The deficiency of chymase mast cell protease 4 exacerbates dextran sulfate sodium salt-induced colitis in mice and is associated with altered microbiota and metabolome profiles.

ABSTRACT:

Introduction

Ulcerative colitis (UC) is a chronic gastrointestinal disease characterized by symptoms of abdominal pain and diarrhea. Chymase is a serine protease released by the mast cells and is highly expressed in patients with UC. However, its role in disease pathogenesis remains poorly understood. In mice, mast cell protease-4 (MCP-4) is considered as the functional homolog of human chymase, sharing similar enzymatic activity and biological roles.

Methods

To investigate the role of MCP-4 in UC, we induced colitis in Mcpt-4-deficient (Mcpt-4^∆Cre) and littermate control (Mcpt-4^fl/fl) mice using 2% dextran sulfate sodium salt (DSS) for 8 days followed by 2 days of water. After sacrifice, colon length was measured, and tissue samples were analyzed by hi

SUBMITTER: Li Z 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12279878 | biostudies-literature | 2025

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature