epidermal-growth-factor and Inflammatory-Bowel-Diseases

Both the incidence and prevalence of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) is increasing globally; in the industrialized world up to 0.5% of the population are affected and around 4.2 million individuals suffer from IBD in Europe and North America combined. Successful engraftment in experimental colitis models suggests that intestinal stem cell transplantation could constitute a novel treatment strategy to re-establish mucosal barrier function in patients with severe disease. Intestinal stem cells can be grown

Topics: Animals; Bone Morphogenetic Proteins; Cell Culture Techniques; Culture Media; Dinoprostone; Epidermal Growth Factor; Humans; Inflammatory Bowel Diseases; Intestines; Receptors, Notch; Regeneration; Regenerative Medicine; Signal Transduction; Stem Cell Transplantation; Stem Cells; Tissue Scaffolds; Transforming Growth Factor beta; Wnt Signaling Pathway

Although mucoactive proteins, such as epidermal growth factor (EGF), could improve clinical outcomes of intestinal ulcerative diseases, their gastrointestinal application is limited because of their proteolytic digestion or concerns about tumor promotion. In the present study, ATP-binding cassette (ABC) transporter-linked secretion of human EGF from probiotic Escherichia coli (EGF-EcN) was created to promote beneficial actions of the EGF receptor, which is notably attenuated in patients with intestinal ulcerative injuries. Preventive and postinjury treatment with EGF-EcN alleviated intestinal ulcers and other readouts of disease severity in murine intestinal ulcer models. EGF-EcN administration promoted the restitutive recovery of damaged epithelial layers, particularly via upward expansion of highly proliferating progenitor cells from the lower crypts. Along with the epithelial barrier benefit, EGF-EcN improved goblet cell-associated mucosal integrity, which controls the access of luminal microbiota to the underlying host tissues. Despite concern about the oncogenic action of EGF, EGF-EcN did not aggravate colitis-associated colon cancer; instead, it alleviated protumorigenic activities and improved barrier integrity in the lesions. All findings indicate that probiotic bacteria-based precision delivery of human EGF is a promising mucosal intervention against gastrointestinal ulcers and malignant distress through crypt-derived barrier restoration.

Topics: Animals; ATP-Binding Cassette Transporters; Cell Line; Cells, Cultured; Disease Models, Animal; Drug Delivery Systems; Epidermal Growth Factor; Escherichia coli; Female; Humans; Inflammatory Bowel Diseases; Intestinal Mucosa; Intestinal Neoplasms; Mice; Mice, Inbred C57BL; Probiotics; Ulcer

Potassium channels have been shown to determine wound healing in different tissues, but their role in intestinal epithelial restitution--the rapid closure of superficial wounds by intestinal epithelial cells (IEC)--remains unclear.. In this study, the regulation of IEC migration by potassium channel modulation was explored with and without additional epidermal growth factor (EGF) under baseline and interferon-γ (IFN-γ)-pretreated conditions in scratch assays and Boyden chamber assays using the intestinal epithelial cell lines IEC-18 and HT-29. To identify possibly involved subcellular pathways, Western Blot (WB)-analysis of ERK and Akt phosphorylation was conducted and PI3K and ERK inhibitors were used in scratch assays. Furthermore, mRNA-levels of the potassium channel KCNN4 were determined in IEC from patients suffering from inflammatory bowel diseases (IBD).. Inhibition of Ca(2+)-dependent potassium channels significantly increased intestinal epithelial restitution, which could not be further promoted by additional EGF. In contrast, inhibition of KCNN4 after pretreatment with IFN-γ led to decreased or unaffected migration. This effect was abolished by EGF. Changes in Akt, but not in ERK phosphorylation strongly correlated with these findings and PI3K but not ERK inhibition abrogated the effect of KCNN4 inhibition. Levels of KCNN4 mRNA were higher in samples from IBD patients compared with controls.. Taken together, we demonstrate that inhibition of KCNN4 differentially regulates IEC migration in IFN-γ-pretreated vs. non pretreated conditions. Moreover, our data propose that the PI3K signaling cascade is responsible for this differential regulation. Therefore, we present a cellular model that contributes new aspects to epithelial barrier dysfunction in chronic intestinal inflammation, resulting in propagation of inflammation and symptoms like ulcers or diarrhea.

Topics: Animals; Animals, Newborn; Biological Assay; Cell Line; Cell Movement; Diffusion Chambers, Culture; Epidermal Growth Factor; Epithelial Cells; Gene Expression Regulation; HT29 Cells; Humans; Ileum; Inflammatory Bowel Diseases; Interferon-gamma; Intermediate-Conductance Calcium-Activated Potassium Channels; Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinase 1; Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinase 3; Phosphatidylinositol 3-Kinases; Phosphoinositide-3 Kinase Inhibitors; Phosphorylation; Primary Cell Culture; Protein Kinase Inhibitors; Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-akt; Rats; Signal Transduction; Wound Healing

The MUC1 cell-surface mucin is highly expressed on the gastric mucosal surface, while MUC13 is highly expressed on the intestinal mucosal surface. Polymorphisms in both MUC1 and MUC13 have been linked to inflammatory bowel diseases. MUC1 can act as a decoy molecule on the apical cell surface of epithelial cells and thereby limit bacterial adherence, infection, and inflammation. In this study, we examined whether and how MUC1 and MUC13 modulate infectious and inflammatory signaling. Using gastrointestinal tissue from Muc1- or Muc13-deficient mice in ex vivo culture, MUC1 small interfering RNA (siRNA) silencing in MKN7 gastric epithelial cells, and MUC13 siRNA silencing in LS513 intestinal epithelial cells, we showed that loss of MUC1 increased chemokine secretion, whereas loss of MUC13 decreased chemokine secretion in response to tumor necrosis factor-α. Anti-inflammatory activity of MUC1 and pro-inflammatory activity of MUC13 were also seen after exposure to pathogens, NOD1 (nucleotide-binding oligomerisation domain-containing protein-1), and Toll-like receptor ligands. MUC1 and MUC13 both regulate chemokine secretion in gastrointestinal epithelial cells through a nuclear factor-κB-dependent pathway, although MUC13 modulation could also involve other pathways. Our studies demonstrate that MUC1 and MUC13 are important components of gastrointestinal homeostasis and that disruption or inappropriate expression of these mucins could predispose to infectious and inflammatory disease and inflammation-induced cancer.

Topics: Animals; Antigens, Surface; Cell Line; Chemokines; Epidermal Growth Factor; Gene Expression Regulation; Humans; Infections; Inflammatory Bowel Diseases; Intestinal Mucosa; Mice; Mice, 129 Strain; Mice, Knockout; Mucin-1; NF-kappa B; RNA, Small Interfering; Signal Transduction; Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha

Claudin-2 is a unique member of the claudin family of transmembrane proteins, as its expression is restricted to the leaky epithelium in vivo and correlates with epithelial leakiness in vitro. However, recent evidence suggests potential functions of claudin-2 that are relevant to neoplastic transformation and growth. In accordance, here we report, on the basis of analysis of mRNA and protein expression using a total of 309 patient samples that claudin-2 expression is significantly increased in colorectal cancer and correlates with cancer progression. We also report similar increases in claudin-2 expression in inflammatory bowel disease-associated colorectal cancer. Most importantly, we demonstrate that the increased claudin-2 expression in colorectal cancer is causally associated with tumor growth as forced claudin-2 expression in colon cancer cells that do not express claudin-2 resulted in significant increases in cell proliferation, anchorage-independent growth and tumor growth in vivo. We further show that the colonic microenvironment regulates claudin-2 expression in a manner dependent on signaling through the EGF receptor (EGFR), a key regulator of colon tumorigenesis. In addition, claudin-2 expression is specifically decreased in the colon of waved-2 mice, naturally deficient in EGFR activation. Furthermore, genetic silencing of claudin-2 expression in Caco-2, a colon cancer cell line, prevents the EGF-induced increase in cell proliferation. Taken together, these results uncover a novel role for claudin-2 in promoting colon cancer, potentially via EGFR transactivation.

Topics: Animals; Caco-2 Cells; Cell Division; Claudins; Colonic Neoplasms; Epidermal Growth Factor; ErbB Receptors; Fluorouracil; Gene Expression Regulation, Neoplastic; Gene Silencing; Humans; Inflammatory Bowel Diseases; Membrane Proteins; Mice; Mice, Nude; Protein Kinases; RNA, Messenger; Transcriptional Activation; Up-Regulation

The MUC13 transmembrane mucin is highly and constitutively expressed in the small and large intestine. Although MUC13 polymorphisms have been associated with human inflammatory bowel diseases and susceptibility to Escherichia coli infection in pigs, the biological functions of MUC13 are unknown. This study aimed to explore whether MUC13 modulates intestinal inflammation.. Muc13(-/-) mice were generated, phenotyped and challenged with the colitis-inducing agent, dextran sodium sulphate (DSS). Colitis was assessed by clinical symptoms and intestinal histopathology. Intestinal epithelial cell apoptosis and proliferation, macrophage infiltration and cytokine production were also quantified. Apoptosis of human LS513 intestinal epithelial cells in response to apoptotic agents, including DSS, was also measured, following knockdown of MUC13 with siRNA.. Muc13(-/-) mice were viable, fertile and developed normally, with no spontaneous intestinal pathology except mild focal neutrophilic inflammation in the small and large intestines of old mice. In response to DSS challenge, Muc13(-/-) mice developed more severe acute colitis, as reflected by increased weight loss, rectal bleeding, diarrhoea and histological colitis scores compared with wild-type mice. Increased numbers of F4/80(+) macrophages in inflamed mucosa of Muc13(-/-) mice were accompanied by increased expression of intestinal IL-1β and TNFα mRNA. Muc13(-/-) mice had significantly increased intestinal epithelial cell apoptosis within 3 days of DSS exposure. LS513 cells were more susceptible to DSS, actinomycin-D, ultraviolet irradiation and TRAIL-induced apoptosis when MUC13 was knocked down by siRNA.. These novel findings indicate a protective role for Muc13 in the colonic epithelium by inhibiting toxin-induced apoptosis and have important implications for intestinal infections, inflammatory diseases and the development of intestinal cancer.

Topics: Animals; Antigens, Surface; Apoptosis; Cell Line; Cell Proliferation; Colitis; Cytokines; Dextran Sulfate; Epidermal Growth Factor; Humans; Inflammatory Bowel Diseases; Intestinal Mucosa; Macrophages, Peritoneal; Mice; Mice, Knockout; Mucins; Real-Time Polymerase Chain Reaction

Supplementation with probiotics has been shown to prevent gastrointestinal damage possibly through preservation of growth factors. We tested the hypothesis that probiotics, prebiotics, or synbiotics supplementation preserves intestinal insulin-like growth factors (IGFs) and epidermal growth factors (EGFs) in formula-fed neonatal rats.. At birth (postnatal day 0 [P0]), neonatal rat pups (n = 18 pups/group) were either maternally fed or hand-gavaged with formula supplemented with probiotics (Pro-Fed), prebiotics, or synbiotics from P0 to P3. A formula-fed control group received formula without supplementation. At P4, large bowel samples were assessed histologically and assayed for vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), soluble VEGF receptor-1, IGF-I, IGF-II, and EGF.. All formula-fed groups were severely growth suppressed with comparable mortalities. Moderate preservation of bowel integrity was noted in the Pro-Fed group. In contrast, severe inflammation was seen in all of the other formula groups. This was associated with significant increases in VEGF levels in all of the formula groups (P < 0.05) except the Pre-Fed group. Similar elevations in soluble VEGF receptor-1 (P < 0.05), IGF-I (P < 0.05), and EGF (P < 0.05) were noted, but statistical significance was achieved only in the Pro-Fed group.. Induction of IGF-I and EGF with moderate bowel integrity may represent a protective effect of probiotics against formula-induced inflammation. These data, taken collectively, suggest that probiotics may provide more beneficial effects on the developing large bowel than prebiotics and synbiotics.

Topics: Animals; Animals, Newborn; Disease Models, Animal; Epidermal Growth Factor; Inflammatory Bowel Diseases; Insulin-Like Growth Factor I; Insulin-Like Growth Factor II; Intercellular Signaling Peptides and Proteins; Intestine, Large; Prebiotics; Probiotics; Rats; Rats, Sprague-Dawley; Receptors, Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor; Severity of Illness Index; Synbiotics; Treatment Outcome; Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A

Amphiregulin and epiregulin belong to the epidermal growth factor family and mediate the biological functions of epithelial and mesenchymal cells through epidermal growth factor receptors. In this study, we evaluated the amphiregulin and epiregulin expression in neoplastic and inflammatory lesions from the human colon. Surgically-obtained specimens were stained using standard immunohistochemical procedures. Amphiregulin and epiregulin were not expressed in the normal colonic mucosa, but were clearly detectable in adenomas and carcinomas. Weak immunostaining was also detected in mesenchymal cells from the tumor tissues. In the active mucosa of patients with ulcerative colitis and Crohn's disease, amphiregulin was mainly expressed by the epithelial cells. In addition, positive immunostaining was also detectable in the surrounding mesenchymal cells. In conclusion, amphiregulin and epiregulin may play important roles in colonic tumor growth and mucosal repair in the inflamed mucosa of inflammatory bowel disease.

Topics: Amphiregulin; Colonic Neoplasms; EGF Family of Proteins; Epidermal Growth Factor; Epiregulin; Glycoproteins; Humans; Immunohistochemistry; Inflammatory Bowel Diseases; Intercellular Signaling Peptides and Proteins

Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) affects more than 1 million Americans with more than 30,000 new cases diagnosed each year. IBD increases patient morbidity and susceptibility to colorectal cancer, yet its etiology remains unknown. Current models identify two key determinants of IBD pathogenesis: hyperpermeability of the gut epithelial barrier to bacterial products and an abnormal immune response to these products. Two factors seem critical for hyperpermeability: oxidant-induced stress and proinflammatory cytokines (e.g., tumor necrosis factor-alpha). The aim of this study was to investigate the role of oxidant stress-mediated transactivation of the epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) in intestinal hyperpermeability. This study used the Caco-2 human colonic epithelial cell in vitro model of intestinal epithelium. Cells were grown on inserts for permeability and signaling studies and glass coverslips for microscopy studies. show that oxidant-induced intestinal hyperpermeability can be blocked by specific inhibitors of the EGFR, tumor necrosis factor convertase (TACE) metalloprotease, transforming growth factor (TGF)-alpha, and mitogen-activated protein kinases, especially extracellular signal-regulated kinase 1/2. We also show that oxidant initiates these signaling events, in part by causing translocation of TACE to cell-cell contact zones. In this study, our data identify a novel mechanism for oxidant-induced intestinal hyperpermeability relevant to IBD. We propose a new intestinal permeability model in which oxidant transactivates EGFR signaling by activation of TACE and cleavage of precursor TGF-alpha. These data could have a significant effect on our view of IBD pathogenesis and provide new therapeutic targets for IBD treatment.

Topics: ADAM Proteins; ADAM17 Protein; Blotting, Western; Caco-2 Cells; Epidermal Growth Factor; Humans; Hydrogen Peroxide; Image Processing, Computer-Assisted; Inflammatory Bowel Diseases; Intercellular Junctions; Intestinal Mucosa; Metalloproteases; Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinase 1; Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinase 3; Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinases; Oxidants; Oxidative Stress; Permeability; Reverse Transcriptase Polymerase Chain Reaction; RNA, Neoplasm; RNA, Small Interfering; Signal Transduction; Transcriptional Activation; Transforming Growth Factor alpha

Using monolayers of human intestinal (Caco-2) cells, we showed that epidermal growth factor (EGF) protects intestinal barrier integrity against oxidant injury by protecting the microtubules and that protein kinase C (PKC) is required. Because atypical PKC-zeta isoform is abundant in wild-type (WT) Caco-2 cells, we hypothesized that PKC-zeta mediates, at least in part, EGF protection. Intestinal cells (Caco-2 or HT-29) were transfected to stably over- or underexpress PKC-zeta. These clones were preincubated with low or high doses of EGF or a PKC activator [1-oleoyl-2-acetyl-sn-glycerol (OAG)] before oxidant (0.5 mM H(2)O(2)). Relative to WT cells exposed to oxidant, only monolayers of transfected cells overexpressing PKC-zeta (2.9-fold) were protected against oxidant injury as indicated by increases in polymerized tubulin and decreases in monomeric tubulin, enhancement of architectural stability of the microtubule cytoskeleton, and increases in monolayer barrier integrity toward control levels (62% less leakiness). Overexpression-induced protection was OAG independent and even EGF independent, but EGF significantly potentiated PKC-zeta protection. Most overexpressed PKC-zeta (92%) resided in membrane and cytoskeletal fractions, indicating constitutive activation of PKC-zeta. Stably inhibiting PKC-zeta expression (95%) with antisense transfection substantially attenuated EGF protection as demonstrated by reduced tubulin assembly and increased microtubule disassembly, disruption of the microtubule cytoskeleton, and loss of monolayer barrier integrity. We conclude that 1) activation of PKC-zeta is necessary for EGF-induced protection, 2) PKC-zeta appears to be an endogenous stabilizer of the microtubule cytoskeleton and of intestinal barrier function against oxidative injury, and 3) we have identified a novel biological function (protection) among the atypical isoforms of PKC.

Topics: Caco-2 Cells; Cell Membrane Permeability; Diglycerides; Epidermal Growth Factor; Gene Expression Regulation, Enzymologic; HT29 Cells; Humans; Inflammatory Bowel Diseases; Intestinal Mucosa; Microtubules; Oligonucleotides, Antisense; Oxidative Stress; Protein Kinase C; Transfection

Reactive oxygen metabolites (ROM) are increased in the inflamed mucosa of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) and may contribute to loss of intestinal barrier function in this disorder. Growth factors (GF) are protective. But the mechanisms of disruption and protection remain elusive. In the present investigation, we hypothesized that the microtubules (a critical cytoskeletal element) play a key role in the molecular mechanism of intestinal barrier dysfunction induced by ROM and in GF-mediated protection. Utilizing monolayers of a human colonic cell line (Caco-2), we evaluated the effects of ROM (H(2)O(2) or HOCl), in the presence or absence of GF (epidermal growth factor [EGF]; transforming growth factor-alpha [TGF-alpha]), on intestinal barrier function, tubulin (microtubule structural protein), and microtubule stability. Monolayers were also processed for two highly sensitive western immunoblots: fractionated polymerized tubulin (S2; an index of stability); monomeric tubulin (S1; an index of disruption) to detect the oxidation and disassembly/assembly of tubulin. ROM exposure led to a significant increase in the oxidation of tubulin, decrease in the stable S2 polymerized tubulin, and increase in the unstable S1 monomeric tubulin. In concert, each ROM in a dose dependent manner damaged the microtubule cytoskeleton and disrupted barrier function. GF pretreatment not only increased the S2 stable tubulin and decreased tubulin oxidation but also, concomitantly, prevented the disruption of microtubules and loss of barrier function in monolayers exposed to ROM. Antibody against the GF-receptor and inhibitors of GF-receptor tyrosine kinase abolished GF protection, indicating the involvement of epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) signaling pathway. As predicted, colchicine, an inhibitor of microtubule assembly, caused barrier dysfunction and prevented GF protection whereas taxol, a microtubule-stabilizing agent, mimicked the protective effects of GF. Thus, organization and stability of the microtubule cytoskeleton appears to be critical to both oxidant-induced mucosal barrier dysfunction and protection of intestinal barrier mediated by GF. Therefore, microtubules may be useful targets for development of drugs for the treatment of IBD.

Topics: Caco-2 Cells; Colchicine; Cytoskeleton; Epidermal Growth Factor; Humans; Hydrogen Peroxide; Inflammatory Bowel Diseases; Intestinal Absorption; Intestinal Mucosa; Microtubules; Oxidants; Oxidation-Reduction; Paclitaxel; Reactive Oxygen Species; Transforming Growth Factor alpha; Tubulin

We investigated the ability of isolated human colonic epithelial cells to express the common acute lymphoblastic leukemia antigen (CALLA), the transferrin receptor, and the 4F2 antigen in response to different types of stimuli. The expression of these markers was assessed by immunofluorescence using monoclonal antibodies. Thirty-two percent of freshly isolated colonic epithelial cells from actively inflamed mucosa of patients with inflammatory bowel disease expressed the 4F2 antigen, 28% the transferrin receptor, and 13% the CALLA. Normal colonic epithelial cells were cultured and the kinetics of expression of the three antigens was studied. A significant increase in the expression of the three markers was observed throughout the culture period in response to the lectin phytohemagglutinin and the epidermal growth factor. The kinetics of expression of the 4F2 antigen and the CALLA after lectin stimulation appeared to differ from that observed after epidermal growth factor. At the end of the cultures one-third of the cells expressed the 4F2 antigen and the transferrin receptor, whereas one-fifth were positive for CALLA. Thus, after these cultures the expression of the three markers was quantitatively similar to that observed with freshly isolated cells from inflamed mucosa. gamma-Interferon markedly induced the 4F2 antigen but had no effect on the transferrin receptor and the CALLA. These data demonstrate that colonic epithelium is capable of expressing the 4F2 antigen and the CALLA in association with the transferrin receptor.

Topics: Antibodies, Monoclonal; Antigens, Differentiation; Antigens, Neoplasm; Antigens, Surface; Cells, Cultured; Colon; Epidermal Growth Factor; Epithelium; Fluorescent Antibody Technique; Fusion Regulatory Protein-1; Humans; Inflammatory Bowel Diseases; Interferon-gamma; Intestinal Mucosa; Neprilysin; Phytohemagglutinins; Receptors, Transferrin

Colonic epithelial cells (CEC) were isolated from actively inflamed mucosa of IBD patients and checked for HLA-DR, HLA-DP, and HLA-DQ. Half of the freshly isolated CEC from IBD tissue expressed DR, and one third were positive for DP and DQ. Normal human CEC were then cultured for 24 h and their expression of these markers in response to different types of in vitro stimulation was investigated. A significant increase in the expression of DR, DP and DQ was observed in response to the nonspecific mitogen phytohaemagglutinin (PHA), the lymphokine gamma-interferon (gamma-IFN) and the epidermal growth factor (EGF). The enhancement of DR expression was more marked than that of DP and DQ. The effect of gamma-IFN was more rapid and significantly more marked than that of either PHA and EGF for all three antigens. EGF appeared to be more potent than PHA in enhancing the expression of DP and DQ. The data from this study indicate that HLA-D region antigens can be induced on human CEC by different types of stimuli and provide further evidence that the expression of these markers in the colonic epithelium is a normal event the magnitude of which can increase under various circumstances. The data also suggest that the increased expression of HLA-D region antigens by IBD CEC occurs as a result of different mechanisms, and that this expression is an indicator of the active participation of the colonic epithelium to the mucosal inflammatory response.

Topics: Cells, Cultured; Colon; Epidermal Growth Factor; HLA-D Antigens; HLA-DP Antigens; HLA-DQ Antigens; HLA-DR Antigens; Humans; Inflammatory Bowel Diseases; Interferon-gamma; Intestinal Mucosa; Phytohemagglutinins; Time Factors