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Ahmad R, Kumar B, Thapa I, Tamang RL, Yadav SK, Washington MK, Talmon GA, Yu AS, Bastola DK, Dhawan P, Singh AB. Claudin-2 protects against colitis-associated cancer by promoting colitis-associated mucosal healing. J Clin Invest 2023; 133:e170771. [PMID: 37815870 PMCID: PMC10688979 DOI: 10.1172/jci170771] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/22/2023] [Accepted: 10/05/2023] [Indexed: 10/12/2023] Open
Abstract
Patients with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) are susceptible to colitis-associated cancer (CAC). Chronic inflammation promotes the risk for CAC. In contrast, mucosal healing predicts improved prognosis in IBD and reduced risk of CAC. However, the molecular integration among colitis, mucosal healing, and CAC remains poorly understood. Claudin-2 (CLDN2) expression is upregulated in IBD; however, its role in CAC is not known. The current study was undertaken to examine the role for CLDN2 in CAC. The AOM/DSS-induced CAC model was used with WT and CLDN2-modified mice. High-throughput expression analyses, murine models of colitis/recovery, chronic colitis, ex vivo crypt culture, and pharmacological manipulations were employed in order to increase our mechanistic understanding. The Cldn2KO mice showed significant inhibition of CAC despite severe colitis compared with WT littermates. Cldn2 loss also resulted in impaired recovery from colitis and increased injury when mice were subjected to intestinal injury by other methods. Mechanistic studies demonstrated a possibly novel role of CLDN2 in promotion of mucosal healing downstream of EGFR signaling and by regulation of Survivin expression. An upregulated CLDN2 expression protected from CAC and associated positively with crypt regeneration and Survivin expression in patients with IBD. We demonstrate a potentially novel role of CLDN2 in promotion of mucosal healing in patients with IBD and thus regulation of vulnerability to colitis severity and CAC, which can be exploited for improved clinical management.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rizwan Ahmad
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, Nebraska, USA
| | - Balawant Kumar
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, Nebraska, USA
| | - Ishwor Thapa
- School of Interdisciplinary Informatics, University of Nebraska Omaha, Omaha, Nebraska, USA
| | - Raju Lama Tamang
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, Nebraska, USA
| | - Santosh K. Yadav
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, Nebraska, USA
| | - Mary K. Washington
- Department of Pathology, Microbiology and Immunology, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, Tennessee, USA
| | - Geoffrey A. Talmon
- Department of Pathology and Microbiology, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, Nebraska, USA
| | - Alan S. Yu
- Jared Grantham Kidney Institute, University of Kansas Medical Center, Kansas City, Kansas, USA
| | - Dhundy K. Bastola
- School of Interdisciplinary Informatics, University of Nebraska Omaha, Omaha, Nebraska, USA
| | - Punita Dhawan
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, Nebraska, USA
- Fred and Pamela Buffett Cancer Center, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, Nebraska, USA
- VA Nebraska-Western Iowa Health Care System, Omaha, Nebraska, USA
| | - Amar B. Singh
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, Nebraska, USA
- Fred and Pamela Buffett Cancer Center, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, Nebraska, USA
- VA Nebraska-Western Iowa Health Care System, Omaha, Nebraska, USA
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Lama Tamang R, Kumar B, Patel SM, Thapa I, Ahmad A, Kumar V, Ahmad R, Becker DF, Bastola D(K, Dhawan P, Singh AB. Pyrroline-5-Carboxylate Reductase-2 Promotes Colorectal Carcinogenesis by Modulating Microtubule-Associated Serine/Threonine Kinase-like/Wnt/β-Catenin Signaling. Cells 2023; 12:1883. [PMID: 37508547 PMCID: PMC10377831 DOI: 10.3390/cells12141883] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/30/2023] [Revised: 07/03/2023] [Accepted: 07/11/2023] [Indexed: 07/30/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Despite significant progress in clinical management, colorectal cancer (CRC) remains the third most common cause of cancer-related deaths. A positive association between PYCR2 (pyrroline-5-carboxylate reductase-2), a terminal enzyme of proline metabolism, and CRC aggressiveness was recently reported. However, how PYCR2 promotes colon carcinogenesis remains ill understood. METHODS A comprehensive analysis was performed using publicly available cancer databases and CRC patient cohorts. Proteomics and biochemical evaluations were performed along with genetic manipulations and in vivo tumor growth assays to gain a mechanistic understanding. RESULTS PYCR2 expression was significantly upregulated in CRC and associated with poor patient survival, specifically among PYCR isoforms (PYCR1, 2, and 3). The genetic inhibition of PYCR2 inhibited the tumorigenic abilities of CRC cells and in vivo tumor growth. Coinciding with these observations was a significant decrease in cellular proline content. PYCR2 overexpression promoted the tumorigenic abilities of CRC cells. Proteomics (LC-MS/MS) analysis further demonstrated that PYCR2 loss of expression in CRC cells inhibits survival and cell cycle pathways. A subsequent biochemical analysis supported the causal role of PYCR2 in regulating CRC cell survival and the cell cycle, potentially by regulating the expression of MASTL, a cell-cycle-regulating protein upregulated in CRC. Further studies revealed that PYCR2 regulates Wnt/β-catenin-signaling in manners dependent on the expression of MASTL and the cancer stem cell niche. CONCLUSIONS PYCR2 promotes MASTL/Wnt/β-catenin signaling that, in turn, promotes cancer stem cell populations and, thus, colon carcinogenesis. Taken together, our data highlight the significance of PYCR2 as a novel therapeutic target for effectively treating aggressive colon cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Raju Lama Tamang
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Nebraska Medical Center, 985870 Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE 68198-6125, USA
| | - Balawant Kumar
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Nebraska Medical Center, 985870 Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE 68198-6125, USA
| | - Sagar M. Patel
- Department of Biochemistry and Redox Biology Center, University of Nebraska-Lincoln, Lincoln, NE 68588, USA
| | - Ishwor Thapa
- School of Interdisciplinary Informatics, College of Information Science & Technology, University of Nebraska at Omaha, Omaha, NE 68182, USA
| | - Alshomrani Ahmad
- Department of Pathology and Microbiology, University of Nebraska Medical Center, 985870 Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE 68198-6125, USA
| | - Vikas Kumar
- Department of Genetics, Cell Biology, and Anatomy, University of Nebraska Medical Center, 985870 Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE 68198-6125, USA
| | - Rizwan Ahmad
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Nebraska Medical Center, 985870 Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE 68198-6125, USA
| | - Donald F. Becker
- Department of Biochemistry and Redox Biology Center, University of Nebraska-Lincoln, Lincoln, NE 68588, USA
| | - Dundy (Kiran) Bastola
- School of Interdisciplinary Informatics, College of Information Science & Technology, University of Nebraska at Omaha, Omaha, NE 68182, USA
| | - Punita Dhawan
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Nebraska Medical Center, 985870 Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE 68198-6125, USA
- Veterans Affairs Nebraska-Western Iowa Health Care System, Omaha, NE 68105-1850, USA
- Fred and Pamela Buffett Cancer Center, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE 68198-65870, USA
| | - Amar B. Singh
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Nebraska Medical Center, 985870 Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE 68198-6125, USA
- Veterans Affairs Nebraska-Western Iowa Health Care System, Omaha, NE 68105-1850, USA
- Fred and Pamela Buffett Cancer Center, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE 68198-65870, USA
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Ahmad R, Kumar B, Tamang RL, Talmon GA, Dhawan P, Singh AB. P62/SQSTM1 binds with claudin-2 to target for selective autophagy in stressed intestinal epithelium. Commun Biol 2023; 6:740. [PMID: 37460613 PMCID: PMC10352296 DOI: 10.1038/s42003-023-05116-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/11/2022] [Accepted: 07/07/2023] [Indexed: 07/20/2023] Open
Abstract
Impaired autophagy promotes Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD). Claudin-2 is upregulated in IBD however its role in the pathobiology remains uncertain due to its complex regulation, including by autophagy. Irrespective, claudin-2 expression protects mice from DSS colitis. This study was undertaken to examine if an interplay between autophagy and claudin-2 protects from colitis and associated epithelial injury. Crypt culture and intestinal epithelial cells (IECs) are subjected to stress, including starvation or DSS, the chemical that induces colitis in-vivo. Autophagy flux, cell survival, co-immunoprecipitation, proximity ligation assay, and gene mutational studies are performed. These studies reveal that under colitis/stress conditions, claudin-2 undergoes polyubiquitination and P62/SQSTM1-assisted degradation through autophagy. Inhibiting autophagy-mediated claudin-2 degradation promotes cell death and thus suggest that claudin-2 degradation promotes autophagy flux to promote cell survival. Overall, these data inform for the previously undescribed role for claudin-2 in facilitating IECs survival under stress conditions, which can be harnessed for therapeutic advantages.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rizwan Ahmad
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE, USA
| | - Balawant Kumar
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE, USA
| | - Raju Lama Tamang
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE, USA
| | - Geoffrey A Talmon
- Department of Pathology and Microbiology, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE, USA
| | - Punita Dhawan
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE, USA
- Fred and Pamela Buffett Cancer Center, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE, USA
- VA Nebraska-Western Iowa Health Care System, Omaha, NE, USA
| | - Amar B Singh
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE, USA.
- Fred and Pamela Buffett Cancer Center, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE, USA.
- VA Nebraska-Western Iowa Health Care System, Omaha, NE, USA.
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Lama Tamang R, Juritsch AF, Ahmad R, Salomon JD, Dhawan P, Ramer-Tait AE, Singh AB. The diet-microbiota axis: a key regulator of intestinal permeability in human health and disease. Tissue Barriers 2023; 11:2077069. [PMID: 35603609 PMCID: PMC10161950 DOI: 10.1080/21688370.2022.2077069] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/06/2022] [Accepted: 05/07/2022] [Indexed: 01/21/2023] Open
Abstract
The intestinal barrier orchestrates selective permeability to nutrients and metabolites while excluding noxious stimuli. Recent scientific advances establishing a causal role for the gut microbiota in human health outcomes have generated a resurgent interest toward intestinal permeability. Considering the well-established role of the gut barrier in protection against foreign antigens, there is mounting evidence for a causal link between gut permeability and the microbiome in regulating human health. However, an understanding of the dynamic host-microbiota interactions that govern intestinal barrier functions remains poorly defined. Furthermore, the system-level mechanisms by which microbiome-targeted therapies, such as probiotics and prebiotics, simultaneously promote intestinal barrier function and host health remain an area of active investigation. This review summarizes the recent advances in understanding the dynamics of intestinal permeability in human health and its integration with gut microbiota. We further summarize mechanisms by which probiotics/prebiotics influence the gut microbiota and intestinal barrier functions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Raju Lama Tamang
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, Nebraska, USA
| | - Anthony F. Juritsch
- Department of Food Science and Technology, University of Nebraska-Lincoln, Lincoln, Nebraska, USA
| | - Rizwan Ahmad
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, Nebraska, USA
| | - Jeffrey D. Salomon
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE, USA
| | - Punita Dhawan
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, Nebraska, USA
- Veterans Affairs Nebraska-Western Iowa Health Care System, Omaha, Nebraska, USA
| | - Amanda E. Ramer-Tait
- Department of Food Science and Technology, University of Nebraska-Lincoln, Lincoln, Nebraska, USA
| | - Amar B. Singh
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, Nebraska, USA
- Veterans Affairs Nebraska-Western Iowa Health Care System, Omaha, Nebraska, USA
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Otte ML, Lama Tamang R, Papapanagiotou J, Ahmad R, Dhawan P, Singh AB. Mucosal healing and inflammatory bowel disease: Therapeutic implications and new targets. World J Gastroenterol 2023; 29:1157-1172. [PMID: 36926666 PMCID: PMC10011951 DOI: 10.3748/wjg.v29.i7.1157] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/21/2022] [Revised: 12/16/2022] [Accepted: 02/14/2023] [Indexed: 02/21/2023] Open
Abstract
Mucosal healing (MH) is vital in maintaining homeostasis within the gut and protecting against injury and infections. Multiple factors and signaling pathways contribute in a dynamic and coordinated manner to maintain intestinal homeostasis and mucosal regeneration/repair. However, when intestinal homeostasis becomes chronically disturbed and an inflammatory immune response is constitutively active due to impairment of the intestinal epithelial barrier autoimmune disease results, particularly inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). Many proteins and signaling pathways become dysregulated or impaired during these pathological conditions, with the mechanisms of regulation just beginning to be understood. Consequently, there remains a relative lack of broadly effective therapeutics that can restore MH due to the complexity of both the disease and healing processes, so tissue damage in the gastrointestinal tract of patients, even those in clinical remission, persists. With increased understanding of the molecular mechanisms of IBD and MH, tissue damage from autoimmune disease may in the future be ameliorated by developing therapeutics that enhance the body’s own healing response. In this review, we introduce the concept of mucosal healing and its relevance in IBD as well as discuss the mechanisms of IBD and potential strategies for altering these processes and inducing MH.
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Affiliation(s)
- Megan Lynn Otte
- Department of Pathology and Microbiology, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE 68198, United States
| | - Raju Lama Tamang
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE 68198, United States
| | - Julia Papapanagiotou
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE 68198, United States
| | - Rizwan Ahmad
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE 68198, United States
| | - Punita Dhawan
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE 68198, United States
| | - Amar B Singh
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE 68198, United States
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