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Laudadio I, Carissimi C, Scafa N, Bastianelli A, Fulci V, Renzini A, Russo G, Oliva S, Vitali R, Palone F, Cucchiara S, Stronati L. Characterization of patient-derived intestinal organoids for modelling fibrosis in Inflammatory Bowel Disease. Inflamm Res 2024; 73:1359-1370. [PMID: 38842554 PMCID: PMC11282153 DOI: 10.1007/s00011-024-01901-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/05/2024] [Revised: 05/27/2024] [Accepted: 05/30/2024] [Indexed: 06/07/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND AND AIMS Intestinal fibrosis is a common complication of Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD), namely Crohn's disease (CD) and ulcerative colitis (UC), but the precise mechanism by which it occurs is incompletely understood hampering the development of effective therapeutic strategies. Here, we aimed at inducing and characterizing an inflammation-mediated fibrosis in patient-derived organoids (PDOs) issued from crypts isolated from colonic mucosal biopsies of IBD pediatric patients and age matched-control subjects (CTRLs). METHODS Inflammatory-driven fibrosis was induced by exposing CTRL-, CD- and UC-PDOs to the pro-inflammatory cytokine TNF-α for one day, followed by a co-treatment with TNF-α and TGF-β1 for three days. Fibrotic response was proven by analyzing inflammatory and fibrotic markers by RT-qPCR and immunofluorescence. Transcriptomic changes were assessed by RNA-sequencing. RESULTS Co-treatment with TNF-α and TGF-β1 caused in CTRL- and IBD-PDOs morphological changes towards a mesenchymal-like phenotype and up-regulation of inflammatory, mesenchymal, and fibrotic markers. Transcriptomic profiling highlighted that in all intestinal PDOs, regardless of the disease, the co-exposure to TNF-α and TGF-β1 regulated EMT genes and specifically increased genes involved in positive regulation of cell migration. Finally, we demonstrated that CD-PDOs display a specific response to fibrosis compared to both CTRL- and UC-PDOs, mainly characterized by upregulation of nuclear factors controlling transcription. CONCLUSIONS This study demonstrates that intestinal PDOs may develop an inflammatory-derived fibrosis thus representing a promising tool to study fibrogenesis in IBD. Fibrotic PDOs show increased expression of EMT genes. In particular, fibrotic CD-PDOs display a specific gene expression signature compared to UC and CTRL-PDOs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ilaria Laudadio
- Department of Molecular Medicine, Sapienza University of Rome, Viale Regina Elena 324, 00161, Rome, Italy.
| | - Claudia Carissimi
- Department of Molecular Medicine, Sapienza University of Rome, Viale Regina Elena 324, 00161, Rome, Italy
| | - Noemi Scafa
- Department of Molecular Medicine, Sapienza University of Rome, Viale Regina Elena 324, 00161, Rome, Italy
| | - Alex Bastianelli
- Department of Molecular Medicine, Sapienza University of Rome, Viale Regina Elena 324, 00161, Rome, Italy
| | - Valerio Fulci
- Department of Molecular Medicine, Sapienza University of Rome, Viale Regina Elena 324, 00161, Rome, Italy
| | - Alessandra Renzini
- DAHFMO-Unit of Histology and Medical Embryology, Sapienza University of Rome, Via. A. Scarpa, 16, 00161, Rome, Italy
| | - Giusy Russo
- Department of Maternal Infantile and Urological Sciences, Sapienza University of Rome, Viale Regina Elena 324, 00161, Rome, Italy
| | - Salvatore Oliva
- Department of Maternal Infantile and Urological Sciences, Sapienza University of Rome, Viale Regina Elena 324, 00161, Rome, Italy
| | - Roberta Vitali
- Laboratory of Biomedical Technologies, Italian National Agency for New Technologies, Energy and Sustainable Economic Development (ENEA), Via Anguillarese 301, 00123, Rome, Italy
| | - Francesca Palone
- Laboratory of Biomedical Technologies, Italian National Agency for New Technologies, Energy and Sustainable Economic Development (ENEA), Via Anguillarese 301, 00123, Rome, Italy
| | - Salvatore Cucchiara
- Department of Maternal Infantile and Urological Sciences, Sapienza University of Rome, Viale Regina Elena 324, 00161, Rome, Italy
| | - Laura Stronati
- Department of Molecular Medicine, Sapienza University of Rome, Viale Regina Elena 324, 00161, Rome, Italy.
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Jarmakiewicz-Czaja S, Gruszecka J, Filip R. The Diagnosis of Intestinal Fibrosis in Crohn's Disease-Present and Future. Int J Mol Sci 2024; 25:6935. [PMID: 39000043 PMCID: PMC11241173 DOI: 10.3390/ijms25136935] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/15/2024] [Revised: 06/17/2024] [Accepted: 06/20/2024] [Indexed: 07/14/2024] Open
Abstract
Crohn's disease (CD) progresses with periods of remission and exacerbations. During exacerbations, chronic inflammation leads to tissue destruction. As a result, intestinal fibrosis may develop in response to the ongoing inflammatory process. Fibrosis in CD should be considered the result of the response of the intestinal wall (over) to the presence of inflammation in the deep structures of the intestinal wall. In the absence of ideal noninvasive methods, endoscopic evaluation in combination with biopsy, histopathological analysis, stool analysis, and blood analysis remains the gold standard for assessing both inflammation and fibrosis in CD. On the contrary, the ability to identify markers of intestinal fibrosis would help to develop new diagnostic and therapeutic methods to detect early stages of fibrosis. It is speculated that miRNAs may, in the future, become biomarkers for early noninvasive diagnosis in the treatment of intestinal fibrosis. The purpose of this review is to summarise existing diagnostic methods for Crohn's disease and present recent scientific reports on molecular testing.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Jolanta Gruszecka
- Institute of Health Sciences, Medical College of Rzeszow University, 35-959 Rzeszow, Poland
- Department of Clinical Microbiology, Clinical Hospital No. 2, 35-301 Rzeszow, Poland
| | - Rafał Filip
- Institute of Medicine, Medical College of Rzeszow University, 35-959 Rzeszow, Poland
- Department of Gastroenterology with IBD Unit, Clinical Hospital No. 2, 35-301 Rzeszow, Poland
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Lewis A, Humphreys DT, Pan-Castillo B, Berti G, Felice C, Gordon H, Gadhok R, Nijhuis A, Mehta S S, Eleid L, Iqbal S, Armuzzi A, Minicozzi A, Giannoulatou E, ChinAleong J, Feakins R, Sagi-Kiss V, Barisic D, Koufaki MI, Bundy JG, Lindsay JO, Silver A. Epigenetic and Metabolic Reprogramming of Fibroblasts in Crohn's Disease Strictures Reveals Histone Deacetylases as Therapeutic Targets. J Crohns Colitis 2024; 18:895-907. [PMID: 38069679 PMCID: PMC11147807 DOI: 10.1093/ecco-jcc/jjad209] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/07/2023] [Revised: 11/26/2023] [Accepted: 12/05/2023] [Indexed: 06/05/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND AND AIMS No effective therapeutic intervention exists for intestinal fibrosis in Crohn's disease [CD]. We characterized fibroblast subtypes, epigenetic and metabolic changes, and signalling pathways in CD fibrosis to inform future therapeutic strategies. METHODS We undertook immunohistochemistry, metabolic, signalling pathway and epigenetic [Transposase-Accessible Chromatin using sequencing] analyses associated with collagen production in CCD-18Co intestinal fibroblasts and primary fibroblasts isolated from stricturing [SCD] and non-stricturing [NSCD] CD small intestine. SCD/NSCD fibroblasts were cultured with TGFβ and valproic acid [VPA]. RESULTS Stricturing CD was characterized by distinct histone deacetylase [HDAC] expression profiles, particularly HDAC1, HDAC2, and HDAC7. As a proxy for HDAC activity, reduced numbers of H3K27ac+ cells were found in SCD compared to NSCD sections. Primary fibroblasts had increased extracellular lactate [increased glycolytic activity] and intracellular hydroxyproline [increased collagen production] in SCD compared to NSCD cultures. The metabolic effect of TGFβ stimulation was reversed by the HDAC inhibitor VPA. SCD fibroblasts appeared 'metabolically primed' and responded more strongly to both TGFβ and VPA. Treatment with VPA revealed TGFβ-dependent and TGFβ-independent Collagen-I production in CCD-18Co cells and primary fibroblasts. VPA altered the epigenetic landscape with reduced chromatin accessibility at the COL1A1 and COL1A2 promoters. CONCLUSIONS Increased HDAC expression profiles, H3K27ac hypoacetylation, a significant glycolytic phenotype and metabolic priming characterize SCD-derived as compared to NSCD fibroblasts. Our results reveal a novel epigenetic component to Collagen-I regulation and TGFβ-mediated CD fibrosis. HDAC inhibitor therapy may 'reset' the epigenetic changes associated with fibrosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Amy Lewis
- Centre for Genomics and Child Health, Blizard Institute, Barts and The London School of Medicine & Dentistry, London E1 2AT, UK
| | - David T Humphreys
- Victor Chang Cardiac Research Institute, Sydney, NSW 2010, Australia
- St Vincent's Clinical School, University of New South Wales, Sydney, NSW 2052, Australia
| | - Belen Pan-Castillo
- Centre for Genomics and Child Health, Blizard Institute, Barts and The London School of Medicine & Dentistry, London E1 2AT, UK
| | - Giulio Berti
- Centre for Genomics and Child Health, Blizard Institute, Barts and The London School of Medicine & Dentistry, London E1 2AT, UK
| | - Carla Felice
- Centre for Genomics and Child Health, Blizard Institute, Barts and The London School of Medicine & Dentistry, London E1 2AT, UK
- Department of Internal Medicine University of Padua, Internal Medicine 1 Unit, Ca' Foncello Hospital, Treviso, Italy
| | - Hannah Gordon
- Centre for Immunobiology, Blizard Institute, Barts and The London School of Medicine & Dentistry, London E1 2AT, UK
| | - Radha Gadhok
- Centre for Immunobiology, Blizard Institute, Barts and The London School of Medicine & Dentistry, London E1 2AT, UK
| | - Anke Nijhuis
- Centre for Genomics and Child Health, Blizard Institute, Barts and The London School of Medicine & Dentistry, London E1 2AT, UK
| | - Shameer Mehta S
- Centre for Genomics and Child Health, Blizard Institute, Barts and The London School of Medicine & Dentistry, London E1 2AT, UK
| | - Liliane Eleid
- Centre for Genomics and Child Health, Blizard Institute, Barts and The London School of Medicine & Dentistry, London E1 2AT, UK
| | - Sidra Iqbal
- Centre for Genomics and Child Health, Blizard Institute, Barts and The London School of Medicine & Dentistry, London E1 2AT, UK
| | | | - Annamaria Minicozzi
- Department of Colorectal Surgery, Division of Surgery & Perioperative Care, The Royal London Hospital, Whitechapel, London E1 1BB, UK
| | - Eleni Giannoulatou
- Victor Chang Cardiac Research Institute, Sydney, NSW 2010, Australia
- St Vincent's Clinical School, University of New South Wales, Sydney, NSW 2052, Australia
| | - Joanne ChinAleong
- Department of Histopathology, The Royal London Hospital, London E1 1BB, UK
| | - Roger Feakins
- Department of Cellular Pathology, Royal Free London NHS Foundation Trust, London NW3 2QG, UK
| | - Virag Sagi-Kiss
- Department of Metabolism, Digestion and Reproduction, Imperial College London, Burlington Danes Building, Du Cane Road, London W12 0NN, UK
| | - Dora Barisic
- Department of Metabolism, Digestion and Reproduction, Imperial College London, Burlington Danes Building, Du Cane Road, London W12 0NN, UK
| | - Margarita-Ioanna Koufaki
- Department of Metabolism, Digestion and Reproduction, Imperial College London, Burlington Danes Building, Du Cane Road, London W12 0NN, UK
| | - Jacob G Bundy
- Department of Metabolism, Digestion and Reproduction, Imperial College London, Burlington Danes Building, Du Cane Road, London W12 0NN, UK
| | - James O Lindsay
- Centre for Immunobiology, Blizard Institute, Barts and The London School of Medicine & Dentistry, London E1 2AT, UK
| | - Andrew Silver
- Centre for Genomics and Child Health, Blizard Institute, Barts and The London School of Medicine & Dentistry, London E1 2AT, UK
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Humphreys DT, Lewis A, Pan‐Castillo B, Berti G, Mein C, Wozniak E, Gordon H, Gadhok R, Minicozzi A, ChinAleong J, Feakins R, Giannoulatou E, James LK, Stagg AJ, Lindsay JO, Silver A. Single cell sequencing data identify distinct B cell and fibroblast populations in stricturing Crohn's disease. J Cell Mol Med 2024; 28:e18344. [PMID: 38685679 PMCID: PMC11058334 DOI: 10.1111/jcmm.18344] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/27/2023] [Revised: 02/20/2024] [Accepted: 04/05/2024] [Indexed: 05/02/2024] Open
Abstract
Single cell RNA sequencing of human full thickness Crohn's disease (CD) small bowel resection specimens was used to identify potential therapeutic targets for stricturing (S) CD. Using an unbiased approach, 16 cell lineages were assigned within 14,539 sequenced cells from patient-matched SCD and non-stricturing (NSCD) preparations. SCD and NSCD contained identical cell types. Amongst immune cells, B cells and plasma cells were selectively increased in SCD samples. B cell subsets suggested formation of tertiary lymphoid tissue in SCD and compared with NSCD there was an increase in IgG, and a decrease in IgA plasma cells, consistent with their potential role in CD fibrosis. Two Lumican-positive fibroblast subtypes were identified and subclassified based on expression of selectively enriched genes as fibroblast clusters (C) 12 and C9. Cells within these clusters expressed the profibrotic genes Decorin (C12) and JUN (C9). C9 cells expressed ACTA2; ECM genes COL4A1, COL4A2, COL15A1, COL6A3, COL18A1 and ADAMDEC1; LAMB1 and GREM1. GO and KEGG Biological terms showed extracellular matrix and stricture organization associated with C12 and C9, and regulation of WNT pathway genes with C9. Trajectory and differential gene analysis of C12 and C9 identified four sub-clusters. Intra sub-cluster gene analysis detected 13 co-regulated gene modules that aligned along predicted pseudotime trajectories. CXCL14 and ADAMDEC1 were key markers in module 1. Our findings support further investigation of fibroblast heterogeneity and interactions with local and circulating immune cells at earlier time points in fibrosis progression. Breaking these interactions by targeting one or other population may improve therapeutic management for SCD.
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Affiliation(s)
- David T. Humphreys
- Victor Chang Cardiac Research InstituteSydneyNew South WalesAustralia
- St Vincent's Clinical SchoolUniversity of New South WalesSydneyNew South WalesAustralia
| | - Amy Lewis
- Centre for Genomics and Child Health, Blizard InstituteBarts and The London School of Medicine and DentistryLondonUK
| | - Belen Pan‐Castillo
- Centre for Genomics and Child Health, Blizard InstituteBarts and The London School of Medicine and DentistryLondonUK
| | - Giulio Berti
- Centre for Genomics and Child Health, Blizard InstituteBarts and The London School of Medicine and DentistryLondonUK
| | - Charles Mein
- Genome Centre, Blizard InstituteBarts and The London School of Medicine and DentistryLondonUK
| | - Eva Wozniak
- Genome Centre, Blizard InstituteBarts and The London School of Medicine and DentistryLondonUK
| | - Hannah Gordon
- Centre for Immunobiology, Blizard InstituteBarts and The London School of Medicine and DentistryLondonUK
| | - Radha Gadhok
- Centre for Immunobiology, Blizard InstituteBarts and The London School of Medicine and DentistryLondonUK
| | - Annamaria Minicozzi
- Department of Colorectal Surgery, Division of Surgery and Perioperative CareThe Royal London HospitalLondonUK
| | | | - Roger Feakins
- Department of Cellular PathologyRoyal Free London NHS Foundation TrustLondonUK
| | - Eleni Giannoulatou
- Victor Chang Cardiac Research InstituteSydneyNew South WalesAustralia
- St Vincent's Clinical SchoolUniversity of New South WalesSydneyNew South WalesAustralia
| | - Louisa K. James
- Centre for Immunobiology, Blizard InstituteBarts and The London School of Medicine and DentistryLondonUK
| | - Andrew J. Stagg
- Centre for Immunobiology, Blizard InstituteBarts and The London School of Medicine and DentistryLondonUK
| | - James Oliver Lindsay
- Centre for Immunobiology, Blizard InstituteBarts and The London School of Medicine and DentistryLondonUK
| | - Andrew Silver
- Centre for Genomics and Child Health, Blizard InstituteBarts and The London School of Medicine and DentistryLondonUK
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5
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Rieder F, Mukherjee PK, Massey WJ, Wang Y, Fiocchi C. Fibrosis in IBD: from pathogenesis to therapeutic targets. Gut 2024; 73:854-866. [PMID: 38233198 PMCID: PMC10997492 DOI: 10.1136/gutjnl-2023-329963] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/24/2023] [Accepted: 12/29/2023] [Indexed: 01/19/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Intestinal fibrosis resulting in stricture formation and obstruction in Crohn's disease (CD) and increased wall stiffness leading to symptoms in ulcerative colitis (UC) is among the largest unmet needs in inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). Fibrosis is caused by a multifactorial and complex process involving immune and non-immune cells, their soluble mediators and exposure to luminal contents, such as microbiota and environmental factors. To date, no antifibrotic therapy is available. Some progress has been made in creating consensus definitions and measurements to quantify stricture morphology for clinical practice and trials, but approaches to determine the degree of fibrosis within a stricture are still lacking. OBJECTIVE We herein describe the current state of stricture pathogenesis, measuring tools and clinical trial endpoints development. DESIGN Data presented and discussed in this review derive from the past and recent literature and the authors' own research and experience. RESULTS AND CONCLUSIONS Significant progress has been made in better understanding the pathogenesis of fibrosis, but additional studies and preclinical developments are needed to define specific therapeutic targets.
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Affiliation(s)
- Florian Rieder
- Department of Inflammation and Immunity, Cleveland Clinic Foundation, Cleveland, Ohio, USA
| | - Pranab K Mukherjee
- Department of Inflammation and Immunity, Cleveland Clinic Foundation, Cleveland, Ohio, USA
| | - William J Massey
- Department of Inflammation and Immunity, Cleveland Clinic Foundation, Cleveland, Ohio, USA
| | - Yan Wang
- Department of Inflammation and Immunity, Cleveland Clinic Foundation, Cleveland, Ohio, USA
| | - Claudio Fiocchi
- Department of Inflammation and Immunity, Cleveland Clinic Foundation, Cleveland, Ohio, USA
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6
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Li J, Xu JZ, Dou B, Huang TF, Chen J, Wang TM, Ouyang HJ. Circ_0001666 upregulation promotes intestinal epithelial cell fibrosis in pediatric Crohn's disease via the SRSF1/BMP7 axis. Kaohsiung J Med Sci 2023; 39:966-977. [PMID: 37530654 DOI: 10.1002/kjm2.12734] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/12/2023] [Revised: 06/15/2023] [Accepted: 06/26/2023] [Indexed: 08/03/2023] Open
Abstract
The epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) is closely associated with Crohn's disease (CD) related intestinal fibrosis, a condition whose prevalence is increasing annually among children. Recently, the CD marker gene microarray screening revealed an upregulation of circ_0001666 in the colon tissues of CD patients, but its underlying mechanisms remain unclear. In this study, we explored the molecular mechanism of circ_0001666 in regulating EMT-mediated fibrosis in CD in vitro. The levels of circ_0001666 and EMT-associated proteins were assessed in CD clinical samples, and a CD cell model was established using TGF-β1 to induce human intestinal epithelial cells (HIECs). Additionally, the expression levels of genes and proteins related to EMT and fibrosis were analyzed by quantitative real-time PCR and western blot, cell migration, and invasion were assessed via wound healing assay and transwell, respectively, and RNA pull-down and RNA immunoprecipitation assays were performed to verify the relationship between SRSF1 and BMP7 or circ_0001666. Circ_0001666 was overexpressed in the intestinal mucosal tissues of CD patients and was positively correlated with EMT. Silencing circ_0001666 inhibited the migration, invasion, EMT, and fibrosis of HIECs induced by TGF-β1. Mechanistically, circ_0001666 regulated BMP7 expression by interacting with SRSF1. Furthermore, the effects of inhibiting circ_0001666 on HIECs could be partially reversed by overexpressing SRSF1 or silencing BMP7. Collectively, circ_0001666 regulates TGF-β1-induced HIEC migration, invasion, EMT, and fibrosis. Circ_0001666 also promoted EMT-mediated fibrosis by interacting with SRSF1 to accelerate BMP7 mRNA decay. These findings provide new insights into the pathogenesis of CD and suggest that circ_0001666 might be a potential therapeutic target for CD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jun Li
- Department of Pediatrics, Changsha Maternal and Child Health Hospital, Changsha, Hunan Province, China
| | - Ji-Zhi Xu
- Department of Pediatrics, Changsha Maternal and Child Health Hospital, Changsha, Hunan Province, China
| | - Bo Dou
- Department of Pediatrics, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan Province, China
| | - Teng-Fei Huang
- Department of Pediatrics, Changsha Maternal and Child Health Hospital, Changsha, Hunan Province, China
| | - Jie Chen
- Department of Pediatrics, Changsha Maternal and Child Health Hospital, Changsha, Hunan Province, China
| | - Tuan-Mei Wang
- Department of Pediatrics, Changsha Maternal and Child Health Hospital, Changsha, Hunan Province, China
| | - Hong-Juan Ouyang
- Department of Digestive Nutrition, Hunan Children's Hospital, Changsha, Hunan Province, China
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7
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Innocenti T, Bigagli E, Lynch EN, Galli A, Dragoni G. MiRNA-Based Therapies for the Treatment of Inflammatory Bowel Disease: What Are We Still Missing? Inflamm Bowel Dis 2023; 29:308-323. [PMID: 35749310 DOI: 10.1093/ibd/izac122] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/12/2022] [Indexed: 02/05/2023]
Abstract
Micro-RNAs (miRNAs) are noncoding RNAs usually 24-30 nucleotides long that play a central role in epigenetic mechanisms of inflammatory diseases and cancers. Recently, several studies have assessed the involvement of miRNAs in the pathogenesis of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) and colitis-associated neoplasia. Particularly, it has been shown that many members of miRNAs family are involved in the pathways of inflammation and fibrogenesis of IBD; therefore, their use as inflammatory and fibrosis biomarkers has been postulated. In light of these results, the role of miRNAs in IBD therapy has been proposed and is currently under investigation with many in vitro and in vivo studies, murine models, and a phase 2a trial. The accumulating data have pushed miRNA-based therapy closer to clinical practice, although many open questions remain. With this systematic review, we discuss the current knowledge about the therapeutic effects of miRNAs mimicking and inhibition, and we explore the new potential targets of miRNA family for the treatment of inflammation and fibrosis in IBD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tommaso Innocenti
- IBD Referral Center, Gastroenterology Department, Careggi University Hospital, Florence, Italy.,Gastroenterology Research Unit, Department of Experimental and Clinical Biochemical Sciences "Mario Serio", University of Florence, Florence, Italy
| | - Elisabetta Bigagli
- Section of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Department of Neuroscience, Psychology, Drug Research and Child Health (NEUROFARBA), University of Florence, Florence, Italy
| | - Erica Nicola Lynch
- IBD Referral Center, Gastroenterology Department, Careggi University Hospital, Florence, Italy.,Gastroenterology Research Unit, Department of Experimental and Clinical Biochemical Sciences "Mario Serio", University of Florence, Florence, Italy
| | - Andrea Galli
- Gastroenterology Research Unit, Department of Experimental and Clinical Biochemical Sciences "Mario Serio", University of Florence, Florence, Italy
| | - Gabriele Dragoni
- IBD Referral Center, Gastroenterology Department, Careggi University Hospital, Florence, Italy.,Gastroenterology Research Unit, Department of Experimental and Clinical Biochemical Sciences "Mario Serio", University of Florence, Florence, Italy
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8
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Xiao X, Mao X, Chen D, Yu B, He J, Yan H, Wang J. miRNAs Can Affect Intestinal Epithelial Barrier in Inflammatory Bowel Disease. Front Immunol 2022; 13:868229. [PMID: 35493445 PMCID: PMC9043318 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2022.868229] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/02/2022] [Accepted: 03/18/2022] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
The most obvious pathological characterization of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) is intestinal epithelium erosion and severe inflammation invasion. Micro-ribonucleic acids (miRNA or microRNA), single-stranded noncoding RNAs of ~22 nucleotides, have been considered as the potential therapeutic targets in the pathogenesis of IBD. Many previous studies have focused on the mechanisms that miRNAs use to regulate inflammation, immunity, and microorganisms in IBD. The review highlights in detail the findings of miRNAs in the intestinal epithelial barrier of IBD, and focuses on their gene targets, signaling pathways associated with IBD, and some potential therapies. It will be beneficial for the elucidation of the interaction between miRNAs and the intestinal epithelial barrier in IBD and provide a theoretical reference for preventing and treating IBD in the future.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiangjun Xiao
- Institute of Animal Nutrition, Sichuan Agricultural University, Key Laboratory for Animal Disease-Resistance Nutrition of China Ministry of Education, Key Laboratory of Animal Disease-Resistant Nutrition and Feed of China Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Key Laboratory of Animal Disease-Resistant Nutrition of Sichuan Province, Chengdu, China
| | - Xiangbing Mao
- Institute of Animal Nutrition, Sichuan Agricultural University, Key Laboratory for Animal Disease-Resistance Nutrition of China Ministry of Education, Key Laboratory of Animal Disease-Resistant Nutrition and Feed of China Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Key Laboratory of Animal Disease-Resistant Nutrition of Sichuan Province, Chengdu, China
| | - Daiwen Chen
- Institute of Animal Nutrition, Sichuan Agricultural University, Key Laboratory for Animal Disease-Resistance Nutrition of China Ministry of Education, Key Laboratory of Animal Disease-Resistant Nutrition and Feed of China Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Key Laboratory of Animal Disease-Resistant Nutrition of Sichuan Province, Chengdu, China
| | - Bing Yu
- Institute of Animal Nutrition, Sichuan Agricultural University, Key Laboratory for Animal Disease-Resistance Nutrition of China Ministry of Education, Key Laboratory of Animal Disease-Resistant Nutrition and Feed of China Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Key Laboratory of Animal Disease-Resistant Nutrition of Sichuan Province, Chengdu, China
| | - Jun He
- Institute of Animal Nutrition, Sichuan Agricultural University, Key Laboratory for Animal Disease-Resistance Nutrition of China Ministry of Education, Key Laboratory of Animal Disease-Resistant Nutrition and Feed of China Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Key Laboratory of Animal Disease-Resistant Nutrition of Sichuan Province, Chengdu, China
| | - Hui Yan
- Institute of Animal Nutrition, Sichuan Agricultural University, Key Laboratory for Animal Disease-Resistance Nutrition of China Ministry of Education, Key Laboratory of Animal Disease-Resistant Nutrition and Feed of China Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Key Laboratory of Animal Disease-Resistant Nutrition of Sichuan Province, Chengdu, China
| | - Jianping Wang
- Institute of Animal Nutrition, Sichuan Agricultural University, Key Laboratory for Animal Disease-Resistance Nutrition of China Ministry of Education, Key Laboratory of Animal Disease-Resistant Nutrition and Feed of China Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Key Laboratory of Animal Disease-Resistant Nutrition of Sichuan Province, Chengdu, China
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9
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Wang Y, Huang B, Jin T, Ocansey DKW, Jiang J, Mao F. Intestinal Fibrosis in Inflammatory Bowel Disease and the Prospects of Mesenchymal Stem Cell Therapy. Front Immunol 2022; 13:835005. [PMID: 35370998 PMCID: PMC8971815 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2022.835005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 15.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/14/2021] [Accepted: 01/26/2022] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Intestinal fibrosis is an important complication of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). In the course of the development of fibrosis, certain parts of the intestine become narrowed, significantly destroying the structure and function of the intestine and affecting the quality of life of patients. Chronic inflammation is an important initiating factor of fibrosis. Unfortunately, the existing anti-inflammatory drugs cannot effectively prevent and alleviate fibrosis, and there is no effective anti-fibrotic drug, which makes surgical treatment the mainstream treatment for intestinal fibrosis and stenosis. Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) are capable of tissue regeneration and repair through their self-differentiation, secretion of cytokines, and secretion of extracellular vesicles. MSCs have been shown to play an important therapeutic role in the fibrosis of many organs. However, the role of MSC in intestinal fibrosis largely remained unexplored. This review summarizes the mechanism of intestinal fibrosis, including the role of immune cells, TGF-β, and the gut microbiome and metabolites. Available treatment options for fibrosis, particularly, MSCs are also discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yifei Wang
- Aoyang Institute of Cancer, Affiliated Aoyang Hospital of Jiangsu University, Suzhou, China
- Key Laboratory of Medical Science and Laboratory Medicine of Jiangsu Province, School of Medicine, Jiangsu University, Zhenjiang, China
| | - Bin Huang
- Aoyang Institute of Cancer, Affiliated Aoyang Hospital of Jiangsu University, Suzhou, China
- General Surgery Department, Affiliated Aoyang Hospital of Jiangsu University, Suzhou, China
| | - Tao Jin
- Department of Gastrointestinal and Endoscopy, The Affiliated Yixing Hospital of Jiangsu University, Yixing, China
| | - Dickson Kofi Wiredu Ocansey
- Key Laboratory of Medical Science and Laboratory Medicine of Jiangsu Province, School of Medicine, Jiangsu University, Zhenjiang, China
- Directorate of University Health Services, University of Cape Coast, Cape Coast, Ghana
| | - Jiajia Jiang
- Aoyang Institute of Cancer, Affiliated Aoyang Hospital of Jiangsu University, Suzhou, China
- Key Laboratory of Medical Science and Laboratory Medicine of Jiangsu Province, School of Medicine, Jiangsu University, Zhenjiang, China
- *Correspondence: Jiajia Jiang, ; Fei Mao,
| | - Fei Mao
- Aoyang Institute of Cancer, Affiliated Aoyang Hospital of Jiangsu University, Suzhou, China
- Key Laboratory of Medical Science and Laboratory Medicine of Jiangsu Province, School of Medicine, Jiangsu University, Zhenjiang, China
- *Correspondence: Jiajia Jiang, ; Fei Mao,
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10
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Extracellular Matrix Components as Diagnostic Tools in Inflammatory Bowel Disease. BIOLOGY 2021; 10:biology10101024. [PMID: 34681123 PMCID: PMC8533508 DOI: 10.3390/biology10101024] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/18/2021] [Revised: 09/14/2021] [Accepted: 09/30/2021] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
Abstract
Simple Summary For decades, the extracellular matrix (ECM) has been defined as a structure component playing a rather neglected role in the human body. In recent years, research has shed light on the role of ECM within cellular processes, including proliferation, migration and differentiation, as well as in inflammation. In inflammation, ECM composition is constantly being remodeled and undergoes dynamic and rapid changes. Tracking these changes could serve as a novel diagnostic tool. Inflammatory bowel disease is accompanied by complications such as fibrosis, stenosis and fistulas. All of these structural complications involve excessive synthesis or degradation of ECM. With this review, we explored whether the analysis of ECM composition can be of support in diagnosing inflammatory bowel disease and whether changes within ECM can help to predict a complicated disease course early on. Abstract Work from the last years indicates that the extracellular matrix (ECM) plays a direct role in various cellular processes, including proliferation, migration and differentiation. Besides homeostatic processes, its regulatory function in inflammation becomes more and more evident. In inflammation, such as inflammatory bowel disease, the ECM composition is constantly remodeled, and this can result in a structuring of fistulizing disease course. Thus, tracking early ECM changes might bear the potential to predict the disease course. In this review, we provide an overview of relevant diagnostic methods, focusing on ECM changes.
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11
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Caio G, Lungaro L, Chiarioni G, Giancola F, Caputo F, Guarino M, Volta U, Testino G, Pellicano R, Zoli G, DE Giorgio R. Beyond biologics: advanced therapies in inflammatory bowel diseases. Minerva Gastroenterol (Torino) 2021; 68:319-332. [PMID: 34309337 DOI: 10.23736/s2724-5985.21.02985-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/08/2022]
Abstract
Inflammatory bowel diseases (IBDs) are conditions characterized by persistent and relapsing inflammation involving the gastrointestinal tract at various levels. Although the etiopathogenesis of IBDs is partially understood, a deregulated activation of intestinal immune cells in genetically susceptible patients is thought to be key for the disease onset and evolution. Artificial Nutrition might affect favorably on inflammation and related cytokine storm. However, the discovery of monoclonal antibodies blocking pro-inflammatory cytokines (e.g., tumor necrosis factor-α - TNF-α) changed radically the management of IBDs. Anti-TNF-α agents represent the prototype molecule of the so-called 'biologics' / 'biologicals'. These compounds have significantly improved the therapeutic management of IBDs refractory to standard medications, achieving clinical remission, mucosal healing and preventing extra-intestinal manifestations. However, about 50% of patients treated with biologicals experienced drawbacks, such as primary failure or loss of response, requiring new effective treatments. Translational studies have identified other pathways, different from the TNF-α blockade, and new molecules, e.g. sphingosine-1-phosphate agonists and the JAK kinase inhibitors, have been proposed as potential therapeutic options for IBDs. These novel therapeutic approaches represent a "new era" of IBD management, especially for patients poorly responsive to biologicals. In this review, we will summarize the new pharmacological strategies to treat IBDs, and discuss their effectiveness and safety, along with future perspectives for IBD treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Giacomo Caio
- Department of Translational Medicine, University of Ferrara, Ferrara, Italy.,Mucosal Immunology and Biology Research Center, Massachusetts General Hospital-Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA.,Center for the Study and Treatment of Chronic Inflammatory Intestinal Diseases (IBD) and Gastroenterological Manifestations of Rare Diseases, Department of Translational Medicine, University of Ferrara, Ferrara, Italy.,Center for the Study and Treatment of Alcohol-Related Diseases, Department of Translational Medicine, University of Ferrara, Ferrara, Italy
| | - Lisa Lungaro
- Department of Translational Medicine, University of Ferrara, Ferrara, Italy.,Department of Internal Medicine, Santissima Annunziata Hospital, University of Ferrara, Cento, Ferrara, Italy
| | - Giuseppe Chiarioni
- Division of Gastroenterology of the University of Verona, A.O.U.I. Verona, Verona, Italy.,Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, USA
| | - Fiorella Giancola
- Department of Translational Medicine, University of Ferrara, Ferrara, Italy
| | - Fabio Caputo
- Department of Translational Medicine, University of Ferrara, Ferrara, Italy.,Center for the Study and Treatment of Chronic Inflammatory Intestinal Diseases (IBD) and Gastroenterological Manifestations of Rare Diseases, Department of Translational Medicine, University of Ferrara, Ferrara, Italy.,Center for the Study and Treatment of Alcohol-Related Diseases, Department of Translational Medicine, University of Ferrara, Ferrara, Italy.,Department of Internal Medicine, Santissima Annunziata Hospital, University of Ferrara, Cento, Ferrara, Italy
| | - Matteo Guarino
- Department of Translational Medicine, University of Ferrara, Ferrara, Italy
| | - Umberto Volta
- Department of Medical and Surgical Sciences, University of Bologna, Bologna, Italy
| | - Gianni Testino
- Unit of Addiction and epatology/Alcohological Regional Centre, ASL3 c/o IRCCS San Martino Hospital, Genova, Italy.,Italian Society on Alcohol, Bologna, Italy
| | | | - Giorgio Zoli
- Department of Translational Medicine, University of Ferrara, Ferrara, Italy.,Center for the Study and Treatment of Chronic Inflammatory Intestinal Diseases (IBD) and Gastroenterological Manifestations of Rare Diseases, Department of Translational Medicine, University of Ferrara, Ferrara, Italy.,Center for the Study and Treatment of Alcohol-Related Diseases, Department of Translational Medicine, University of Ferrara, Ferrara, Italy.,Department of Internal Medicine, Santissima Annunziata Hospital, University of Ferrara, Cento, Ferrara, Italy
| | - Roberto DE Giorgio
- Department of Translational Medicine, University of Ferrara, Ferrara, Italy - .,Center for the Study and Treatment of Chronic Inflammatory Intestinal Diseases (IBD) and Gastroenterological Manifestations of Rare Diseases, Department of Translational Medicine, University of Ferrara, Ferrara, Italy.,Center for the Study and Treatment of Alcohol-Related Diseases, Department of Translational Medicine, University of Ferrara, Ferrara, Italy
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12
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Wang J, Lin S, Brown JM, van Wagoner D, Fiocchi C, Rieder F. Novel mechanisms and clinical trial endpoints in intestinal fibrosis. Immunol Rev 2021; 302:211-227. [PMID: 33993489 DOI: 10.1111/imr.12974] [Citation(s) in RCA: 52] [Impact Index Per Article: 17.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/18/2021] [Revised: 04/18/2021] [Accepted: 04/23/2021] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
The incidence of inflammatory bowel diseases (IBD) worldwide has resulted in a global public health challenge. Intestinal fibrosis leading to stricture formation and bowel obstruction is a frequent complication in Crohn's disease (CD), and the lack of anti-fibrotic therapies makes elucidation of fibrosis mechanisms a priority. Progress has shown that mesenchymal cells, cytokines, microbial products, and mesenteric adipocytes are jointly implicated in the pathogenesis of intestinal fibrosis. This recent information puts prevention or reversal of intestinal strictures within reach through innovative therapies validated by reliable clinical trial endpoints. Here, we review the role of immune and non-immune components of the pathogenesis of intestinal fibrosis, including new cell clusters, cytokine networks, host-microbiome interactions, creeping fat, and their translation for endpoint development in anti-fibrotic clinical trials.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jie Wang
- Henan Key Laboratory of Immunology and Targeted Drug, Xinxiang Medical University, Xinxiang, China.,Department of Inflammation and Immunity, Lerner Research Institute, Cleveland Clinic Foundation, Cleveland, OH, USA
| | - Sinan Lin
- Department of Inflammation and Immunity, Lerner Research Institute, Cleveland Clinic Foundation, Cleveland, OH, USA.,Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Jonathan Mark Brown
- Department of Cardiovascular and Metabolic Sciences, Lerner Research Institute, Cleveland Clinic Foundation, Cleveland, OH, USA
| | - David van Wagoner
- Department of Cardiovascular and Metabolic Sciences, Lerner Research Institute, Cleveland Clinic Foundation, Cleveland, OH, USA
| | - Claudio Fiocchi
- Department of Inflammation and Immunity, Lerner Research Institute, Cleveland Clinic Foundation, Cleveland, OH, USA.,Department of Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Nutrition, Digestive Diseases and Surgery Institute, Cleveland Clinic Foundation, Cleveland, OH, USA
| | - Florian Rieder
- Department of Inflammation and Immunity, Lerner Research Institute, Cleveland Clinic Foundation, Cleveland, OH, USA.,Department of Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Nutrition, Digestive Diseases and Surgery Institute, Cleveland Clinic Foundation, Cleveland, OH, USA
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13
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Liu Y, Nie H, Ding Y, Hou Y, Mao K, Cui Y. MiRNA, a New Treatment Strategy for Pulmonary Fibrosis. Curr Drug Targets 2021; 22:793-802. [PMID: 32988351 DOI: 10.2174/1874609813666200928141822] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/23/2020] [Revised: 08/21/2020] [Accepted: 08/21/2020] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
Abstract
Pulmonary fibrosis (PF) is the most common chronic, progressive interstitial lung disease, mainly occurring in the elderly, with a median survival of 2-4 years after diagnosis. Its high mortality rate attributes to the delay in diagnosis due to its generic symptoms, and more importantly, to the lack of effective treatments. MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are a class of small non-coding RNAs that are involved in many essential cellular processes, including extracellular matrix remodeling, alveolar epithelial cell apoptosis, epithelial-mesenchymal transition, etc. We summarized the dysregulated miRNAs in TGF-β signaling pathway-mediated PF in recent years with dual effects, such as anti-fibrotic let-7 family and pro-fibrotic miR-21 members. Therefore, this review will set out the latest application of miRNAs to provide a new direction for PF treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yanhong Liu
- Department of Stem Cells and Regenerative Medicine, College of Basic Medical Science, China Medical University, Shenyang, China
| | - Hongguang Nie
- Department of Stem Cells and Regenerative Medicine, College of Basic Medical Science, China Medical University, Shenyang, China
| | - Yan Ding
- Department of Stem Cells and Regenerative Medicine, College of Basic Medical Science, China Medical University, Shenyang, China
| | - Yapeng Hou
- Department of Stem Cells and Regenerative Medicine, College of Basic Medical Science, China Medical University, Shenyang, China
| | - Kejun Mao
- Department of Stem Cells and Regenerative Medicine, College of Basic Medical Science, China Medical University, Shenyang, China
| | - Yong Cui
- Department of Anesthesiology, the First Affiliated Hospital of China Medical University, Shenyang, China
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14
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Xiao J, Chen L, Melander O, Orho-Melander M, Nilsson J, Borné Y, Engström G. Circulating Vimentin Is Associated With Future Incidence of Stroke in a Population-Based Cohort Study. Stroke 2021; 52:937-944. [PMID: 33535783 DOI: 10.1161/strokeaha.120.032111] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE VIM (vimentin) is a cytoskeletal intermediate filament protein, which has been linked to atherosclerosis and thrombosis; both are important causes of stroke. We examined the relationship between circulating VIM and incidence of stroke, and if carotid plaque could modify the association in a prospective population-based cohort. METHODS This prospective study was based on the Malmö Diet and Cancer Cohort. A total of 4688 participants (39.7% men; mean age, 57.6 years) were examined and blood samples were collected between 1991 and 1994. Incidence of stroke was followed up to 2018. Cox' proportional hazards regression was used to assess the relationship between VIM and stroke. RESULTS During a mean follow-up of 22.0 years, a total of 528 subjects were diagnosed with stroke, among which 434 were ischemic stroke. Participants in the highest quartile (vs 1st quartile) had 1.34× higher risk of total stroke (95% CI, 1.03-1.74) and 1.47× higher of ischemic stroke (95% CI, 1.10-1.98) after adjustment for potential confounders. A significant interaction was found between carotid plaque and VIM with respect to incidence of both total stroke and ischemic stroke (P=0.041 and 0.011, respectively). After stratifying by carotid plaque, high VIM had stronger association with stroke in participants with carotid plaque, especially for the risk of ischemic stroke (adjusted hazard ratio,1.66 [95% CI, 1.23-2.25] for quartile 4 versus quartile 1 to 3). CONCLUSIONS VIM is positively associated with the incidence of stroke, especially in individuals with carotid plaque. Further studies are needed to confirm the observed associations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jun Xiao
- Department of Cardiovascular Surgery, Fujian Medical University Union Hospital, Fuzhou, China (J.X., L.C.).,Department of Clinical Sciences in Malmö, Lund University, Malmö, Sweden (J.X., O.M., M.O.-M., J.N., Y.B., G.E.)
| | - Liangwan Chen
- Department of Cardiovascular Surgery, Fujian Medical University Union Hospital, Fuzhou, China (J.X., L.C.)
| | - Olle Melander
- Department of Clinical Sciences in Malmö, Lund University, Malmö, Sweden (J.X., O.M., M.O.-M., J.N., Y.B., G.E.)
| | - Marju Orho-Melander
- Department of Clinical Sciences in Malmö, Lund University, Malmö, Sweden (J.X., O.M., M.O.-M., J.N., Y.B., G.E.)
| | - Jan Nilsson
- Department of Clinical Sciences in Malmö, Lund University, Malmö, Sweden (J.X., O.M., M.O.-M., J.N., Y.B., G.E.)
| | - Yan Borné
- Department of Clinical Sciences in Malmö, Lund University, Malmö, Sweden (J.X., O.M., M.O.-M., J.N., Y.B., G.E.)
| | - Gunnar Engström
- Department of Clinical Sciences in Malmö, Lund University, Malmö, Sweden (J.X., O.M., M.O.-M., J.N., Y.B., G.E.)
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15
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Zhou LY, Lin SN, Rieder F, Chen MH, Zhang SH, Mao R. Noncoding RNAs as Promising Diagnostic Biomarkers and Therapeutic Targets in Intestinal Fibrosis of Crohn's Disease: The Path From Bench to Bedside. Inflamm Bowel Dis 2020; 27:971-982. [PMID: 33324986 PMCID: PMC8344842 DOI: 10.1093/ibd/izaa321] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/09/2020] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
Fibrosis is a major pathway to organ injury and failure, accounting for more than one-third of deaths worldwide. Intestinal fibrosis causes irreversible and serious clinical complications, such as strictures and obstruction, secondary to a complex pathogenesis. Under the stimulation of profibrotic soluble factors, excessive activation of mesenchymal cells causes extracellular matrix deposition via canonical transforming growth factor-β/Smads signaling or other pathways (eg, epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition and endothelial-to-mesenchymal transition) in intestinal fibrogenesis. In recent studies, the importance of noncoding RNAs (ncRNAs) stands out in fibrotic diseases in that ncRNAs exhibit a remarkable variety of biological functions in modulating the aforementioned fibrogenic responses. In this review, we summarize the role of ncRNAs, including the emerging long ncRNAs and circular RNAs, in intestinal fibrogenesis. Notably, the translational potential of ncRNAs as diagnostic biomarkers and therapeutic targets in the management of intestinal fibrosis is discussed based on clinical trials from fibrotic diseases in other organs. The main points of this review include the following: • Characteristics of ncRNAs and mechanisms of intestinal fibrogenesis • Wide participation of ncRNAs (especially the emerging long ncRNAs and circular RNAs) in intestinal fibrosis, including transforming growth factor-β signaling, epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition/endothelial-to-mesenchymal transition, and extracellular matrix remodeling • Translational potential of ncRNAs in the diagnosis and treatment of intestinal fibrosis based on clinical trials from fibrotic diseases in other organs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Long-Yuan Zhou
- Department of Gastroenterology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou, People’s Republic of China
| | - Si-Nan Lin
- Department of Gastroenterology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou, People’s Republic of China
| | - Florian Rieder
- Department of Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Nutrition, Digestive Diseases and Surgery Institute, Cleveland Clinic, Cleveland, Ohio, USA
| | - Min-Hu Chen
- Department of Gastroenterology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou, People’s Republic of China
| | - Sheng-Hong Zhang
- Department of Gastroenterology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou, People’s Republic of China,Address correspondence to: Ren Mao, MD, Department of Gastroenterology, The First Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-Sen University, 58 Zhongshan Road 2nd, Guangzhou 510080, People’s Republic of China; Department of Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Nutrition, Digestive Diseases and Surgery Institute, Cleveland Clinic, Cleveland, OH (); and Sheng-Hong Zhang, MD, Department of Gastroenterology, The First Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-Sen University, 58 Zhongshan Road 2nd, Guangzhou 510080, People’s Republic of China ()
| | - Ren Mao
- Department of Gastroenterology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou, People’s Republic of China,Department of Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Nutrition, Digestive Diseases and Surgery Institute, Cleveland Clinic, Cleveland, Ohio, USA,Address correspondence to: Ren Mao, MD, Department of Gastroenterology, The First Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-Sen University, 58 Zhongshan Road 2nd, Guangzhou 510080, People’s Republic of China; Department of Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Nutrition, Digestive Diseases and Surgery Institute, Cleveland Clinic, Cleveland, OH (); and Sheng-Hong Zhang, MD, Department of Gastroenterology, The First Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-Sen University, 58 Zhongshan Road 2nd, Guangzhou 510080, People’s Republic of China ()
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16
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Alfredsson J, Wick MJ. Mechanism of fibrosis and stricture formation in Crohn's disease. Scand J Immunol 2020; 92:e12990. [PMID: 33119150 PMCID: PMC7757243 DOI: 10.1111/sji.12990] [Citation(s) in RCA: 44] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/03/2020] [Revised: 10/06/2020] [Accepted: 10/25/2020] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
Crohn's disease (CD) is a chronic inflammatory disease of the gastrointestinal tract that leads to substantial suffering for millions of patients. In some patients, the chronic inflammation leads to remodelling of the extracellular matrix and fibrosis. Fibrosis, in combination with expansion of smooth muscle layers, leaves the bowel segment narrowed and stiff resulting in strictures, which often require urgent medical intervention. Although stricture development is associated with inflammation in the affected segment, anti‐inflammatory therapies fall far short of treating strictures. At best, current therapies might allow some patients to avoid surgery in a shorter perspective and no anti‐fibrotic therapy is yet available. This likely relates to our poor understanding of the mechanism underlying stricture development. Chronic inflammation is a prerequisite, but progression to strictures involves changes in fibroblasts, myofibroblasts and smooth muscle cells in a poorly understood interplay with immune cells and environmental cues. Much of the experimental evidence available is from animal models, cell lines or non‐strictured patient tissue. Accordingly, these limitations create the basis for many previously published reviews covering the topic. Although this information has contributed to the understanding of fibrotic mechanisms in general, in the end, data must be validated in strictured tissue from patients. As stricture formation is a serious complication of CD, we endeavoured to summarize findings exclusively performed using strictured tissue from patients. Here, we give an update of the mechanism driving this serious complication in patients, and how the strictured tissue differs from adjacent unaffected tissue and controls.
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Affiliation(s)
- Johannes Alfredsson
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Institute of Biomedicine, University of Gothenburg, Gothenburg, Sweden
| | - Mary Jo Wick
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Institute of Biomedicine, University of Gothenburg, Gothenburg, Sweden
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17
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Al-Sadi R, Engers J, Abdulqadir R. Talk about micromanaging! Role of microRNAs in intestinal barrier function. Am J Physiol Gastrointest Liver Physiol 2020; 319:G170-G174. [PMID: 32658620 DOI: 10.1152/ajpgi.00214.2020] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/31/2023]
Abstract
Defective intestinal tight-junction (TJ) barrier has been implicated in the pathogenesis of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), including Crohn's disease (CD) and ulcerative colitis (UC), and other inflammatory conditions of the gut. The role of microRNAs (miRNA's or miR's) has also been demonstrated in the last two decades in the pathogenesis of IBD and in the regulation of intestinal TJ barrier function. MiRNAs are noncoding regulators of gene expression at the posttranscription level that have an essential role in targeting transcripts encoding proteins of intestinal TJs and their regulators. Many miRNAs have been reported to regulate or deregulate the TJ proteins responsible for the intestinal barrier integrity and intestinal permeability. Many of those miRNAs have been reported to have essential roles in the pathogenesis of IBD. In this mini-review, we summarize the results of studies in the last three years that implicate miRNAs in the defective TJ barrier in relation to IBD. The therapeutic potential of using specific miRNAs to target the intestinal TJ barrier might be of great insight for IBD therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rana Al-Sadi
- Penn State College of Medicine, Hershey Medical Center, Hershey, Pennsylvania
| | - Jessica Engers
- Penn State College of Medicine, Hershey Medical Center, Hershey, Pennsylvania
| | - Raz Abdulqadir
- Penn State College of Medicine, Hershey Medical Center, Hershey, Pennsylvania
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18
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Feakins RM. Transmural Histology Scores in Stricturing Crohn's Disease: Seeking to Build Precision on Uncertain Foundations. J Crohns Colitis 2020; 14:721-723. [PMID: 32645155 DOI: 10.1093/ecco-jcc/jjaa008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Roger M Feakins
- Royal Free London NHS Foundation Trust, Cellular Pathology, London, UK
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19
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Yin J, Ye YL, Hu T, Xu LJ, Zhang LP, Ji RN, Li P, Chen Q, Zhu JY, Pang Z. Hsa_circRNA_102610 upregulation in Crohn’s disease promotes transforming growth factor-β1-induced epithelial-mesenchymal transition via sponging of hsa-miR-130a-3p. World J Gastroenterol 2020; 26:3034-3055. [PMID: 32587447 PMCID: PMC7304108 DOI: 10.3748/wjg.v26.i22.3034] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/11/2020] [Revised: 04/10/2020] [Accepted: 04/24/2020] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND The incidence of inflammatory bowel disease, a chronic intestinal inflammatory disorder that includes Crohn’s disease (CD) and ulcerative colitis, is rising. Circular RNAs are considered valuable diagnostic biomarkers for CD. Current evidence supports the views that epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) plays an important role in CD pathogenesis, and that hsa-miR-130a-3p can inhibit transforming growth factor-β1 (TGF-β1)-induced EMT. Our previous study revealed that hsa_circRNA_102610 was upregulated in CD patients. Moreover, we predicted an interaction between hsa_circRNA_102610 and hsa-miR-130a-3p. Thus, we hypothesized that hsa_circRNA_102610 may play roles in the proliferation and EMT of intestinal epithelial cells by sponging hsa-miR-130a-3p to participate in the pathogenesis of CD.
AIM To explore the mechanism of hsa_circRNA_102610 in the pathogenesis of CD.
METHODS The relative expression levels of hsa_circRNA_102610 and hsa-miR-130a-3p in patients were detected by quantitative reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction. The proliferation of human intestinal epithelial cells (HIECs) and normal-derived colon mucosa cell line 460 (NCM460) cells was detected by cell counting kit-8, 5-ethynyl-2’-deoxyuridine staining and cell cycle assays following overexpression or downregulation of hsa_circRNA_102610. Cell proliferation assays were performed as described above in a rescue experiment with hsa-miR-130a-3p mimics. The interaction of hsa_circRNA_102610 and hsa-miR-130a-3p was verified by fluorescence in situ hybridization and dual luciferase reporter assays. The relative expression levels of CyclinD1, mothers against decapentaplegic homolog 4 (SMAD4), E-cadherin, N-cadherin and Vimentin were detected by western blotting following hsa_circRNA_102610 overexpression, TGF-β1-induced EMT or hsa-miR-130a-3p mimic transfection (in rescue experiments).
RESULTS Upregulation of hsa_circRNA_102610 was determined to be positively correlated with elevated fecal calprotectin levels in CD (r = 0.359, P = 0.007) by Pearson correlation analysis. Hsa_circRNA_102610 promoted the proliferation of HIECs and NCM460 cells, while hsa-miR-130a-3p reversed the cell proliferation-promoting effects of hsa_circRNA_102610. Fluorescence in situ hybridization and dual luciferase reporter assays showed that hsa_circRNA_102610 directly bound hsa-miR-130a-3p in NCM460 and 293T cells. An inverse correlation between downregulation of hsa-miR-130a-3p and upregulation of hsa_circRNA_102610 in CD patients was observed (r = -0.290, P = 0.024) by Pearson correlation analysis. Moreover, overexpression of hsa_circRNA_102610 promoted SMAD4 and CyclinD1 protein expression validated by western-blotting. Furthermore, over-expression of hsa_circRNA_102610 promoted TGF-β1 induced EMT in HIECs and NCM460 cells via targeting of hsa-miR-130a-3p, with increased expression of Vimentin and N-cadherin and decreased expression of E-cadherin.
CONCLUSION Hsa_circRNA_102610 upregulation in CD patients could promote the proliferation and EMT of intestinal epithelial cells via sponging of hsa-miR-130a-3p.
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Affiliation(s)
- Juan Yin
- Department of Digestive Disease and Nutrition Research Center, the Affiliated Suzhou Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Suzhou 215008, Jiangsu Province, China
| | - Yu-Lan Ye
- Department of Gastroenterology, the Affiliated Suzhou Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Suzhou 215008, Jiangsu Province, China
| | - Tong Hu
- Department of Gastroenterology, the Affiliated Suzhou Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Suzhou 215008, Jiangsu Province, China
| | - Li-Juan Xu
- Department of Gastroenterology, the Affiliated Suzhou Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Suzhou 215008, Jiangsu Province, China
| | - Li-Ping Zhang
- Department of Gastroenterology, the Affiliated Suzhou Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Suzhou 215008, Jiangsu Province, China
| | - Ru-Ning Ji
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, the Affiliated Suzhou Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Suzhou 215008, Jiangsu Province, China
| | - Ping Li
- Department of Digestive Disease and Nutrition Research Center, the Affiliated Suzhou Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Suzhou 215008, Jiangsu Province, China
| | - Qian Chen
- Department of Digestive Disease and Nutrition Research Center, the Affiliated Suzhou Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Suzhou 215008, Jiangsu Province, China
| | - Jian-Yun Zhu
- Department of Digestive Disease and Nutrition Research Center, the Affiliated Suzhou Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Suzhou 215008, Jiangsu Province, China
| | - Zhi Pang
- Department of Digestive Disease and Nutrition Research Center, the Affiliated Suzhou Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Suzhou 215008, Jiangsu Province, China
- Department of Gastroenterology, the Affiliated Suzhou Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Suzhou 215008, Jiangsu Province, China
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20
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Li C, Kuemmerle JF. The fate of myofibroblasts during the development of fibrosis in Crohn's disease. J Dig Dis 2020; 21:326-331. [PMID: 32092217 DOI: 10.1111/1751-2980.12852] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/31/2019] [Revised: 02/06/2020] [Accepted: 02/21/2020] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
Intestinal fibrosis is a devastating complication in patients with inflammatory bowel disease. Its characteristics include the loss of regular peristalsis and nutrition absorption, excessive deposition of extracellular matrix (ECM) components, thickness of intestinal lumen due to the formation of strictures and of scar tissue. As a major cell type involved in fibrogenesis, the myofibroblasts have already been shown to have a plastic and heterogeneous function in producing abundant collagen, fibronectin and connective tissue growth factor. The primary sources of ECM-producing and vimentin-positive myofibroblasts come from different precursor cells, including bone marrow-derived mesenchymal cells, fibrocytes, pericytes, epithelial to mesenchymal transition and endothelial to mesenchymal transition. Recent immunological research findings suggest that numerous cytokines and chemokines made from macrophages, in addition to T cells and other myeloid cell types, are also important drivers of myofibroblast differentiation and hence of the activation of myofibroblast-mediated transforming growth factor and collagen production. In this review we discuss the origins, roles and cell signaling of myofibroblasts during the development of fibrosis in different organs, particularly in Crohn's disease. Finally, we suggest that the epigenetic and immunological regulation of myofibroblast differentiation may provide a novel antifibrotic strategy in the near future.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chao Li
- Department of Internal Medicine, Division of Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Nutrition, Medical College of Virginia Campus, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, Virginia.,Department of Physiology and Biophysics, Medical College of Virginia Campus, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, Virginia
| | - John F Kuemmerle
- Department of Internal Medicine, Division of Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Nutrition, Medical College of Virginia Campus, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, Virginia.,Department of Physiology and Biophysics, Medical College of Virginia Campus, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, Virginia
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21
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Pham TT, Ban J, Hong Y, Lee J, Vu TH, Truong AD, Lillehoj HS, Hong YH. MicroRNA gga-miR-200a-3p modulates immune response via MAPK signaling pathway in chicken afflicted with necrotic enteritis. Vet Res 2020; 51:8. [PMID: 32014061 PMCID: PMC6998359 DOI: 10.1186/s13567-020-0736-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/14/2019] [Accepted: 12/27/2019] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are small non-coding RNAs that contribute to host immune response as post-transcriptional regulation. The current study investigated the biological role of the chicken (Gallus gallus) microRNA-200a-3p (gga-miR-200a-3p), using 2 necrotic enteritis (NE) afflicted genetically disparate chicken lines, 6.3 and 7.2, as well as the mechanisms underlying the fundamental signaling pathways in chicken. The expression of gga-miR-200a-3p in the intestinal mucosal layer of NE-induced chickens, was found to be upregulated during NE infection in the disease-susceptible chicken line 7.2. To validate the target genes, we performed an overexpression analysis of gga-miR-200a-3p using chemically synthesized oligonucleotides identical to gga-miR-200a-3p, reporter gene analysis including luciferase reporter assay, and a dual fluorescence reporter assay in cultured HD11 chicken macrophage cell lines. Gga-miR-200a-3p was observed to be a direct transcriptional repressor of ZAK, MAP2K4, and TGFβ2 that are involved in mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) pathway by targeting the 3′-UTR of their transcripts. Besides, gga-miR-200a-3p may indirectly affect the expression of protein kinases including p38 and ERK1/2 at both transcriptional and translational levels, suggesting that this miRNA may function as an important regulator of the MAPK signaling pathway. Proinflammatory cytokines consisting of IL-1β, IFN-γ, IL-12p40, IL-17A, and LITAF belonging to Th1 and Th17-type cytokines, were upregulated upon gga-miR-200a-3p overexpression. These findings have enhanced our knowledge of the immune function of gga-miR-200a-3p mediating the chicken immune response via regulation of the MAPK signaling pathway and indicate that this miRNA may serve as an important biomarker of diseases in domestic animals.
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Affiliation(s)
- Thu Thao Pham
- Department of Animal Science and Technology, Chung-Ang University, Anseong, 17546, Republic of Korea.,Key Laboratory of Animal Cell Biotechnology, National Institute of Animal Science, 9 Tan Phong, Thuy Phuong, Bac Tu Liem, Hanoi, 100000, Viet Nam
| | - Jihye Ban
- Department of Animal Science and Technology, Chung-Ang University, Anseong, 17546, Republic of Korea
| | - Yeojin Hong
- Department of Animal Science and Technology, Chung-Ang University, Anseong, 17546, Republic of Korea
| | - Jiae Lee
- Department of Animal Science and Technology, Chung-Ang University, Anseong, 17546, Republic of Korea
| | - Thi Hao Vu
- Department of Animal Science and Technology, Chung-Ang University, Anseong, 17546, Republic of Korea
| | - Anh Duc Truong
- Department of Animal Science and Technology, Chung-Ang University, Anseong, 17546, Republic of Korea.,Department of Biochemistry and Immunology, National Institute of Veterinary Research, 86 Truong Chinh, Dong Da, Hanoi, 100000, Viet Nam
| | - Hyun S Lillehoj
- Animal Biosciences and Biotechnology Laboratory, Agricultural Research Services, United States Department of Agriculture, Beltsville, MD, 20705, USA
| | - Yeong Ho Hong
- Department of Animal Science and Technology, Chung-Ang University, Anseong, 17546, Republic of Korea.
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22
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Li J, Mao R, Kurada S, Wang J, Lin S, Chandra J, Rieder F. Pathogenesis of fibrostenosing Crohn's disease. Transl Res 2019; 209:39-54. [PMID: 30981697 DOI: 10.1016/j.trsl.2019.03.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 56] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/28/2018] [Revised: 03/07/2019] [Accepted: 03/21/2019] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
Crohn's disease (CD) is a chronic inflammatory disease, which could affect any part of the gastrointestinal tract. A severe complication of CD is fibrosis-associated strictures, which can cause bowel obstruction. Unfortunately, there is no specific antifibrotic therapy available. More than 80% of the patients with CD will have to undergo at least 1 surgery in their life and recurrence of strictures after surgery is common. Investigations on the mechanism of fibrostenosing CD have revealed that fibrosis is mainly driven by expansion of mesenchymal cells including fibroblasts, myofibroblasts, and smooth muscle cells. Being exposed to a pro-fibrotic milieu, these cells increase the secretion of extracellular matrix, as well as crosslinking enzymes, which drive tissue stiffness and remodeling. Fibrogenesis can become independent of inflammation in later stages of disease, which offers unique therapeutic potential. Exciting new evidence suggests smooth muscle cell hyperplasia as a strong contributor to luminal narrowing in fibrostenotic CD. Approval of new drugs in other fibrotic diseases, such as idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis, as well as new targets associated with fibrosis found in CD, such as cadherins or specific integrins, shed light on the development of novel antifibrotic approaches in CD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jiannan Li
- Department of Inflammation and Immunity, Lerner Research Institute, Cleveland Clinic Foundation, Cleveland, Ohio; Department of Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Nutrition, Digestive Diseases and Surgery Institute, Cleveland Clinic Foundation, Cleveland, Ohio
| | - Ren Mao
- Department of Inflammation and Immunity, Lerner Research Institute, Cleveland Clinic Foundation, Cleveland, Ohio; Department of Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Nutrition, Digestive Diseases and Surgery Institute, Cleveland Clinic Foundation, Cleveland, Ohio; Department of Gastroenterology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Satya Kurada
- Department of Inflammation and Immunity, Lerner Research Institute, Cleveland Clinic Foundation, Cleveland, Ohio; Department of Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Nutrition, Digestive Diseases and Surgery Institute, Cleveland Clinic Foundation, Cleveland, Ohio
| | - Jie Wang
- Department of Inflammation and Immunity, Lerner Research Institute, Cleveland Clinic Foundation, Cleveland, Ohio; Department of Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Nutrition, Digestive Diseases and Surgery Institute, Cleveland Clinic Foundation, Cleveland, Ohio; School of Laboratory Medicine, Xinxiang Medical University, Xinxiang, China
| | - Sinan Lin
- Department of Inflammation and Immunity, Lerner Research Institute, Cleveland Clinic Foundation, Cleveland, Ohio; Department of Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Nutrition, Digestive Diseases and Surgery Institute, Cleveland Clinic Foundation, Cleveland, Ohio; Department of Gastroenterology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Jyotsna Chandra
- Department of Inflammation and Immunity, Lerner Research Institute, Cleveland Clinic Foundation, Cleveland, Ohio; Department of Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Nutrition, Digestive Diseases and Surgery Institute, Cleveland Clinic Foundation, Cleveland, Ohio
| | - Florian Rieder
- Department of Inflammation and Immunity, Lerner Research Institute, Cleveland Clinic Foundation, Cleveland, Ohio; Department of Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Nutrition, Digestive Diseases and Surgery Institute, Cleveland Clinic Foundation, Cleveland, Ohio.
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23
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Lenti MV, Di Sabatino A. Intestinal fibrosis. Mol Aspects Med 2018; 65:100-109. [PMID: 30385174 DOI: 10.1016/j.mam.2018.10.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 70] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/22/2018] [Revised: 10/19/2018] [Accepted: 10/28/2018] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
Extensive tissue fibrosis is the end-stage process of a number of chronic conditions affecting the gastrointestinal tract, including inflammatory bowel disease (Crohn's disease, ulcerative colitis), ulcerative jejunoileitis, and radiation enteritis. Fibrogenesis is a physiological, reparative process that may become harmful as a consequence of the persistence of a noxious agent, after an excessive duration of the healing process. In this case, after replacement of dead or injured cells, fibrogenesis continues to substitute normal parenchymal tissue with fibrous connective tissue, leading to uncontrolled scar formation and, ultimately, permanent organ damage, loss of function, and/or strictures. Several mechanisms have been implicated in sustaining the fibrogenic process. Despite their obvious etiological and clinical distinctions, most of the above-mentioned fibrotic disorders have in common a persistent inflammatory stimulus which sustains the production of growth factors, proteolytic enzymes, and pro-fibrogenic cytokines that activate both non-immune (i.e., myofibroblasts, fibroblasts) and immune (i.e., monocytes, macrophages, T-cells) cells, the interactions of which are crucial in the progressive tissue remodeling and destroy. Here we summarize the current status of knowledge regarding the mechanisms implicated in gut fibrosis with a clinical approach, also focusing on possible targets of antifibrogenic therapies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marco Vincenzo Lenti
- First Department of Internal Medicine, San Matteo Hospital Foundation, University of Pavia, Pavia, Italy
| | - Antonio Di Sabatino
- First Department of Internal Medicine, San Matteo Hospital Foundation, University of Pavia, Pavia, Italy.
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24
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Mehta SJ, Lewis A, Nijhuis A, Jeffery R, Biancheri P, Di Sabatino A, Feakins R, Silver A, Lindsay JO. Epithelial down-regulation of the miR-200 family in fibrostenosing Crohn's disease is associated with features of epithelial to mesenchymal transition. J Cell Mol Med 2018; 22:5617-5628. [PMID: 30188001 PMCID: PMC6201355 DOI: 10.1111/jcmm.13836] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/25/2018] [Revised: 06/11/2018] [Accepted: 07/12/2018] [Indexed: 12/27/2022] Open
Abstract
Intestinal mesenchymal cells deposit extracellular matrix in fibrotic Crohn's disease (CD). The contribution of epithelial to mesenchymal transition (EMT) to the mesenchymal cell pool in CD fibrosis remains obscure. The miR‐200 family regulates fibrosis‐related EMT in organs other than the gut. E‐cadherin, cytokeratin‐18 and vimentin expression was assessed using immunohistochemistry on paired strictured (SCD) and non‐strictured (NSCD) ileal CD resections and correlated with fibrosis grade. MiR‐200 expression was measured in paired SCD and NSCD tissue compartments using laser capture microdissection and RT‐qPCR. Serum miR‐200 expression was also measured in healthy controls and CD patients with stricturing and non‐stricturing phenotypes. Extra‐epithelial cytokeratin‐18 staining and vimentin‐positive epithelial staining were significantly greater in SCD samples (P = 0.04 and P = 0.03, respectively). Cytokeratin‐18 staining correlated positively with subserosal fibrosis (P < 0.001). Four miR‐200 family members were down‐regulated in fresh SCD samples (miR‐141, P = 0.002; miR‐200a, P = 0.002; miR‐200c, P = 0.001; miR‐429; P = 0.004); miR‐200 down‐regulation in SCD tissue was localised to the epithelium (P = 0.001‐0.015). The miR‐200 target ZEB1 was up‐regulated in SCD samples (P = 0.035). No difference in serum expression between patient groups was observed. Together, these observations suggest the presence of EMT in CD strictures and implicate the miR‐200 family as regulators. Functional studies to prove this relationship are now warranted.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shameer J Mehta
- Centre for Genomics and Child Health, Blizard Institute, Barts and The London School of Medicine & Dentistry, London, UK
| | - Amy Lewis
- Centre for Genomics and Child Health, Blizard Institute, Barts and The London School of Medicine & Dentistry, London, UK
| | - Anke Nijhuis
- Centre for Genomics and Child Health, Blizard Institute, Barts and The London School of Medicine & Dentistry, London, UK
| | - Rosemary Jeffery
- Centre for Genomics and Child Health, Blizard Institute, Barts and The London School of Medicine & Dentistry, London, UK
| | - Paolo Biancheri
- Centre for Immunobiology, Blizard Institute, Barts and The London School of Medicine & Dentistry, London, UK.,Norwich Medical School, University of East Anglia, Norwich, UK
| | - Antonio Di Sabatino
- Department of Internal Medicine, San Matteo Hospital, University of Pavia, Pavia, Italy
| | - Roger Feakins
- Centre for Genomics and Child Health, Blizard Institute, Barts and The London School of Medicine & Dentistry, London, UK.,Department of Histopathology, The Royal London Hospital, London, UK
| | - Andrew Silver
- Centre for Genomics and Child Health, Blizard Institute, Barts and The London School of Medicine & Dentistry, London, UK
| | - James Oliver Lindsay
- Centre for Genomics and Child Health, Blizard Institute, Barts and The London School of Medicine & Dentistry, London, UK.,Centre for Immunobiology, Blizard Institute, Barts and The London School of Medicine & Dentistry, London, UK
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