Project description:UIntroduction: Ulcerative colitis (UC) is a life-threatening heterogeneous condition characterized by inflammation of the colon. Endoplasmic reticulum aminopeptidase 1 (ERAP1) is essential for antigen processing and immune regulation, however, its specific role in UC pathogenesis and therapeutic response remains unclear. This study aimed to investigate the role of ERAP1 in the response to sulfasalazine, a standard treatment for UC, using an ERAP1-heterozygous (ERAP1+/-) mouse model susceptible to colitis. Methods: Wild-type (WT) and ERAP1+/- mice were treated with 2.5% dextran sulfate sodium to induce colitis, followed by sulfasalazine administration. Colitis severity was assessed through histopathology. Immune cell populations, including neutrophils, dendritic cells, T cells, and NK1.1+ cells, were analyzed using flow cytometry. RNA sequencing of colonic tissues was performed to assess gene expression changes associated with reduced ERAP1 expression. Results: ERAP1+/- mice exhibited mildly increased susceptibility to DSS-induced colitis, with greater weight loss and distinct alterations in immune cell infiltration compared to WT mice. These differences were further pronounced after sulfasalazine treatment. RNA sequencing identified 428 differentially expressed genes between ERAP1⁺/⁻ and WT mice. Among these, 28 genes were previously associated with colitis or colorectal cancer, of which 11 were upregulated and 17 downregulated in ERAP1+/- mice. RT-qPCR confirmed significantly elevated expression of Anxa9, Atp2a1, and Hepacam2 in ERAP1+/- mice after sulfasalazine treatment, indicating a differential therapeutic response. Conclusion: Collectively, our findings show that partial ERAP1 deficiency promotes immune dysregulation, alters the expression of inflammation-associated genes, and impairs sulfasalazine efficacy. Therefore, ERAP1 may serve as a key regulator in the pathogenesis of UC and a potential target for therapy.
Project description:This study aims to investigate the protein expression profiles in a murine model of dextran sulfate sodium (DSS)-induced colitis using advanced Astral-DIA quantitative proteomics technology. A total of 12 colon tissue samples were analyzed, including 6 from healthy control mice and 6 from DSS-treated mice with induced colitis. Experimental Design Species: Mus musculus (C57BL/6 strain). Tissue Source: Colon tissues were dissected, snap-frozen in liquid nitrogen, and homogenized to extract proteins. Groups: Control Group: Healthy mice without intervention. DSS Group: Mice subjected to 2.5% DSS administration for 7 days to induce colitis, validated by histopathological assessment.
Project description:The goal of this project is to investigate the mechanisms through which high fat diet (HFD) exacerbates colitis via the liver-gut axis, particularly focusing on liver dysregulated lipid metabolism and intestinal autophagy. We examined colon transcriptomes of C57BL6/J mice fed a control diet (CD) or HFD with or without dextran sulfate sodium (DSS) by RNA seq analysis.
Project description:The goal of this project is to investigate the mechanisms through which high fat diet (HFD) exacerbates colitis via the liver-gut axis, particularly focusing on liver dysregulated lipid metabolism and intestinal autophagy. We examined liver transcriptomes of C57BL6/J mice fed a control diet (CD) or HFD with or without dextran sulfate sodium (DSS) by RNA seq analysis.
Project description:Background: Accumulating evidence shows that high fat diet is closely associated with inflammatory bowel disease. However, the effects and underlying mechanisms of maternal high fat diet (MHFD) on the susceptibility of offspring to colitis in adulthood lacks confirmation. Methods: C57BL/6 pregnant mice were given either a high fat (60 E% fat, MHFD group) or control diet [10 E% fat, maternal control diet (MCD) group] during gestation and lactation. The intestinal development, mucosal barrier function, microbiota, and mucosal inflammation of 3-week old offspring were assessed. After weaning all mice were fed a control diet until 8 weeks of age when the microbiota was analyzed. Offspring were also treated with 2% DSS solution for 5 days and the severity of colitis was assessed. Results: The offspring in MHFD group were significantly heavier than those in MCD group only at 2-4 weeks of age, while no differences were found in the body weight between two groups at other measured time points. Compared with MCD group, MHFD significantly inhibited intestinal development and disrupted barrier function in 3-week old offspring. Although H&E staining showed no obvious microscopic inflammation in both groups of 3-week old offspring, increased production of inflammatory cytokines indicated low-grade inflammation was induced in MHFD group. Moreover, fecal analysis of the 3-week old offspring indicated that the microbiota compositions and diversity were significantly changed in MHFD group. Interestingly after 5 weeks consumption of control diet in both groups, the microbiota composition of offspring in MHFD group was still different from that in MCD group, although the bacterial diversity was partly recovered at 8 weeks of age. Finally, after DSS treatment in 8-week old offspring, MHFD significantly exacerbated the severity of colitis and increased the production of proinflammatory cytokine. Conclusions: Our data reveal that MHFD in early life can inhibit intestinal development, induce dysbiosis and low-grade inflammation and lead to the disruption of intestinal mucosal barrier in offspring, and enhance DSS-induced colitis in adulthood.
Project description:Rats were randomly assigned to one of three different groups, a control (C, n=6) group that received a saline enema, a TNBS group (n=3) that received the TNBS challenge and a SAZ group (n=3) that received 500 mg/kg·day of sulfasalazine in 1% methylcellulose by oesophageal gavage. The control and TNBS groups received no treatment since they were also part of a separate experiment. All animals were sacrificed by cervical dislocation 7 days after colitis induction.
Project description:Paneth cells, intestine-originated innate immune-like cells, are important for maintenance of the intestinal stem cell niche, gut microbiota, and gastrointestinal barrier. Dysfunctional Paneth cells under pathological conditions are a site of origin for intestinal inflammation. However, mechanisms underlying stress-induced Paneth cell dysregulation remains unclear. We have previously reported that deletion of SIRT1 in the intestinal epithelium (SIRT1 iKO) leads to hyperaction of Paneth cells along with an increased sensitivity to Dextran sodium sulfate (DSS)-induced colitis. We recently generated a Paneth-cell specific SIRT1 KO mouse model (SIRT1 PKO). Similar to mice with SIRT1 iKO mice, SIRT1 PKO mice had increased abundance as well as hyperactivation of Paneth cells in vivo and in cultured intestinal organoids. However, in contrast to the hypersensitivity of SIRT1 iKO mice to chemical- or age-induced inflammation, SIRT1 PKO mice were protected from Dextran sodium sulfate (DSS)-colitis.