JMJD3/H3K27me3 epigenetic modification regulates Th17/Treg cell differentiation in ulcerative colitis

Ulcerative colitis (UC) is a chronic nonspecific inflammatory bowel disease characterized by chronic inflammation and ulceration of the colonic mucosa, frequent relapse, and cancerization that is difficult to cure. In recent years, the incidence of UC has increased. However, its etiology and pathogenesis are still not completely clear. In this study, dextran sodium sulfate (DSS) was used to induce the model, and GSK-J1 and dexamethasone were administered to the mice. A variety of molecular biology and immunological techniques, such as immunofluorescence, PCR and chromatin immunoprecipitation (ChIP), were used to examine JMJD3/H3K27me3-mediated regulation of Th17/Treg cell differentiation in UC by targeting histone modification. This study will provide an important theoretical basis for understanding the pathogenesis and potential therapeutic targets of UC.

Progress in research of EZH2 in digestive system tumors

EZH2 is a key member of the PcG protein family and a subunit of catalytic activity in the PRC2 complex. It has histone methylation transferase activity and plays an important role in epigenetic modification. A large number of studies have shown that it is closely related to the occurrence, development, and prognosis of various digestive system tumors and is highly expressed in tumor tissues, such as gastric cancer, liver cancer, colorectal cancer, pancreatic cancer, and gallbladder cancer. In this paper, we review the biological characteristics of EZH2d , its role in digestive system tumors, and the prospect of targeted therapy for EZH2.

Compound sophorae decoction enhances intestinal barrier function of dextran sodium sulfate induced colitis via regulating notch signaling pathway in mice

BACKGROUND

Compound sophorae decoction (CSD), a Chinese Herbal decoction, is frequently clinically prescribed for patients suffered from ulcerative colitis (UC) characterized by bloody diarrhea. Yet, the underlying mechanism about how this formulae works is remain elusive.

METHODS

In the present study, the experimental colitis in C57BL/6 J mice was induced by oral administration of standard diets containing 3% dextran sodium sulfate (DSS), and CSD was given orally for treatment at the same time. The clinical symptoms including stool and body weight were recorded each day, and colon length and its histopathological changes were observed. Apoptosis of colonic epithelium was studied by detecting protein expression of cleaved caspase-3, and cell proliferation by Ki-67 immunohistochemistry. Tight junction complex like ZO-1 and occludin were also determined by transmission electron microscope and immunofluorescence. The concentration of FITC-dextran 4000 was measured to evaluate intestinal barrier permeability and possible signaling pathway was investigated. Mucin2 (MUC2) and notch pathway were tested through western blot. The M1/M2 ratio in spleen and mesenteric lymph nodes were detected by flow cytometry. And the mRNA levels of iNOS and Arg1 were examined by qRT-PCR.

RESULTS

CSD could significantly alleviate the clinical manifestations and pathological damage. Body weight loss and DAI score of mice with colitis were improved and shortening of colon was inhibited. The administration of CSD was able to reduce apoptotic epithelial cells and facilitate epithelial cell regeneration. Increased intestinal permeability was reduced in DSS-induced colitis mice. In addition, CSD treatment obviously up-regulated the expression of ZO-1 and occludin and the secretion of MUC2, regulated notch signaling, and decreased the ratio of M1/M2.

CONCLUSIONS

These data together suggest that CSD can effectively mitigate intestinal inflammation, promote phenotypic change in macrophage phenotype and enhance colonic mucosal barrier function by, at least in part, regulating notch signaling in mice affected by DSS-induced colitis.

Genetic polymorphisms of VKORC1, CYP2C9, CYP4F2 in Bai, Tibetan Chinese

BACKGROUND

VKORC1, CYP2C9 and CYP4F2 are three critical genes associated with inter-individual variation of warfarin dose. Many dosing algorithms containing these gene polymorphisms and demographic characteristics have been set up for better use of warfarin. However, with distinct gene mutation frequencies among different ethnics, dosing algorithms differ greatly. For Chinese, related research just concentrate on Han Chinese, ignoring other Chinese ethnicities. This study aims to detect the popular polymorphisms in these three critical genes in Bai, Tibetan Chinese, to start the exploration of better use of warfarin in Chinese minorities.

METHODS

PCR-based methods were used to analyze VKORC1 3673G > A, CYP2C9*3, CYP4F2 rs2108622 C > T in Han, Bai and Tibetan Chinese.

RESULTS

The differences among the mutation frequencies of the studied genes in three ethnicities were not statistically significant. The frequency of A-allele of VKORC1 3673G > A was 92.8%, 90.2%, 90.8% in Bai, Tibetan, Han Chinese, respectively. The frequency of *3-allele in CYP2C9*3 was low in Bai (4.5%), Tibetan (2.8%) and Han Chinese (4.6%). Approximately one fourth of each ethnic had the mutant T-allele of CYP4F2 rs108622. However, Bai Chinese got statistically higher A-allele frequency of VKORC1 3673G > A than previously studied Han Chinese did.

CONCLUSIONS

Bai Chinese got significant higher A-allele frequency of VKORC1 3673G > A.