Gastroenterology
Abstract
Intestinal stem cells are crucial for maintaining intestinal homeostasis, yet their transformation into tumor stem cells in the context of microbial infection remains poorly understood. Fusobacterium nucleatum (F. nucleatum) is frequently associated with the onset and progression of colorectal cancer (CRC). In this study, we uncovered that F. nucleatum colonized the depths of gut crypts in both human CRC patients and mouse models. Through single-cell sequencing analysis, we demonstrated that F. nucleatum infection reprogrammed crypt cells and activated LY6A+ revival stem cells (RSCs), promoting their hyperproliferation and subsequent transformation into tumor stem cells, which accelerated intestinal carcinogenesis. Mechanistically, we identified LY6A as a GPI-anchored membrane receptor for F. nucleatum. Upon binding, F. nucleatum induced upregulation of RPS14 via the LY6A receptor, driving RSC hyperactivity and tumorigenic conversion. Functional studies showed that genetic ablation of Ly6a in intestinal epithelial cells or Rps14 in LY6A+ RSCs substantially reduced F. nucleatum colonization and tumorigenesis. Moreover, clinical CRC cohorts analysis revealed a strong correlation between F. nucleatum infection, RSC expansion, and elevated RPS14 expression in tumor tissues. These findings highlight an alternative F. nucleatum-LY6A-RPS14 signaling axis as a critical driver of CRC progression and propose potential therapeutic targets for effective CRC intervention.
Authors
Qinying Wang, Tingting Hu, Qinyuan Zhang, Yichi Zhang, Xiaoxu Dong, Yutao Jin, Jinming Li, Yangyang Guo, Fanying Guo, Ziying Chen, Peijie Zhong, Yongzhi Yang, Yanlei Ma
Abstract
Background: While most hypertriglyceridemia is asymptomatic, hypertriglyceridemia-associated acute pancreatitis (HTG-AP) can be more severe than other AP etiologies. The reasons underlying this are unclear. We thus studied whether lipolytic generation of non-esterified fatty acids (NEFA) from circulating triglycerides (TGs) could worsen clinical outcomes. Methods: Admission serum TGs, NEFA compositions and concentrations were analyzed prospectively in 269 patients with AP. These and demographics, clinical outcomes were compared between HTGAP (TGs >500mg/dL; American Heart Association 2018 guidelines) and other AP etiologies. Serum NEFAs were correlated with the serum triglyceride fatty acids (TGFAs) alone, and with the product of TGFA x serum lipase (NEFA-TGFA x lipase). Studies in mice, rats were done to understand the role of HTG lipolysis in organ failure and to interpret the NEFA-TGFA correlations. Results: HTG-AP patients had higher serum NEFAs and TGs and more severe AP (19% vs. 7% p<0.03) than other etiologies. Correlations of long-chain unsaturated NEFA with corresponding TGFAs increased with TG concentrations up to 500mg/dL and declined thereafter. However, NEFA-TGFA x lipase correlations got stronger with TGs >500mg/dL. AP, and intravenous lipase infusion in rodents caused lipolysis of circulating TGs to NEFA. This led to multi-system organ failure, which was prevented by pancreatic triglyceride lipase deletion, or lipase inhibition. Conclusions: HTG-AP is made severe by the NEFAs generated form intravascular lipolysis of circulating TGs. Strategies that prevent TG lipolysis may be effective in improving clinical outcomes of HTG-AP. Trial registration: Not applicable. Funding: This project was supported by Grant numbers RO1DK092460, R01DK119646 from the NIDDK, PR191945 under W81XWH-20-1-0400 from the DOD (VPS), and R01AA031257 from the NIAAA (VPS).
Authors
Prasad Rajalingamgari, Biswajit Khatua, Megan J. Summers, Sergiy Kostenko, Yu-Hui H Chang, Mohamed Elmallahy, Arti Anand, Anoop Narayana Pillai, Mahmoud Morsy, Shubham Trivedi, Bryce McFayden, Sarah Jahangir, Christine LH Snozek, Vijay P. Singh
Abstract
BRAFV600E-mutant metastatic colorectal cancer (mCRC) is associated with poor prognosis. The combination of anti-BRAF/EGFR (encorafenib/cetuximab) treatment for patients with BRAFV600E-mutant mCRC improved clinical benefits; unfortunately, inevitable acquired resistance limits the treatment outcome, and the mechanism has not been validated. Here, we discovered that monoacylglycerol O-Acyltransferase 3 (MOGAT3) mediated diacylglycerol (DAG) accumulation contributed to acquired resistance to encorafenib/cetuximab by dissecting BRAFV600E-mutant mCRC patient-derived xenograft (PDX) model exposed to encorafenib/cetuximab administration. Mechanistically, upregulated MOGAT3 promotes DAG synthesis and reduces fatty acid oxidation (FAO)-promoting DAG accumulation and activating PKCα-CRAF-MEK-ERK, driving acquired resistance. Resistance-induced hypoxia promotes MOGAT3 transcriptional elevation; simultaneously, MOGAT3-mediated DAG accumulation increases HIF1A expression in translation level through PKCα-CRAF-eIF4E activation, strengthening the resistance status. Intriguingly, reducing intratumoral DAG by fenofibrate or Pf-06471553 restores the antitumor efficacy of encorafenib/cetuximab on resistant BRAFV600E-mutant mCRC, interrupted PKCα-CRAF-MEK-ERK signaling. These findings reveal the critical metabolite DAG as a modulator of encorafenib/cetuximab efficacy in BRAFV600E-mutant mCRC, suggesting that fenofibrate may prove beneficial for resistant BRAFV600E-mutant mCRC patients.
Authors
Jiawei Wang, Huogang Wang, Wei Zhou, Xin Luo, Huijuan Wang, Qing Meng, Jiaxin Chen, Xiaoyu Chen, Yinqiang Liu, David W. Chan, Zhenyu Ju, Zhangfa Song
Abstract
Intestinal dysmotility syndromes have been epidemiologically associated with several antecedent bacterial and viral infections. To model this phenotype, we previously infected mice with the neurotropic flavivirus, West Nile Virus (WNV) and demonstrated intestinal transit defects. Here, we find that within one week of WNV infection, enteric neurons and glia become damaged, resulting in sustained reductions of neuronal cells and their networks of connecting fibers. Using cell-depleting antibodies, adoptive transfer experiments, and mice lacking specific immune cells or immune functions, we show that infiltrating WNV-specific CD4+ and CD8+ T cells damage the enteric nervous system (ENS) and glia, which leads to intestinal dysmotility; these T cells use multiple and redundant effector functions including perforin and Fas ligand. In comparison, WNV-triggered ENS injury and intestinal dysmotility appears to not require infiltrating monocytes and damage may be limited by resident muscularis macrophages. Overall, our experiments support a model whereby antigen specific T cell subsets and their effector molecules responding to WNV infection direct immune pathology against enteric neurons and supporting glia that results in intestinal dysmotility.
Authors
Hana Janova, Fang R. Zhao, Pritesh Desai, Matthias Mack, Larissa B. Thackray, Thaddeus S. Stappenbeck, Michael S. Diamond
Abstract
Crohn's disease (CD) is marked by recurring intestinal inflammation and tissue injury, often resulting in fibro-stenosis and bowel obstruction, necessitating surgical intervention with high recurrence rates. To elucidate to the mechanisms underlying fibro-stenosis in CD, we analysed the transcriptome of cells isolated from the transmural ileum of CD patients, including a trio of lesions from each patient: non-affected, inflamed, and stenotic ileum samples, and compared them with samples from non-CD patients. Our computational analysis revealed that pro-fibrotic signals from a subset of monocyte-derived cells expressing CD150 induced a disease-specific fibroblast population, resulting in chronic inflammation and tissue fibrosis. The transcription factor TWIST1 was identified as a key modulator of fibroblast activation and extracellular matrix (ECM) deposition. Genetic and pharmacological inhibition of TWIST1 prevents fibroblast activation, reducing ECM production and collagen deposition. Our findings suggest that the myeloid-stromal axis may offer a promising therapeutic target to prevent fibro-stenosis in CD.
Authors
Bo-Jun Ke, Saeed Abdurahiman, Francesca Biscu, Gaia Zanella, Gabriele Dragoni, Sneha Santhosh, Veronica De Simone, Anissa Zouzaf, Lies van Baarle, Michelle Stakenborg, Veronika Bosáková, Yentl Van Rymenant, Emile Verhulst, Sare Verstockt, Elliott Klein, Gabriele Bislenghi, Albert M. Wolthuis, Jan Frič, Christine Breynaert, Andre D'Hoore, Pieter Van der Veken, Ingrid De Meester, Sara Lovisa, Lukas J.A.C. Hawinkels, Bram Verstockt, Gert De Hertogh, Séverine Vermeire, Gianluca Matteoli
Abstract
Intestinal fibrosis, a severe complication of Crohn’s disease (CD), is characterized by excessive extracellular matrix (ECM) deposition and induces intestinal strictures, but there are no effective anti-fibrosis drugs available for clinical application. We performed single-cell RNA sequencing (scRNA-seq) of fibrotic and non-fibrotic ileal tissues from CD patients with intestinal obstruction. Analysis revealed mesenchymal stromal cells (MSCs) as the major producers of ECM and the increased infiltration of its subset FAP+ fibroblasts in fibrotic sites, which was confirmed by immunofluorescence and flow cytometry. Single cell transcriptomic profiling of chronic Dextran Sulfate Sodium Salt (DSS) murine colitis model revealed Cd81+Pi16– fibroblasts exhibited transcriptomic and functional similarities to human FAP+ fibroblasts. Consistently, FAP+ fibroblasts were identified as the key subtype with the highest level of ECM production in fibrotic intestines. Furthermore, specific knockout or pharmacological inhibition of TWIST1, which was highly expressed by FAP+ fibroblasts, could significantly ameliorate fibrosis in mice. In addition, TWIST1 expression was induced by CXCL9+ macrophages enriched in fibrotic tissues via IL-1β and TGF-β signal. These findings suggest the inhibition of TWIST1 as a promising strategy for CD fibrosis treatment.
Authors
Yao Zhang, Jiaxin Wang, Hongxiang Sun, Zhenzhen Xun, Zirui He, Yizhou Zhao, Jingjing Qi, Sishen Sun, Qidi Yang, Yubei Gu, Ling Zhang, Chunhua Zhou, Youqiong Ye, Ningbo Wu, Duowu Zou, Bing Su
Abstract
Group 3 innate lymphoid cells (ILC3s) are key players in intestinal homeostasis. Endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress is linked to inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). Herein, we used cell culture, mouse models, and human specimens to examine if ER stress in ILC3s impacts IBD pathophysiology. We show that mouse intestinal ILC3s exhibited a 24h-rhythmic expression pattern of the master ER stress response regulator, IRE1α/XBP1. Proinflammatory cytokine IL-23 selectively stimulated IRE1α/XBP1 in mouse ILC3s through mitochondrial reactive oxygen species (mtROS). IRE1α/XBP1 was activated in ILC3s of mice exposed to experimental colitis and in inflamed human IBD specimens. Mice with Ire1α deletion in ILC3s (Ire1αΔRorc) showed reduced expression of ER stress response and cytokine genes including Il22 in ILC3s and were highly vulnerable to infections and colitis. Administration of IL-22 counteracted their colitis susceptibility. In human ILC3s, IRE1 inhibitors suppressed cytokine production, which was upregulated by an IRE1 activator. Moreover, the frequencies of intestinal XBP1s+ ILC3s in Crohn’s disease patients before administration of ustekinumab, an anti-IL-12/IL-23 antibody, positively correlated with response to treatment. We demonstrate that a non-canonical mtROS-IRE1α/XBP1 pathway augments cytokine production by ILC3s and identify XBP1s+ ILC3s as a potential biomarker for predicting response to anti-IL-23 therapies in IBD.
Authors
Siyan Cao, Jose Luis Fachi, Kaiming Ma, Alina Ulezko Antonova, Qianli Wang, Zhangying Cai, Randal J. Kaufman, Matthew A Ciorba, Parakkal Deepak, Marco Colonna
Abstract
Epigenetic regulatory mechanisms are underappreciated, yet are critical for enteric nervous system (ENS) development and maintenance. We discovered that fetal loss of the epigenetic regulator Bap1 in the ENS lineage caused severe postnatal bowel dysfunction and early death in Tyrosinase-Cre Bap1fl/fl mice. Bap1-depleted ENS appeared normal in neonates; however, by P15, Bap1-deficient enteric neurons were largely absent from the small and large intestine of Tyrosinase-Cre Bap1fl/fl mice. Bowel motility became markedly abnormal with disproportionate loss of cholinergic neurons. Single-cell RNA sequencing at P5 showed that fetal Bap1 loss in Tyrosinase-Cre Bap1fl/fl mice markedly altered the composition and relative proportions of enteric neuron subtypes. In contrast, postnatal deletion of Bap1 did not cause enteric neuron loss or impaired bowel motility. These findings suggest that BAP1 is critical for postnatal enteric neuron differentiation and for early enteric neuron survival, a finding that may be relevant to the recently described human BAP1-associated neurodevelopmental disorder.
Authors
Sabine Schneider, Jessica B. Anderson, Rebecca P. Bradley, Katherine Beigel, Christina M. Wright, Beth A. Maguire, Guang Yan, Deanne M. Taylor, J. William Harbour, Robert O. Heuckeroth
Abstract
Bacterial translocation from the gut microbiota is a source of sepsis in susceptible patients. Previous work suggests that overgrowth of gut pathobionts, including Klebsiella pneumoniae, increases the risk of disseminated infection. Our data from a human dietary intervention study found that in the absence of fiber, K. pneumoniae bloomed during microbiota recovery from antibiotic treatment. We thus hypothesized that dietary nutrients directly support or suppress colonization of this gut pathobiont in the microbiota. Consistent with our human subject study, complex carbohydrates in dietary fiber suppressed colonization of K. pneumoniae and allowed for recovery of competing commensals in mouse modeling. In contrast, through ex-vivo and in vivo modeling, we identify simple carbohydrates as a limiting resource for K. pneumoniae in the gut. As proof of principle, supplementation with lactulose, a non-absorbed simple carbohydrate and an FDA approved therapy, increased colonization of K. pneumoniae. Disruption of the intestinal epithelium led to dissemination of K. pneumoniae into the bloodstream and liver, which was prevented by dietary fiber. Our results show that dietary simple and complex carbohydrates are critical not only in the regulation of pathobiont colonization but also disseminated infection, suggesting that targeted dietary interventions may offer a preventative strategy in high-risk patients.
Authors
Aaron L. Hecht, Lisa C. Harling, Elliot S. Friedman, Ceylan Tanes, Junhee Lee, Jenni Firrman, Fuhua Hao, Vincent Tu, LinShu Liu, Andrew D. Patterson, Kyle Bittinger, Mark Goulian, Gary D. Wu
Abstract
Neutrophil (PMN) tissue accumulation is an established feature of ulcerative colitis (UC) lesions and colorectal cancer (CRC). To assess the PMN phenotypic and functional diversification during inflammatory ulceration to CRC transition we analyzed the transcriptomic landscape of blood and tissue PMNs. Transcriptional programs effectively separated PMNs based on their localization to peripheral blood, inflamed colon, and tumors. In silico pathway overrepresentation analysis, protein-network mapping, gene signature identification, and gene-ontology scoring revealed unique enrichment of angiogenic and vasculature development pathways in tumor-associated neutrophils (TANs). Functional studies utilizing ex vivo cultures, colitis-induced murine CRC, and patient-derived xenograft models demonstrated a critical role for TANs in promoting tumor vascularization. Spp1 (OPN) and Mmp14 (MT1-MMP) were identified by unbiased -omics and mechanistic studies to be highly induced in TANs, acting to critically regulate endothelial cell chemotaxis and branching. TCGA dataset and clinical specimens confirmed enrichment of SPP1 and MMP14 in high-grade CRC but not in UC patients. Pharmacological inhibition of TAN trafficking or MMP14 activity effectively reduced tumor vascular density, leading to CRC regression. Our findings, demonstrate a niche-directed PMN functional specialization, and identify TAN contributions to tumor vascularization, delineating a new therapeutic framework for CRC treatment focused on TAN angiogenic properties.
Authors
Triet M. Bui, Lenore K. Yalom, Edward Ning, Jessica M. Urbanczyk, Xingsheng Ren, Caroline J. Herrnreiter, Jackson A. DiSario, Brian Wray, Matthew J. Schipma, Yuri S. Velichko, David P. Sullivan, Kouki Abe, Shannon M. Lauberth, Guang-Yu Yang, Parambir S. Dulai, Stephen B. Hanauer, Ronen Sumagin
Copyright © 2024 American Society for Clinical Investigation
ISSN: 0021-9738 (print), 1558-8238 (online)