Inhibition of phosphodiesterase-4 attenuates murine ulcerative colitis through interference with mucosal immunity.

ABSTRACT:

Background and purpose

Ulcerative colitis (UC) is an aetiologically refractory inflammatory disease, accompanied by dysfunction of the epithelial barrier and intestinal inflammation. Phosphodiesterase-4 (PDE4) serves as an intracellular proinflammatory enzyme, hydrolyzing and inactivating cAMP. Though PDE4 inhibitors have been approved for pulmonary and dermatological diseases, the role of PDE4 inhibition in modulating mucosal immunity in the intestine remains ill-defined. This study was designed to explore whether PDE4 inhibition by apremilast exerts protective effects in dextran sulfate sodium-induced murine UC.

Experimental approach

Intestinal inflammation and disease severity were evaluated by morphological, histopathological and biochemical assays, and in vivo imaging.

SUBMITTER: Li H 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC6555859 | biostudies-literature | 2019 Jul

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature