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Cellular and Molecular Gastroenterology... 2024Inflammatory bowel disease is associated with carcinogenesis, which limits the prognosis of the patients. The local expression of proteinases and proteinase-activated...
BACKGROUND & AIMS
Inflammatory bowel disease is associated with carcinogenesis, which limits the prognosis of the patients. The local expression of proteinases and proteinase-activated receptor 1 (PAR) increases in inflammatory bowel disease. The present study investigated the therapeutic effects of PAR antagonism on colitis-associated carcinogenesis.
METHODS
A colitis-associated carcinogenesis model was prepared in mice by treatment with azoxymethane (AOM) and dextran sulfate sodium (DSS). PAR antagonist E5555 was administered in long- and short-term protocol, starting on the day of AOM injection and 1 week after completing AOM/DSS treatment, respectively. The fecal samples were collected for metagenome analysis of gut microbiota. The intestinal myofibroblasts of the Crohn's disease patients were used to elucidate underlying cellular mechanisms. Caco-2 cells were used to investigate a possible source of PAR agonist proteinases.
RESULTS
AOM/DSS model showed weight loss, diarrhea, tumor development, inflammation, fibrosis, and increased production of inflammatory cytokines. The β-diversity, but not α-diversity, of microbiota significantly differed between AOM/DSS and control mice. E5555 alleviated these pathological changes and altered the microbiota β-diversity in AOM/DSS mice. The thrombin expression was up-regulated in tumor and non-tumor areas, whereas PAR mRNA expression was higher in tumor areas compared with non-tumor areas. E5555 inhibited thrombin-triggered elevation of cytosolic Ca concentration and ERK1/2 phosphorylation, as well as IL6-induced signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 (STAT3) phosphorylation in intestinal myofibroblasts. Caco-2 cell-conditioned medium contained immunoreactive thrombin, which cleaved the recombinant protein containing the extracellular domain of PAR at the thrombin cleavage site.
CONCLUSIONS
PAR antagonism is proposed to be a novel therapeutic strategy for treatment of inflammatory bowel disease and its associated carcinogenesis.
Topics: Animals; Receptor, PAR-1; Humans; Mice; Caco-2 Cells; Dextran Sulfate; Azoxymethane; Disease Models, Animal; Gastrointestinal Microbiome; Male; Colitis; Carcinogenesis; STAT3 Transcription Factor; Myofibroblasts; Colitis-Associated Neoplasms; Thrombin; Mice, Inbred C57BL; Crohn Disease
PubMed: 38614455
DOI: 10.1016/j.jcmgh.2024.04.001 -
Frontiers in Microbiology 2024AFY06 (LR-AFY06) is a microorganism isolated from naturally fermented yogurt in Xinjiang, China.
INTRODUCTION
AFY06 (LR-AFY06) is a microorganism isolated from naturally fermented yogurt in Xinjiang, China.
METHODS
In this study, we investigated the effects and mechanisms of LR-AFY06 in a mouse model of inflammation-associated colon cancer. The mouse model was established by azoxymethane/dextran sulfate sodium (AOM/DSS) induction. The tumor number in intestinal tissues was counted, and the histopathological analysis was performed on colon tissues. Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay and real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction were performed to measure relevant protein levels in colon tissues.
RESULTS
LR-AFY06 treatment alleviated weight loss, increased organ index, reduced intestinal tumor incidence, improved histopathological damage, decreased the levels of inflammatory cytokines such as interleukin-6 (IL-6), interleukin-1 beta (IL-1β), tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α), nuclear factor κB (NF-κB), and inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) in the serum and colon tissue, downregulated the mRNA expression of inhibitor of NF-κB beta (IκBβ), p65, p50, p52, B-cell lymphoma-2 (Bcl-2), and B-cell lymphoma-extra large (Bcl-xL) in colon tissues, and increased the mRNA expression of Bid and caspase-8. The high concentration of LR-AFY06 exerted a better effect than the low concentration; however, the effect was slightly inferior to that of aspirin. Moreover, LR-AFY06 mitigated the intestinal inflammatory process and inhibited intestinal tumor development by regulating the NF-κB and apoptosis pathways.
DISCUSSION
The present study indicates the regulatory potential of LR-AFY06 in inflammation-associated colorectal cancer in mice, providing a valuable basis for further research.
PubMed: 38572238
DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2024.1382781 -
Heliyon Mar 2024Colorectal cancer (CRC) is a type of cancer that develops in the colon or rectum and is the second leading cause of cancer-related death worldwide. Several epidemiology...
Sex differences in inflammation correlated with estrogen and estrogen receptor-β levels in azoxymethane/dextran sodium sulfate-induced colitis-associated colorectal cancer mice.
Colorectal cancer (CRC) is a type of cancer that develops in the colon or rectum and is the second leading cause of cancer-related death worldwide. Several epidemiology studies have identified a significant sexual dimorphism in CRC, with women exhibiting a lower incidence rate and delayed onset compared to men. This study aims to investigate the sexual dimorphism in the inflammatory response in colitis-associated CRC and its relationship with estrogen and estrogen receptors. An azoxymethane (AOM)/dextran sodium sulfate (DSS) mouse model was used to induce colitis-associated CRC. Five-week-old male and female mice were randomly assigned into either the control group or the AOM/DSS CRC group, with 10 mice in each group. Colitis-associated CRC was induced by injecting AOM (10 mg/kg) and administering two-cycles of DSS treatment in the drinking water. The results revealed a significant decrease in colon length exclusively in the female group, indicating more severe colonic inflammation ( 0.01). A significant interaction was identified between sex and AOM/DSS treatment in the female AOM/DSS group, with higher visceral fat weight compared to their male counterparts ( 0.05). The female AOM/DSS group also exhibited elevated production of M1 macrophage-related pro-inflammatory cytokines, suggesting increased tumor-associated macrophage activity. Surprisingly, the male AOM/DSS group showed a marked increase in serum estradiol levels, while the female AOM/DSS group exhibited a decrease compared to the normal control group. Additionally, a notable upregulation of both estrogen receptor α and estrogen receptor β expression was observed in the colon tissues of the AOM/DSS groups compared to the normal control groups, with estrogen receptor β expression being particularly pronounced in females. Taken together, our findings suggest that a decline in endogenous estrogen and increased estrogen receptors potentially contribute to the pro-inflammatory response in early CRC by augmenting cytokine expressions associated with M1 macrophage polarization in females.
PubMed: 38545214
DOI: 10.1016/j.heliyon.2024.e28121 -
Biomedicines Mar 2024Colorectal cancer is a global malignancy with a high incidence and mortality rate. THZ2, a small inhibitor targeted CDK7, could inhibit multiple human tumor growths...
Colorectal cancer is a global malignancy with a high incidence and mortality rate. THZ2, a small inhibitor targeted CDK7, could inhibit multiple human tumor growths including small cell lung cancer, triple-negative breast cancer, ovarian cancer. However, the effect of THZ2 on inflammation, especially on colitis-associated colorectal cancer, is still unknown. In this study, we assessed the anti-inflammatory and anti-tumor effect of THZ2 in the mouse models of dextran sulfate sodium (DSS)-induced acute colitis and azoxymethane (AOM)/DSS-induced colitis-associated colorectal cancer. We found that THZ2 ameliorated inflammatory symptoms, including bleeding and diarrhea, in mouse models of DSS-induced acute colitis and AOM/DSS-induced colorectal cancer. The results of Western blot and immunohistochemistry showed that THZ2 rescued the up-regulated expression of COX2, IL-6, β-catenin, and snail in the mouse models. Moreover, THZ2 inhibits the development of colorectal cancer in the mouse model of AOM/DSS-induced colitis-associated colorectal cancer. Generally, THZ2 not only can inhibit DSS-induced colitis, but also can hinder AOM/DSS-induced colorectal cancer.
PubMed: 38540292
DOI: 10.3390/biomedicines12030679 -
Biomedicines Feb 2024Intestinal bacteria play important roles in the progression of colitis-associated carcinogenesis. Colostrum-derived Probio-M9 (Probio-M9) has shown a protective effect...
Intestinal bacteria play important roles in the progression of colitis-associated carcinogenesis. Colostrum-derived Probio-M9 (Probio-M9) has shown a protective effect in a colitis-associated cancer (CAC) model, but detailed metagenomic analysis had not been performed. Here, we investigated the preventive effects of the probiotic Probio-M9 on CAC-model mice, tracking the microbiota. Feces were obtained at four time points for evaluation of gut microbiota. The effect of Probio-M9 on tight junction protein expression was evaluated in co-cultured Caco-2 cells. Probio-M9 treatment decreased the number of tumors as well as stool consistency score, spleen weight, inflammatory score, and macrophage expression in the CAC model. Probio-M9 accelerated the recovery of the structure, composition, and function of the intestinal microbiota destroyed by azoxymethane (AOM)/dextran sulfate sodium (DSS) by regulating key bacteria (including , DSM 103720, , and A4) and pathways from immediately after administration until the end of the experiment. Probio-M9 co-culture protected against lipopolysaccharide-induced impairment of tight junctions in Caco-2 cells. This study provides valuable insight into the role of Probio-M9 in correcting gut microbiota defects associated with inflammatory bowel disease carcinogenesis and may have clinical application in the treatment of inflammatory carcinogenesis.
PubMed: 38540144
DOI: 10.3390/biomedicines12030531 -
Experimental Neurology Jun 2024Malformations of cortical development (MCDs) are caused by abnormal neuronal migration processes during the fetal period and are a major cause of intractable epilepsy in...
Malformations of cortical development (MCDs) are caused by abnormal neuronal migration processes during the fetal period and are a major cause of intractable epilepsy in infancy. However, the timing of hyperexcitability or epileptogenesis in MCDs remains unclear. To identify the early developmental changes in the brain of the MCD rat model, which exhibits increased seizure susceptibility during infancy (P12-15), we analyzed the pathological changes in the brains of MCD model rats during the neonatal period and tested NMDA-induced seizure susceptibility. Pregnant rats were injected with two doses of methylazoxymethanol acetate (MAM, 15 mg/kg, i.p.) to induce MCD, while controls were administered normal saline. The cortical development of the offspring was measured by performing magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) on postnatal days (P) 1, 5, and 8. At P8, some rats were sacrificed for immunofluorescence, Golgi staining, and Western analysis. In another set of rats, the number and latency to onset of spasms were monitored for 90 min after the NMDA (5 mg/kg i.p.) injection at P8. In MCD rats, in vivo MR imaging showed smaller brain volume and thinner cortex from day 1 after birth (p < 0.001). Golgi staining and immunofluorescence revealed abnormal neuronal migration, with a reduced number of neuronal cell populations and less dendritic arborization at P8. Furthermore, MCD rats exhibited a significant reduction in the expression of NMDA receptors and AMPAR4, along with an increase in AMPAR3 expression (p < 0.05). Although there was no difference in the latency to seizure onset between MCD rats and controls, the MCD rats survived significantly longer than the controls. These results provide insights into the early developmental changes in the cortex of a MCD rat model and suggest that delayed and abnormal neuronal development in the immature brain is associated with a blunted response to NMDA-induced excitotoxic injury. These developmental changes may be involved in the sudden onset of epilepsy in patients with MCD or prenatal brain injury.
Topics: Animals; Rats; N-Methylaspartate; Female; Pregnancy; Disease Models, Animal; Cell Movement; Neurons; Rats, Sprague-Dawley; Malformations of Cortical Development; Animals, Newborn; Methylazoxymethanol Acetate; Cerebral Cortex; Male; Magnetic Resonance Imaging
PubMed: 38519010
DOI: 10.1016/j.expneurol.2024.114759 -
Frontiers in Immunology 2024Colorectal cancer (CRC) is a complex and heterogeneous disease characterized by dysregulated interactions between tumor cells and the immune system. The tumor...
Colorectal cancer (CRC) is a complex and heterogeneous disease characterized by dysregulated interactions between tumor cells and the immune system. The tumor microenvironment plays a pivotal role in cancer initiation as well as progression, with myeloid immune cells such as dendritic cell and macrophage subsets playing diverse roles in cancer immunity. On one hand, they exert anti-tumor effects, but they can also contribute to tumor growth. The AOM/DSS colitis-associated cancer mouse model has emerged as a valuable tool to investigate inflammation-driven CRC. To understand the role of different leukocyte populations in tumor development, the preparation of single cell suspensions from tumors has become standard procedure for many types of cancer in recent years. However, in the case of AOM/DSS-induced colorectal tumors, this is still challenging and rarely described. For one, to be able to properly distinguish tumor-associated immune cells, separate processing of cancerous and surrounding colon tissue is essential. In addition, cell yield, due to the low tumor mass, viability, as well as preservation of cell surface epitopes are important for successful flow cytometric profiling of tumor-infiltrating leukocytes. Here we present a fast, simple, and economical step-by-step protocol for isolating colorectal tumor-associated leukocytes from AOM/DSS-treated mice. Furthermore, we demonstrate the feasibility of this protocol for high-dimensional flow cytometric identification of the different tumor-infiltrating leukocyte populations, with a specific focus on myeloid cell subsets.
Topics: Animals; Mice; Azoxymethane; Colorectal Neoplasms; Disease Models, Animal; Flow Cytometry; Leukocytes; Tumor Microenvironment
PubMed: 38500875
DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2024.1295863 -
International Journal of Molecular... Mar 2024Patients with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) who experience long-term chronic inflammation of the colon are at an increased risk of developing colorectal cancer (CRC)....
Mitotic Spindle Positioning (MISP) Facilitates Colorectal Cancer Progression by Forming a Complex with Opa Interacting Protein 5 (OIP5) and Activating the JAK2-STAT3 Signaling Pathway.
Patients with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) who experience long-term chronic inflammation of the colon are at an increased risk of developing colorectal cancer (CRC). Mitotic spindle positioning (MISP), an actin-binding protein, plays a role in mitosis and spindle positioning. MISP is found on the apical membrane of the intestinal mucosa and helps stabilize and elongate microvilli, offering protection against colitis. This study explored the role of MISP in colorectal tumorigenesis using a database, human CRC cells, and a mouse model for colitis-induced colorectal tumors triggered by azoxymethane (AOM)/dextran sodium sulfate (DSS) treatment. We found that MISP was highly expressed in colon cancer patient tissues and that reduced MISP expression inhibited cell proliferation. Notably, MISP-deficient mice showed reduced colon tumor formation in the AOM/DSS-induced colitis model. Furthermore, MISP was found to form a complex with Opa interacting protein 5 (OIP5) in the cytoplasm, influencing the expression of OIP5 in a unidirectional manner. We also observed that MISP increased the levels of phosphorylated STAT3 in the JAK2-STAT3 signaling pathway, which is linked to tumorigenesis. These findings indicate that MISP could be a risk factor for CRC, and targeting MISP might provide insights into the mechanisms of colitis-induced colorectal tumorigenesis.
Topics: Animals; Humans; Mice; Azoxymethane; Carcinogenesis; Cell Transformation, Neoplastic; Colitis; Colorectal Neoplasms; Dextran Sulfate; Disease Models, Animal; Janus Kinase 2; Mice, Inbred C57BL; Signal Transduction; Spindle Apparatus; STAT3 Transcription Factor
PubMed: 38474305
DOI: 10.3390/ijms25053061 -
Arquivos de Gastroenterologia 2024Colorectal cancer is one of the most prevalent pathologies worldwide whose prognosis is linked to early detection. Colonoscopy is the gold standard for screening, and...
BACKGROUND
Colorectal cancer is one of the most prevalent pathologies worldwide whose prognosis is linked to early detection. Colonoscopy is the gold standard for screening, and diagnosis is usually made histologically from biopsies. Aiming to reduce the inspection and diagnostic time as well as the biopsies and resources involved, other techniques are being promoted to conduct accurate in vivo colonoscopy assessments. Optical biopsy aims to detect normal and neoplastic tissues analysing the autofluorescence spectrum based on the changes in the distribution and concentration of autofluorescent molecules caused by colorectal cancer. Therefore, the autofluorescence contribution analysed by image processing techniques could be an approach to a faster characterization of the target tissue.
OBJECTIVE
Quantify intensity parameters through digital processing of two data sets of three-dimensional widefield autofluorescence microscopy images, acquired by fresh colon tissue samples from a colorectal cancer murine model. Additionally, analyse the autofluorescence data to provide a characterization over a volume of approximately 50 µm of the colon mucosa for each image, at second (2nd), fourth (4th) and eighth (8th) weeks after colorectal cancer induction.
METHODS
Development of a colorectal cancer murine model using azoxymethane/dextran sodium sulphate induction, and data sets acquisition of Z-stack images by widefield autofluorescence microscopy, from control and colorectal cancer induced animals. Pre-processing steps of intensity value adjustments followed by quantification and characterization procedures using image processing workflow automation by Fiji's macros, and statistical data analysis.
RESULTS
The effectiveness of the colorectal cancer induction model was corroborated by a histological assessment to correlate and validate the link between histological and autofluorescence changes. The image digital processing methodology proposed was then performed on the three-dimensional images from control mice and from the 2nd, 4th, and 8th weeks after colorectal cancer chemical induction, for each data set. Statistical analyses found significant differences in the mean, standard deviation, and minimum parameters between control samples and those of the 2nd week after induction with respect to the 4th week of the first experimental study. This suggests that the characteristics of colorectal cancer can be detected after the 2nd week post-induction.
CONCLUSION
The use of autofluorescence still exhibits levels of variability that prevent greater systematization of the data obtained during the progression of colorectal cancer. However, these preliminary outcomes could be considered an approach to the three-dimensional characterization of the autofluorescence of colorectal tissue, describing the autofluorescence features of samples coming from dysplasia to colorectal cancer.
BACKGROUND
• A new digital image processing method was developed to measure intensity in 3D autofluorescence images of colorectal samples using a CRC mouse model.
BACKGROUND
• This method showed that autofluorescence intensity in colon mucosa is similar in healthy tissue but changes significantly in tumor development.
BACKGROUND
• Statistical analysis revealed CRC traits detectable from the second week post-induction, aiding in early CRC detection.
BACKGROUND
• The study provides a basis for 3D autofluorescence characterization in colorectal tissue from dysplasia to cancer, although variability in autofluorescence limits data systematization during cancer progression.
Topics: Animals; Mice; Disease Models, Animal; Microscopy; Azoxymethane; Biopsy; Colorectal Neoplasms
PubMed: 38451659
DOI: 10.1590/S0004-2803.246102023-62 -
Journal of Ethnopharmacology May 2024Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) presents a risk of carcinogenesis, which escalates with the duration of IBD. Persistent histological inflammation is considered to be...
Anchang Yuyang Decoction inhibits experimental colitis-related carcinogenesis by regulating PPAR signaling pathway and affecting metabolic homeostasis of host and microbiota.
ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE
Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) presents a risk of carcinogenesis, which escalates with the duration of IBD. Persistent histological inflammation is considered to be the driving factor of colitis carcinogenesis. Effective control of inflammation is helpful to prevent and treat colitis-related colorectal cancer (CAC). Anchang Yuyang Decoction (AYD), a traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) formula, is originated from the ancient prescription of TCM for treating colitis and colorectal cancer. AYD has demonstrated efficacy in treating IBD and potential anti-carcinogenic properties.
AIM OF THE STUDY
This research aims to assess the therapeutic efficacy of AYD in ameliorating experimental colitis-related carcinogenesis induced by AOM/DSS. It further seeks to elucidate its potential mechanisms by integrating multiple omics sequencing approaches.
MATERIALS AND METHODS
A rat model for colitis-related carcinogenesis was developed using azoxymethane (AOM)/dextran sulfate sodium (DSS). UPLC-MS identified AYD's chemical constituents. Rats were administered varying doses of AYD (18.37, 9.19 and 4.59 g/kg) orally for 53 days, with mesalazine as a positive control. The study evaluated anti-carcinogenic effects by examining adenoma number, adenoma load, abnormal crypt foci (ACF), histopathological damage, and tumor-related protein expression. Anti-inflammatory and reparative effects were assessed through body weight, disease activity index (DAI), colon length, spleen index, inflammatory cytokine levels, and tight junction protein expression. The effects on intestinal microbiota and host metabolism were explored through 16S rRNA sequencing, targeted short-chain fatty acid (SCFA) metabonomics, and non-targeted colon metabolomics. Potential AYD targets were identified through transcriptomic sequencing and validated by qRT-PCR and western blotting.
RESULTS
AYD significantly reduced adenoma number, adenoma load, neoplasm-associated lesions, ACF, and tumor-related protein expression (e.g., p53, PCNA) in AOM/DSS-induced rats, thus impeding colitis-related carcinogenesis progression. AYD also alleviated histopathological damage and inflammation, promoting intestinal mucosal barrier repair. Furthermore, AYD modulated intestinal flora structure, enhanced SCFA production, and regulated colon metabolites. Transcriptomic sequencing revealed a significant impact on the peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor (PPAR) signaling pathway. Subsequent qRT-PCR and western blotting experiments indicated AYD's influence in up-regulating PPAR-γ and down-regulating PPAR-α, PPAR-β/δ, and related proteins (thrombomodulin [Thbd], fatty acid binding protein 5 [Fabp5], stearoyl-CoA desaturase 2 [Scd2], phospholipid transfer protein [Pltp]).
CONCLUSIONS
This study demonstrates AYD's ability to inhibit experimental colitis-related carcinogenesis induced by AOM/DSS. Its mechanism likely involves modulation of the PPAR signaling pathway, impacting intestinal microbiota and host metabolic equilibrium.
Topics: Rats; Animals; Mice; Peroxisome Proliferator-Activated Receptors; RNA, Ribosomal, 16S; Chromatography, Liquid; Tandem Mass Spectrometry; Colitis; Inflammation; Signal Transduction; Inflammatory Bowel Diseases; Carcinogenesis; Azoxymethane; Gastrointestinal Microbiome; Colorectal Neoplasms; Homeostasis; Adenoma; Dextran Sulfate; Disease Models, Animal; Mice, Inbred C57BL; Colon
PubMed: 38428656
DOI: 10.1016/j.jep.2024.117995