the first clinical trials testing GUCY2C-targeting strategies, continue to elevate GUCY2C as an ideal target for prevention, detection, and therapy.

Understanding human gut diseases at single-cell resolution

Our understanding of gut functioning and pathophysiology has grown considerably in the past decades, and advancing technologies enable us to deepen this understanding. Single-cell RNA sequencing (scRNA-seq) has opened a new realm of cellular diversity and transcriptional variation in the human gut at a high, single-cell resolution. ScRNA-seq has pushed the science of the digestive system forward by characterizing the function of distinct cell types within complex intestinal cellular environments, by illuminating the heterogeneity within specific cell populations and by identifying novel cell types in the human gut that could contribute to a variety of intestinal diseases. In this review, we highlight recent discoveries made with scRNA-seq that significantly advance our understanding of the human gut both in health and across the spectrum of gut diseases, including inflammatory bowel disease, colorectal carcinoma and celiac disease.

Silencing the intestinal GUCY2C tumor suppressor axis requires APC loss of heterozygosity

Most sporadic colorectal cancer reflects acquired mutations in the adenomatous polyposis coli (APC) tumor suppressor gene, while germline heterozygosity for mutant APC produces the autosomal dominant disorder Familial Adenomatous Polyposis (FAP) with a predisposition to colorectal cancer. In these syndromes, loss of heterozygosity (LOH) silences the remaining normal allele of APC, through an unknown mechanism, as the initiating step in transformation. Guanylyl cyclase C receptor (GUCY2C) and its hormones, uroguanylin and guanylin, have emerged as a key signaling axis opposing mutations driving intestinal tumorigenesis. Indeed, uroguanylin and guanylin are among the most commonly repressed genes in colorectal cancer. Here, we explored the role of APC heterozygosity in mechanisms repressing hormone expression which could contribute to LOH. In genetic mouse models of APC loss, uroguanylin and guanylin expression were quantified following monoallelic or biallelic deletion of the Apc gene. Induced biallelic loss of APC repressed uroguanylin and guanylin expression. However, monoallelic APC loss in Apc^min/+ mice did not alter hormone expression. Similarly, in FAP patients, normal colonic mucosa (monoallelic APC loss) expressed guanylin while adenomas and an invasive carcinoma (biallelic APC loss) were devoid of hormone expression. Thus, uroguanylin and guanylin expression by normal intestinal epithelial cells persists in the context of APC heterozygosity and is lost only after tumor initiation by APC LOH. These observations reveal a role for loss of the hormones silencing the GUCY2C axis in tumor progression following biallelic APC loss, but not in mechanisms creating the genetic vulnerability in epithelial cells underlying APC LOH initiating tumorigenesis.

Plasma levels of guanylins are reduced in patients with Crohn's disease

Background: Guanylin (GN) and uroguanylin (UGN) are endogenous ligands for the intestinal receptor guanylate cyclase C (GC-C), an important regulator of intestinal fluid homeostasis. Gene expression and protein levels of GN are suppressed in inflamed intestinal tissue from patients with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), but knowledge about plasma levels of guanylins in these conditions is sparse. We aimed to investigate the fasting plasma levels of the prohormones proGN and proUGN in patients with Crohn's Disease (CD) and relate these to levels found in persons with other diarrheal conditions, as well as persons with normal bowel habits.Methods: Plasma from patients with CD, patients with Familial GUCY2C Diarrheal Disease (FGDS), diarrhea-predominant irritable bowel syndrome (IBS-D) and healthy controls (HC) was analyzed using ELISA assays.Results: Significantly lower fasting plasma levels of proguanylins were found in CD and FGDS patients, compared to HC. In CD patients, plasma proGN levels correlated negatively with Harvey Bradshaw Index and with number of stools/24 h.Conclusion: Our data indicate that diarrhea may be a determinant for levels of proGN in plasma, and should be further explored in studies of different diarrheal disorders.

Immunizations with Enterotoxigenic Escherichia coli Heat-Stable Toxin Conjugates Engender Toxin-Neutralizing Antibodies in Mice That Also Cross-React with Guanylin and Uroguanylin

Infection with enterotoxigenic Escherichia coli (ETEC) is a common cause of childhood diarrhea in low- and middle-income countries, as well as of diarrhea among travelers to these countries. In children, ETEC strains secreting the heat-stable toxin (ST) are the most pathogenic, and there are ongoing efforts to develop vaccines that target ST. One important challenge for ST vaccine development is to construct immunogens that do not elicit antibodies that cross-react with guanylin and uroguanylin, which are endogenous peptides involved in regulating the activity of the guanylate cyclase-C (GC-C) receptor. We immunized mice with both human ST (STh) and porcine ST (STp) chemically coupled to bovine serum albumin, and the resulting sera neutralized the toxic activities of both STh and STp. This suggests that a vaccine based on either ST variant can confer cross-protection. However, several anti-STh and anti-STp sera cross-reacted with the endogenous peptides, suggesting that the ST sequence must be altered to reduce the risk of unwanted cross-reactivity. Epitope mapping of four monoclonal anti-STh and six anti-STp antibodies, all of which neutralized both STh and STp, revealed that most epitopes appear to have at least one amino acid residue shared with guanylin or uroguanylin. Despite this, only one monoclonal antibody displayed demonstrable cross-reactivity to the endogenous peptides, suggesting that targeted mutations of a limited number of ST residues may be sufficient to obtain a safe ST-based vaccine.

Genetic and transcriptional analysis of inflammatory bowel disease-associated pathways in patients with GUCY2C-linked familial diarrhea

OBJECTIVE

Activating mutations in the GUCY2C gene, which encodes the epithelial receptor guanylate cyclase C, cause diarrhea due to increased loss of sodium chloride to the intestinal lumen. Patients with familial GUCY2C diarrhea syndrome (FGDS) are predisposed to inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). We investigated whether genes in the guanylate cyclase C pathway are enriched for association with IBD and reversely whether genetic or transcriptional changes associated with IBD are found in FGDS patients.

METHODS

(1) A set of 27 genes from the guanylate cyclase C pathway was tested for enrichment of association with IBD by Gene Set Enrichment Analysis, using genome-wide association summary statistics from 12,882 IBD patients and 21,770 controls. (2) We genotyped 163 known IBD risk loci and sequenced NOD2 in 22 patients with FGDS. Eight of them had concomitant Crohn's disease. (3) Global gene expression analysis was performed in ileal tissue from patients with FGDS, Crohn's disease and healthy individuals.

RESULTS

The guanylate cyclase C gene set showed a significant enrichment of association in IBD genome-wide association data. Risk variants in NOD2 were found in 7/8 FGDS patients with concomitant Crohn's disease and in 2/14 FDGS patients without Crohn's disease. In ileal tissue, downregulation of metallothioneins characterized FGDS patients compared to healthy controls.

CONCLUSIONS

Our results support a role of guanylate cyclase C signaling and disturbed electrolyte homeostasis in development of IBD. Furthermore, downregulation of metallothioneins in the ileal mucosa of FGDS patients may contribute to IBD development, possibly alongside effects from NOD2 risk variants.

Ganoderma lucidum polysaccharide improves rat DSS-induced colitis by altering cecal microbiota and gene expression of colonic epithelial cells

Background

The effects of β-glucan on colitis mice are contradictory in previous reports. As a result, it is still unclear whether there is an anti-colitis effect in Ganoderma lucidum polysaccharide (GLP), which is mainly composed of β-glucan. Moreover, the association between GLP function and gut microbiota remains to be elucidated.

Objective

This study aimed to investigate whether GLP consumption improved rat dextran sodium sulfate (DSS)-induced colitis by regulating gut microbiota and altering colonic epithelial expression.

Design

The disease activity index (DAI) scores and the cecal short chain fatty acid (SCFA) levels of DSS-induced colitis rats fed with a GLP diet (Group GLP, n = 6) and a control diet (Group Con, n = 6) were investigated and analyzed. Moreover, the profiles of gut microbiota and colonic epithelial expression were analyzed using metagenomics and transcriptomics.

Results

GLP consumption significantly lowered animal DAI scores by producing more SCFAs by increasing SCFA-producing bacteria such as Ruminococcus_1 and reducing pathogens such as Escherichia-Shigella in both the small intestine and cecum of rat. Moreover, GLP consumption regulated 11 genes, including six upregulated (Ccl5, Cd3e, Cd8a, Il21r, Lck, and Trbv) and five downregulated (Ccl3, Gro, Il11, Mhc2, and Ptgs) genes enriched in six inflammation-related Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) pathways, resulting in enhancement of immunity and reduction of inflammatory response and colonic cancer risk.

Conclusions

GLP consumption alleviated DSS-induced colitis and may have potential for ulcerative colitis relief.

Development of an enterotoxigenic Escherichia coli vaccine based on the heat-stable toxin

Infection with enterotoxigenic Escherichia coli (ETEC) is an important cause of diarrhea-related illness and death among children under 5 years of age in low– and middle-income countries (LMIC). Recent studies have found that it is the ETEC subtypes that produce the heat-stable enterotoxin (ST), irrespective of whether they also secrete the heat-labile enterotoxin (LT), which contribute most importantly to the disease burden in children from LMIC. Therefore, adding an ST toxoid would importantly complement ongoing ETEC vaccine development efforts. The ST’s potent toxicity, its structural similarity to the endogenous peptides guanylin and uroguanylin, and its poor immunogenicity have all complicated the advancement of ST-based vaccine development. Recent remarkable progress, however, including the unprecedented screening for optimal ST mutants, mapping of cross-reacting ST epitopes and improved ST-carrier coupling strategies (bioconjugation and genetic fusion), enables the rational design of safe, immunogenic, and well-defined ST-based vaccine candidates.

Guanylate cyclase-C as a therapeutic target in gastrointestinal disorders

Functional gastrointestinal disorders (FGIDs) and IBDs are two of the most prevalent disorders of the GI tract and consume a significant proportion of healthcare resources. Recent studies have shown that membrane-bound guanylate cyclase-C (GC-C) receptors lining the GI tract may serve as novel therapeutic targets in the treatment of FGIDs and IBDs. GC-C receptor activation by its endogenous paracrine hormones uroguanylin and guanylin, and the resulting intracellular production of its downstream effector cyclic GMP, occurs in a pH-dependent manner and modulates key physiological functions. These include fluid and electrolyte homeostasis, maintenance of the intestinal barrier, anti-inflammatory activity and regulation of epithelial regeneration. Studies of the GC-C paracrine signalling axis have revealed the therapeutic potential of these receptors in treating GI disorders, including chronic idiopathic constipation and irritable bowel syndrome-constipation. This review focuses on the evolving understanding of GC-C function in health and disease, and strategies for translating these principles into new treatments for FGIDs and IBDs.

Oral treatment with plecanatide or dolcanatide attenuates visceral hypersensitivity via activation of guanylate cyclase-C in rat models

AIM

To investigate the effects of plecanatide and dolcanatide on maintenance of paracellular permeability, integrity of tight junctions and on suppression of visceral hypersensitivity.

METHODS

Transport of fluorescein isothiocyanate (FITC)-dextran was measured to assess permeability across cell monolayers and rat colon tissues. Effects of plecanatide and dolcanatide on the integrity of tight junctions in Caco-2 and T84 monolayers and on the expression and localization of occludin and zonula occludens-1 (ZO-1) were examined by immunofluorescence microscopy. Anti-nociceptive activity of these agonists was evaluated in trinitrobenzene sulfonic acid (TNBS)-induced inflammatory as well as in non-inflammatory partial restraint stress (PRS) rat models. Statistical significance between the treatment groups in the permeability studies were evaluated using unpaired t-tests.

RESULTS

Treatment of T84 and Caco-2 monolayers with lipopolysaccharide (LPS) rapidly increased permeability, which was effectively suppressed when monolayers were also treated with plecanatide or dolcanatide. Similarly, when T84 and Caco-2 monolayers were treated with LPS, cell surface localization of tight junction proteins occludin and ZO-1 was severely disrupted. When cell monolayers were treated with LPS in the presence of plecanatide or dolcanatide, occludin and ZO-1 were localized at the cell surface of adjoining cells, similar to that observed for vehicle treated cells. Treatment of cell monolayers with plecanatide or dolcanatide without LPS did not alter permeability, integrity of tight junctions and cell surface localization of either of the tight junction proteins. In rat visceral hypersensitivity models, both agonists suppressed the TNBS-induced increase in abdominal contractions in response to colorectal distension without affecting the colonic wall elasticity, and both agonists also reduced colonic hypersensitivity in the PRS model.

CONCLUSION

Our results suggest that activation of GC-C signaling might be involved in maintenance of barrier function, possibly through regulating normal localization of tight junction proteins. Consistent with these findings, plecanatide and dolcanatide showed potent anti-nociceptive activity in rat visceral hypersensitivity models. These results imply that activation of GC-C signaling may be an attractive therapeutic approach to treat functional constipation disorders and inflammatory gastrointestinal conditions.

Absence of Receptor Guanylyl Cyclase C Enhances Ileal Damage and Reduces Cytokine and Antimicrobial Peptide Production during Oral Salmonella enterica Serovar Typhimurium Infection

Nontyphoidal Salmonella disease contributes toward significant morbidity and mortality across the world. Host factors, including gamma interferon, tumor necrosis factor alpha, and gut microbiota, significantly influence the outcome of Salmonella pathogenesis. However, the entire repertoire of host protective mechanisms contributing to Salmonella pathogenicity is not completely appreciated. Here, we investigated the roles of receptor guanylyl cyclase C (GC-C), which is predominantly expressed in the intestine and regulates intestinal cell proliferation and fluid-ion homeostasis. Mice deficient in GC-C (Gucy2c^-/-) displayed accelerated mortality compared with that for wild-type mice following infection via the oral route, even though both groups possessed comparable systemic Salmonella infection burdens. Survival following intraperitoneal infection remained similar in both groups, indicating that GC-C offered protection via a gut-mediated response. The serum cortisol level was higher in Gucy2c^-/- mice than wild-type (Gucy2c^+/+) mice, and an increase in infection-induced thymic atrophy with a loss of immature CD4⁺ CD8⁺ double-positive thymocytes was observed. Accelerated and enhanced damage in the ileum, including submucosal edema, epithelial cell damage, focal tufting, and distortion of the villus architecture, was seen in Gucy2c^-/- mice concomitantly with a larger number of ileal tissue-associated bacteria. Transcription of key mediators of Salmonella-induced inflammation (interleukin-22/Reg3β) was altered in Gucy2c^-/- mice in comparison to that in Gucy2c^+/+ mice. A reduction in fecal lactobacilli, which are protective against Salmonella infection, was observed in Gucy2c^-/- mice. Gucy2c^-/- mice cohoused with wild-type mice continued to show reduced amounts of lactobacilli and increased susceptibility to infection. Our study, therefore, suggests that the receptor GC-C confers a survival advantage during gut-mediated Salmonella enterica serovar Typhimurium pathogenesis, presumably by regulating Salmonella effector mechanisms and maintaining a beneficial microbiome.

Uroguanylin: a new actor in the energy balance movie

Uroguanylin (UGN) is a potential target in the fight against obesity. The mature protein is released after enzymatic cleavage from its natural precursor, proUGN. UGN is mostly produced in the gut, and its production is regulated by nutritional status. However, UGN is also produced in other tissues such as the kidneys. In the past, UGN has been widely studied as a natriuretic peptide owing to its involvement in several different pathologies such as heart failure, cancer and gastrointestinal diseases. However, recent studies have suggested that UGN also acts as a regulator of body weight homeostasis because it modulates both food intake and energy expenditure. This ultimately results in a decrease in body weight. This action is mediated by the sympathetic nervous system. Future studies should be directed at the potential effects of UGN agonists in regulating body weight in human obesity.

Secretome of Intestinal Bacilli: A Natural Guard against Pathologies

Current studies of human gut microbiome usually do not consider the special functional role of transient microbiota, although some of its members remain in the host for a long time and produce broad spectrum of biologically active substances. Getting into the gastrointestinal tract (GIT) with food, water and probiotic preparations, two representatives of Bacilli class, genera Bacillus and Lactobacillus, colonize epithelium blurring the boundaries between resident and transient microbiota. Despite their minor proportion in the microbiome composition, these bacteria can significantly affect both the intestinal microbiota and the entire body thanks to a wide range of secreted compounds. Recently, insufficiency and limitations of pure genome-based analysis of gut microbiota became known. Thus, the need for intense functional studies is evident. This review aims to characterize the Bacillus and Lactobacillus in GIT, as well as the functional roles of the components released by these members of microbial intestinal community. Complex of their secreted compounds is referred by us as the "bacillary secretome." The composition of the bacillary secretome, its biological effects in GIT and role in counteraction to infectious diseases and oncological pathologies in human organism is the subject of the review.

Guanylyl cyclase C signaling axis and colon cancer prevention

Colorectal cancer (CRC) is a major cause of cancer-related mortality and morbidity worldwide. While improved treatments have enhanced overall patient outcome, disease burden encompassing quality of life, cost of care, and patient survival has seen little benefit. Consequently, additional advances in CRC treatments remain important, with an emphasis on preventative measures. Guanylyl cyclase C (GUCY2C), a transmembrane receptor expressed on intestinal epithelial cells, plays an important role in orchestrating intestinal homeostatic mechanisms. These effects are mediated by the endogenous hormones guanylin (GUCA2A) and uroguanylin (GUCA2B), which bind and activate GUCY2C to regulate proliferation, metabolism and barrier function in intestine. Recent studies have demonstrated a link between GUCY2C silencing and intestinal dysfunction, including tumorigenesis. Indeed, GUCY2C silencing by the near universal loss of its paracrine hormone ligands increases colon cancer susceptibility in animals and humans. GUCY2C’s role as a tumor suppressor has opened the door to a new paradigm for CRC prevention by hormone replacement therapy using synthetic hormone analogs, such as the FDA-approved oral GUCY2C ligand linaclotide (Linzess™). Here we review the known contributions of the GUCY2C signaling axis to CRC, and relate them to a novel clinical strategy targeting tumor chemoprevention.