Patient-derived enteroids provide a platform for the development of therapeutic approaches in microvillus inclusion disease

Microvillus inclusion disease (MVID), caused by loss-of-function mutations in the motor protein myosin Vb (MYO5B), is a severe infantile disease characterized by diarrhea, malabsorption, and acid/base instability, requiring intensive parenteral support for nutritional and fluid management. Human patient-derived enteroids represent a model for investigation of monogenic epithelial disorders but are a rare resource from MVID patients. We developed human enteroids with different loss-of function MYO5B variants and showed that they recapitulated the structural changes found in native MVID enterocytes. Multiplex immunofluorescence imaging of patient duodenal tissues revealed patient-specific changes in localization of brush border transporters. Functional analysis of electrolyte transport revealed profound loss of Na+/H+ exchange (NHE) activity in MVID patient enteroids with near-normal chloride secretion. The chloride channel-blocking antidiarrheal drug crofelemer dose-dependently inhibited agonist-mediated fluid secretion. MVID enteroids exhibited altered differentiation and maturation versus healthy enteroids. γ-Secretase inhibition with DAPT recovered apical brush border structure and functional Na+/H+ exchange activity in MVID enteroids. Transcriptomic analysis revealed potential pathways involved in the rescue of MVID cells including serum/glucocorticoid-regulated kinase 2 (SGK2) and NHE regulatory factor 3 (NHERF3). These results demonstrate the utility of patient-derived enteroids for developing therapeutic approaches to MVID.

Therapy Development for Microvillus Inclusion Disease using Patient-derived Enteroids

Microvillus Inclusion Disease (MVID), caused by loss-of-function mutations in the motor protein Myosin Vb (MYO5B), is a severe infantile disease characterized by diarrhea, malabsorption, and acid-base instability, requiring intensive parenteral support for nutritional and fluid management. Human patient-derived enteroids represent a model for investigation of monogenic epithelial disorders but are a rare resource from MVID patients. We developed human enteroids with different loss-of function MYO5B variants and showed that they recapitulated the structural changes found in native MVID enterocytes. Multiplex Immunofluorescence imaging of patient duodenal tissues revealed patient-specific changes in localization of brush border transporters. Functional analysis of electrolyte transport revealed profound loss of Na + /H + exchange (NHE) activity in MVID patient enteroids with near-normal chloride secretion. The chloride channel-blocking anti-diarrheal drug, Crofelemer, dose-dependently inhibited agonist-mediated fluid secretion. MVID enteroids exhibited altered differentiation and maturation versus healthy enteroids. Inhibition of Notch signaling with the γ-secretase inhibitor, DAPT, recovered apical brush border structure and functional Na + /H + exchange activity in MVID enteroids. Transcriptomic analysis revealed potential pathways involved in the rescue of MVID cells including serum- and glucocorticoid-induced protein kinase 2 (SGK2), and NHE regulatory factor 3 (NHERF3). These results demonstrate the utility of patient-derived enteroids for developing therapeutic approaches to MVID.

Conflict-of-interest statement

The authors have declared that no conflict of interest exists.

Editing Myosin VB Gene to Create Porcine Model of Microvillus Inclusion Disease, With Microvillus-Lined Inclusions and Alterations in Sodium Transporters

BACKGROUND & AIMS

Microvillus inclusion disease (MVID) is caused by inactivating mutations in the myosin VB gene (MYO5B). MVID is a complex disorder characterized by chronic, watery, life-threatening diarrhea that usually begins in the first hours to days of life. We developed a large animal model of MVID to better understand its pathophysiology.

METHODS

Pigs were cloned by transfer of chromatin from swine primary fetal fibroblasts, which were edited with TALENs and single-strand oligonucleotide to introduce a P663-L663 substitution in the endogenous swine MYO5B (corresponding to the P660L mutation in human MYO5B, associated with MVID) to fertilized oocytes. We analyzed duodenal tissues from patients with MVID (with the MYO5B P660L mutation) and without (controls), and from pigs using immunohistochemistry. Enteroids were generated from pigs with MYO5B(P663L) and without the substitution (control pigs).

RESULTS

Duodenal tissues from patients with MVID lacked MYO5B at the base of the apical membrane of intestinal cells; instead MYO5B was intracellular. Intestinal tissues and derived enteroids from MYO5B(P663L) piglets had reduced apical levels and diffuse subapical levels of sodium hydrogen exchanger 3 and SGLT1, which regulate transport of sodium, glucose, and water, compared with tissues from control piglets. However, intestinal tissues and derived enteroids from MYO5B(P663L) piglets maintained CFTR on apical membranes, like tissues from control pigs. Liver tissues from MYO5B(P663L) piglets had alterations in bile salt export pump, a transporter that facilitates bile flow, which is normally expressed in the bile canaliculi in the liver.

CONCLUSIONS

We developed a large animal model of MVID that has many features of the human disease. Studies of this model could provide information about the functions of MYO5B and MVID pathogenesis, and might lead to new treatments.

Loss of MYO5B Leads to Reductions in Na+ Absorption With Maintenance of CFTR-Dependent Cl- Secretion in Enterocytes

BACKGROUND & AIMS

Inactivating mutations in MYO5B cause microvillus inclusion disease (MVID), but the physiological cause of the diarrhea associated with this disease is unclear. We investigated whether loss of MYO5B results in aberrant expression of apical enterocyte transporters.

METHODS

We studied alterations in apical membrane transporters in MYO5B-knockout mice, as well as mice with tamoxifen-inducible, intestine-specific disruption of Myo5b (VilCre^ERT2;Myo5b^flox/flox mice) or those not given tamoxifen (controls). Intestinal tissues were collected from mice and analyzed by immunostaining, immunoelectron microscopy, or cultured enteroids were derived. Functions of brush border transporters in intestinal mucosa were measured in Ussing chambers. We obtained duodenal biopsy specimens from individuals with MVID and individuals without MVID (controls) and compared transporter distribution by immunocytochemistry.

RESULTS

Compared to intestinal tissues from littermate controls, intestinal tissues from MYO5B-knockout mice had decreased apical localization of SLC9A3 (also called NHE3), SLC5A1 (also called SGLT1), aquaporin (AQP) 7, and sucrase isomaltase, and subapical localization of intestinal alkaline phosphatase and CDC42. However, CFTR was present on apical membranes of enterocytes from MYO5B knockout and control mice. Intestinal biopsies from patients with MVID had subapical localization of NHE3, SGLT1, and AQP7, but maintained apical CFTR. After tamoxifen administration, VilCre^ERT2;Myo5b^flox/flox mice lost apical NHE3, SGLT1, DRA, and AQP7, similar to germline MYO5B knockout mice. Intestinal tissues from VilCre^ERT2;Myo5b^flox/flox mice had increased CFTR in crypts and CFTR localized to the apical membranes of enterocytes. Intestinal mucosa from VilCre^ERT2;Myo5b^flox/flox mice given tamoxifen did not have an intestinal barrier defect, based on Ussing chamber analysis, but did have decreased SGLT1 activity and increased CFTR activity.

CONCLUSIONS

Although trafficking of many apical transporters is regulated by MYO5B, trafficking of CFTR is largely independent of MYO5B. Decreased apical localization of NHE3, SGLT1, DRA, and AQP7 might be responsible for dysfunctional water absorption in enterocytes of patients with MVID. Maintenance of apical CFTR might exacerbate water loss by active secretion of chloride into the intestinal lumen.

Quality indicators for pediatric colonoscopy: results from a multicenter consortium

BACKGROUND AND AIMS

Currently, there are no quality measures specific to children undergoing GI endoscopy. We aimed to determine the baseline quality of pediatric colonoscopy by using the Pediatric Endoscopy Database System-Clinical Outcomes Research Initiative (PEDS-CORI), a central registry.

METHODS

We conducted prospective data collection by using a standard computerized report generator and central registry (PEDS-CORI) to examine key quality indicators from 14 pediatric centers between January 2000 and December 2011. Specific quality indicators, including bowel preparation, ileal intubation rate, documentation of American Society of Anesthesiologists Physical Status Classification System (ASA) class, and procedure time, were compared during the study period.

RESULTS

We analyzed 21,807 colonoscopy procedures performed in patients with a mean age of 11.5 ± 4.8 years. Of the 21,807 reports received during the study period, 56% did not include bowel preparation quality, and 12.7% did not include ASA classification. When bowel preparation was reported, the quality was described as excellent, good, or fair in 90.3%. The overall ileal intubation rate was 69.4%, and 15.6% reported cecal intubation only, calculated to be 85% cecum or ileum intubation. Thus, 15% of colonoscopy procedures did not report reaching the cecum or ileum. When excluding the proportion of procedures not intended to reach the ileum (31.5%), the overall ileal intubation rate increased to 84.0%. The rate of ileum examination varied from 85% to 95%, depending on procedure indication.

CONCLUSIONS

Colonoscopy reports from our central registry revealed significant variations and inconsistent documentation in pediatric colonoscopy. Our study identifies areas for quality improvement and highlights the need for developing accepted quality measures specific to pediatric endoscopy.

Rab11a regulates syntaxin 3 localization and microvillus assembly in enterocytes

Rab11a is a key component of the apical recycling endosome that aids in the trafficking of proteins to the luminal surface in polarized epithelial cells. Utilizing conditional Rab11a-knockout specific to intestinal epithelial cells, and human colonic epithelial CaCo2-BBE cells with stable Rab11a knockdown, we examined the molecular and pathological impact of Rab11a deficiency on the establishment of apical cell polarity and microvillus morphogenesis. We demonstrate that loss of Rab11a induced alterations in enterocyte polarity, shortened microvillar length and affected the formation of microvilli along the lateral membranes. Rab11a deficiency in enterocytes altered the apical localization of syntaxin 3. These data affirm the role of Rab11a in apical membrane trafficking and the maintenance of apical microvilli in enterocytes.

Myosin Vb uncoupling from RAB8A and RAB11A elicits microvillus inclusion disease

Microvillus inclusion disease (MVID) is a severe form of congenital diarrhea that arises from inactivating mutations in the gene encoding myosin Vb (MYO5B). We have examined the association of mutations in MYO5B and disruption of microvillar assembly and polarity in enterocytes. Stable MYO5B knockdown (MYO5B-KD) in CaCo2-BBE cells elicited loss of microvilli, alterations in junctional claudins, and disruption of apical and basolateral trafficking; however, no microvillus inclusions were observed in MYO5B-KD cells. Expression of WT MYO5B in MYO5B-KD cells restored microvilli; however, expression of MYO5B-P660L, a MVID-associated mutation found within Navajo populations, did not rescue the MYO5B-KD phenotype but induced formation of microvillus inclusions. Microvilli establishment required interaction between RAB8A and MYO5B, while loss of the interaction between RAB11A and MYO5B induced microvillus inclusions. Using surface biotinylation and dual immunofluorescence staining in MYO5B-KD cells expressing mutant forms of MYO5B, we observed that early microvillus inclusions were positive for the sorting marker SNX18 and derived from apical membrane internalization. In patients with MVID, MYO5B-P660L results in global changes in polarity at the villus tips that could account for deficits in apical absorption, loss of microvilli, aberrant junctions, and losses in transcellular ion transport pathways, likely leading to the MVID clinical phenotype of neonatal secretory diarrhea.

Navajo microvillous inclusion disease is due to a mutation in MYO5B

Microvillous Inclusion Disease (MID) is a rare, autosomal recessive gastrointestinal disease of increased frequency among the Navajos. Previous work has shown a deficiency of RAB8 in one Japanese patient, while homozygous mutations in MYO5B were found in 7 of 10 mostly Middle Eastern families. We have identified a shared homozygous mutation in MYO5B in seven affected Navajos with the expected heterozygosity in five parents. We have developed a simple restriction enzyme based assay that allows for rapid screening for this mutation.

The prevalence of suspected Barrett's esophagus in children and adolescents: a multicenter endoscopic study

BACKGROUND

The prevalence of Barrett's esophagus (BE) in young individuals is unclear.

OBJECTIVE

To estimate the prevalence of suspected BE in children and adolescent patients undergoing endoscopy.

DESIGN

A retrospective cross-sectional study.

SETTING

Prospectively collected data in the Pediatric Clinical Outcomes Research Initiative (PEDS-CORI).

PATIENTS

We identified patients younger than 20 years of age with suspected BE in the PEDS-CORI between 1999 and 2002; the corresponding histopathologic records were examined.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASUREMENTS

We analyzed the distribution of demographic and endoscopic risk factors for BE between cases and non-cases with and without suspected BE in bivariate and multivariable analyses.

RESULTS

We identified a total of 6731 patients who underwent upper endoscopy in 12 pediatric facilities. Only 17 patients had suspected BE (prevalence, 2.5 per 1000). Intestinal metaplasia was reported in only 9 of these patients (53%). Patients with suspected BE were older than patients without BE (median 14.7 vs 10.1 years; P = .011). Hiatus hernia was more commonly recorded in patients with suspected BE (11.8% vs 2.2%; P = .008). In a logistic regression model, both older age (odds ratio [OR] 1.13, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.02-1.35) and hiatus hernia (OR 4.62, 95% CI 1.03-20.66) were independently associated with suspected BE.

CONCLUSIONS

Endoscopically suspected BE is rare (<0.25%) in children and adolescents. Older age and the presence of hiatus hernia are possible risk factors for BE in this group.

LIMITATIONS

Lack of standardization for identifying and recording endoscopic landmarks.

A cluster of microvillous inclusion disease in the Navajo population

We report 4 unrelated patients with characteristic microscopic findings of microvillous inclusion disease (MID) with early-onset phenotype. All 4 patients came from the Navajo reservation in northern Arizona. A literature search revealed a fifth unrelated Navajo child with MID. The unusually high incidence in this population indicates that a founder effect might be responsible for an increased frequency of this rare genetic disorder in the Navajo. It is recommended that all Navajo infants presenting with severe diarrhea during early infancy undergo investigation for MID.

Sedation in children: adequacy of two-hour fasting

OBJECTIVES

(1) To investigate the relationship between the duration of time that children fasted before a procedure and their gastric volume and pH at the time of the procedure. (2) To compare the variables of gastric pH and volume with historical standards.

METHODS

We performed 285 gastroscopies for children aged 0.1 to 18.6 years (mean, 7.5 +/- 5.3) between October 1991 and January 1995. Duration of fasting was 0.5 to 24 hours (mean, 6.7 +/- 5.3) after ingestion of clear liquids. Immediately after intravenously administered sedation, the gastric contents were removed endoscopically with suction and direct visualization to ensure complete evacuation. The volume and pH of the gastric contents were measured and analyzed in comparison with the duration of fasting. The values obtained were also compared with historical standards thought to minimize the risk of aspiration pneumonia: gastric volume 0.4 ml or less per kilogram of body weight and pH of 2.5 or greater.

RESULTS

There was no significant correlation between duration of fasting and either gastric volume divided by body weight (mean, 0.68 +/- 1.31 ml/kg; range, 0 to 15.23 ml/kg) or pH (mean, 2.03 +/- 1.40; range, 1 to 8). There was less no significant difference in the percentage of children with gastric volume of 0.4 ml/kg or less or with pH of 2.5 or greater between the groups with the following fasting times: 30 minutes to 3 hours, more than 3 hours to 8 hours, and more than 8 hours.

CONCLUSIONS

On the basis of the data in this study and a review of the literature, we concluded that (1) fasting longer than 2 hours after ingesting clear liquids does not significantly change gastric volume or pH, (2) there is no advantage in requiring children to fast for longer than 2 hours after clear liquid ingestion before sedation or anesthesia for any procedure, and (3) fewer than half of pediatric patients actually achieve the "desirable" values of a gastric volume of 0.4 ml/kg or less and a pH value of 2.5 pH units or more, regardless of fast duration, even though these values are presented in the literature as a goal to minimize the risk of aspiration pneumonia.

Esophagitis: a frequent consequence of gastroesophageal reflux in infancy

A control group of infants was evaluated to determine criteria for the diagnosis of histologic esophagitis. Based on our observations, histologic esophagitis was defined as four or more intraepithelial neutrophils or one eosinophil per high power field or both. Esophageal biopsy specimens from 33 consecutive infants younger than 2 years who had been examined for clinically significant gastroesophageal reflux (GER) were reviewed for histologic esophagitis. Endoscopy had been performed in each patient, and 4.1 +/- 1.1 (mean +/- SD) biopsy specimens had been obtained above the distal 20% of the esophagus. Twenty (61%) infants had histologic esophagitis, including 15 with intraepithelial eosinophils alone, one with intraepithelial neutrophils alone, and four with both. Older infants (7 to 24 months) with histologic esophagitis were more likely to have moderate to severe inflammation than were infants younger than 7 months of age (P = 0.01). Endoscopic evidence for gross esophagitis was found in six (18%) infants; of these, five had abnormal biopsies, including four with moderate to severe inflammation. Among the 27 infants with a grossly normal esophagus, 14 (52%) had histologic esophagitis, including nine (33%) with moderate to severe inflammation. We conclude that in infants with clinically significant GER: (1) esophagitis is common, (2) histologic esophagitis frequently occurs in the absence of gross endoscopic findings, (3) the likelihood of moderate to severe inflammation increases after 6 months of age, and (4) intraepithelial eosinophils are a sensitive marker for acute inflammation in association with GER.

Upper gastrointestinal endoscopy in infants: diagnostic usefulness and safety

Although fiberoptic, upper gastrointestinal (UGI) endoscopy has become an accepted diagnostic technique in the older child and adult, concerns about safety have limited the use of this procedure in infants. A 1-year experience with 49 upper gastrointestinal endoscopies in infants less than 25 months of age is reported. There were varied indications for the procedures, including upper gastrointestinal hemorrhage and obstruction, but evaluation for esophagitis secondary to gastroesophageal reflux was most common. Procedures were performed without sedation in 45% of all infants studied, including 87% of infants less than 3 months of age; procedures were well tolerated. General anesthesia was used on only three occasions. A thorough examination was always possible, and biopsies were taken whenever indicated. Only one complication, transient bradycardia, occurred in a critically ill infant. This experience demonstrates that upper gastrointestinal endoscopy is a safe and effective diagnostic aid in infants, and it can often be performed with little or no sedation.

Age-related changes in chemical composition and physical properties of mucus glycoproteins from rat small intestine

Mucus glycoproteins from newborn and adult rat small intestine were radiolabelled in vivo with Na2 35SO4 and isolated from mucosal homogenates by using Sepharose 4B column chromatography followed by CsCl-density-gradient centrifugation. Non-covalently bound proteins, lipids and nucleic acids were not detected in the purified glycoproteins. Amino acid, carbohydrate and sulphate compositions were similar to chemical compositions reported for other intestinal mucus glycoproteins, as were sedimentation properties. There were, however, important differences in the chemical and physical characteristics of the mucus glycoproteins from newborn and adult animals. The buoyant density in CsCl was higher for the glycoproteins from newborn rats (1.55 g/ml versus 1.47 g/ml). On sodium dodecyl sulphate/polyacrylamide/agarose-gel electrophoresis, the glycoprotein from newborn rats had a greater mobility than the adult-rat sample. Although both preparations had similar general amino acid compositions, variations were observed for individual amino acids. The total protein content was greater in the glycoprotein from newborn animals (27%, w/w, versus 18%, w/w). The molar ratio of carbohydrate to protein was less in the newborn, primarily owing to a decreased fucose and N-acetylgalactosamine content. Comparison of the molar ratio of fucose and sialic acid to galactose for both glycoproteins demonstrated a reciprocal relationship similar to that described by Dische [(1963) Ann. N.Y. Acad. Sci. 106, 259-270]. The sulphate content was greater in the glycoprotein from newborn rats (5.5%, w/w, versus 0.9%, w/w). Both had similar sedimentation coefficients in a dissociative solvent. These results suggest an age-related difference in the types of mucus glycoproteins synthesized by small intestine.