Shuhong Guo

Occludin regulates macromolecule flux across the intestinal epithelial tight junction barrier

Defective intestinal epithelial tight junction (TJ) barrier has been shown to be an important pathogenic factor contributing to the development of intestinal inflammation. The expression of occludin is markedly decreased in intestinal permeability disorders, including in Crohns disease, ulcerative colitis, and celiac disease, suggesting that the decrease in occludin expression may play a role in the increase in intestinal permeability. The purpose of this study was to delineate the involvement of occludin in intestinal epithelial TJ barrier by selective knock down of occludin in in vitro (filter-grown Caco-2 monolayers) and in vivo (recycling perfusion of mouse intestine) intestinal epithelial models. Our results indicated that occludin small-interfering RNA (siRNA) transfection causes an increase in transepithelial flux of various-sized probes, including urea, mannitol, inulin, and dextran, across the Caco-2 monolayers, without affecting the transepithelial resistance. The increase in relative flux rate was progressively greater for larger-sized probes, indicating that occludin depletion has the greatest effect on the flux of large macromolecules. siRNA-induced knock down of occludin in mouse intestine in vivo also caused an increase in intestinal permeability to dextran but did not affect intestinal tissue transepithelial resistance. In conclusion, these results show for the first time that occludin depletion in intestinal epithelial cells in vitro and in vivo leads to a selective or preferential increase in macromolecule flux, suggesting that occludin plays a crucial role in the maintenance of TJ barrier through the large-channel TJ pathway, the pathway responsible for the macromolecule flux.

Heat shock protein 70 regulates cellular redox status by modulating glutathione-related enzyme activities

Abstract Heat shock protein (Hsp) 70 has been reported to protect various cells and tissues from ischemic damage. However, the molecular mechanisms of the protection are incompletely understood. Ischemia induces significant alterations in cellular redox status that plays a critical role in cell survival/death pathways. We investigated the effects of Hsp70 overexpression on cellular redox status in Madin-Darby canine kidney (MDCK) cells under both hypoxic and ischemic conditions with 3 different approaches: reactive oxygen species (ROS) measurement by a fluorescence probe, redox environment evaluation by a hydroxylamine spin probe, and redox status assessment by the glutathione/glutathione disulfide (GSH/GSSG) ratio. Results from each of these approaches showed that the redox status in Hsp70 cells was more reducing than that in control cells under either hypoxic or oxygen and glucose deprivation (OGD) conditions. In order to determine the mechanisms that mediated the alterations in redox state in Hsp70 cells, we measured the activities of glutathione peroxidase (GPx) and glutathione reductase (GR), two GSH-related antioxidant enzymes. We found that OGD exposure increased GPx and GR activities 47% and 55% from their basal levels (no stress) in Hsp70 cells, compared to only 18% and 0% increase in control cells, respectively. These data, for the first time, indicate that Hsp70 modulates the activities of GPx and GR that regulate cellular redox status in response to ischemic stress, which may be important in Hsp70s cytoprotective effects.

TNF-α modulation of intestinal epithelial tight junction barrier is regulated by ERK1/2 activation of Elk-1.

Tumor necrosis factor (TNF-α) is a proinflammatory cytokine that plays a critical role in the pathogenesis of inflammatory bowel disease. TNF-α causes an increase in intestinal permeability; however, the signaling pathways and the molecular mechanisms involved remain unclear. The major purpose of this study was to investigate the role of MAP kinase pathways (ERK1/2 and p38 kinase) and the molecular processes involved. An in vitro intestinal epithelial model system consisting of Caco-2 monolayers and an in vivo mouse model system were used to delineate the cellular and molecular mechanisms involved in TNF-α effects on tight junction barrier. The TNF-α-induced increase in Caco-2 tight junction permeability was mediated by activation of the ERK1/2 signaling pathway, but not the p38 kinase pathway. Activation of the ERK1/2 pathway led to phosphorylation and activation of the ETS domain-containing transcription factor Elk-1. The activated Elk-1 translocated to the nucleus, where it bound to its binding motif on the myosin light chain kinase (MLCK) promoter region, leading to the activation of MLCK promoter activity and gene transcription. In addition, in vivo intestinal perfusion studies also indicated that the TNF-α-induced increase in mouse intestinal permeability requires ERK1/2-dependent activation of Elk-1. These studies provide novel insight into the cellular and molecular processes that regulate the TNF-α-induced increase in intestinal epithelial tight junction permeability.

Interleukin-6 modulation of intestinal epithelial tight junction permeability is mediated by JNK pathway activation of claudin-2 gene.

Defective intestinal epithelial tight junction (TJ) barrier has been shown to be a pathogenic factor in the development of intestinal inflammation. Interleukin-6 (IL-6) is a pleiotropic, pro-inflammatory cytokine which plays an important role in promoting inflammatory response in the gut and in the systemic circulation. Despite its key role in mediating variety inflammatory response, the effect of IL-6 on intestinal epithelial barrier remains unclear. The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of IL-6 on intestinal epithelial TJ barrier and to delineate the intracellular mechanisms involved using in-vitro (filter-grown Caco-2 monolayers) and in-vivo model (mouse intestinal perfusion) systems. Our results indicated that IL-6 causes a site-selective increase in Caco-2 intestinal epithelia TJ permeability, causing an increase in flux of small-sized molecules having molecular radius <4 Å. The size-selective increase in Caco-2 TJ permeability was regulated by protein-specific increase in claudin-2 expression. The IL-6 increase in TJ permeability required activation of JNK signaling cascade. The JNK pathway activation of AP-1 resulted in AP-1 binding to its binding sequence on the claudin-2 promoter region, leading to promoter activation and subsequent increase in claudin-2 gene transcription and protein synthesis and TJ permeability. Our in-vivo mouse perfusion showed that IL-6 modulation of mouse intestinal permeability was also mediated by AP-1 dependent increase in claudin-2 expression. In conclusion, our studies show for the first time that the IL-6 modulation of intestinal TJ permeability was regulated by JNK activation of AP-1 and AP-1 activation of claudin-2 gene.

Mechanism of IL-1β Modulation of Intestinal Epithelial Barrier Involves p38 Kinase and Activating Transcription Factor-2 Activation

The defective intestinal epithelial tight junction (TJ) barrier has been postulated to be an important pathogenic factor contributing to intestinal inflammation. It has been shown that the proinflammatory cytokine IL-1β causes an increase in intestinal permeability; however, the signaling pathways and the molecular mechanisms involved remain unclear. The major purpose of this study was to investigate the role of the p38 kinase pathway and the molecular processes involved. In these studies, the in vitro intestinal epithelial model system (Caco-2 monolayers) was used to delineate the cellular and molecular mechanisms, and a complementary in vivo mouse model system (intestinal perfusion) was used to assess the in vivo relevance of the in vitro findings. Our data indicated that the IL-1β increase in Caco-2 TJ permeability correlated with an activation of p38 kinase. The activation of p38 kinase caused phosphorylation and activation of p38 kinase substrate, activating transcription factor (ATF)-2. The activated ATF-2 translocated to the nucleus where it attached to its binding motif on the myosin L chain kinase (MLCK) promoter region, leading to the activation of MLCK promoter activity and gene transcription. Small interfering RNA induced silencing of ATF-2, or mutation of the ATF-2 binding motif prevented the activation of MLCK promoter and MLCK mRNA transcription. Additionally, in vivo intestinal perfusion studies also indicated that the IL-1β increase in mouse intestinal permeability required p38 kinase–dependent activation of ATF-2. In conclusion, these studies show that the IL-1β–induced increase in intestinal TJ permeability in vitro and in vivo was regulated by p38 kinase activation of ATF-2 and by ATF-2 regulation of MLCK gene activity.

Glucose up-regulates HIF-1α expression in primary cortical neurons in response to hypoxia through maintaining cellular redox status

It has been suggested that hypoxia‐inducible factor 1 (HIF‐1), a key regulator in cell’s adaptation to hypoxia, plays an important role in the fate of neurons during ischemia. However, the mechanism of HIF‐1 regulation is still not fully understood in neurons subjected to ischemia. In this study, we demonstrated that glucose up‐regulated the expression of HIF‐1α, the oxygen‐dependent subunit of HIF‐1, in rat primary cortical neurons exposed to hypoxia. To understand the mechanism of glucose‐regulated HIF‐1α expression, we investigated the relationships between HIF‐1α expression, reactive oxygen species (ROS), and redox status. Low levels of HIF‐1α protein expression were observed in the neurons exposed to in vitro ischemic conditions that had high levels of ROS (oxidizing environments), and vice versa. The glutathione (GSH) precursor, N‐acetyl cysteine, induced HIF‐1α protein expression in hypoxic neurons while the GSH synthesis inhibitor, l‐buthionine sulfoximine, inhibited the expression. Moreover, (−)‐epicatechin gallate, a ROS scavenger, elevated HIF‐1α expression in the neurons subjected to in vitro ischemia. Furthermore, results from a systemic hypoxia model showed that a reducing environment increased HIF‐1α expression in rat brains. Taken together, these data presented the first evidence that glucose promoted HIF‐1α stabilization through regulating redox status in primary neurons exposed to hypoxia. The results imply that hypoxia only may not be sufficient to stabilize HIF‐1α and that a reducing environment is required to stabilize HIF‐1α in neurons exposed to hypoxia.

Specific inhibition of hypoxia inducible factor 1 exaggerates cell injury induced by in vitro ischemia through deteriorating cellular redox environment

Hypoxia inducible factor 1 (HIF‐1) has been suggested to play a critical role in the fate of cells exposed to hypoxic stress. However, the mechanism of HIF‐1‐regulated cell survival is still not fully understood in ischemic conditions. Redox status is critical for decisions of cell survival, death and differentiation. We investigated the effects of inhibiting HIF‐1 on cellular redox status in SH‐SY5Y cells exposed to hypoxia or oxygen and glucose deprivation (OGD), coupled with cell death analyses. Our results demonstrated that inhibiting HIF‐1α expression by HIF‐1α specific small interfering RNA (siRNA) transfection increased reactive oxygen species generation, and transformed the cells to more oxidizing environments (low GSH/GSSG ratio, low NADPH level) under either hypoxic or OGD exposure. Cell death increased dramatically in the siRNA transfected cells, compared to non‐transfected cells after hypoxic/OGD exposures. In contrast, increasing HIF‐1α expression by desferrioxamine, a metal chelator and hydroxylase inhibitor, induced a more reducing environment (high GSH/GSSG ratio, high NADPH level) and reduced cell death. Further studies showed that HIF‐1 regulated not only glucose transporter‐1 expression, but also the key enzymes of the pentose phosphate pathway such as glucose‐6‐phosphate dehydrogenase and 6‐phosphogluconate dehydrogenase. These enzymes are important in maintaining cellular redox homeostasis by generating NADPH, the primary reducing agent in cells. Moreover, catalase significantly decreased cell death in the siRNA‐transfected cells induced by hypoxia and OGD. These results suggest that maintenance of cellular redox status by HIF‐1 protects cells from hypoxia and ischemia mediated injuries.

Lipopolysaccharide Regulation of Intestinal Tight Junction Permeability Is Mediated by TLR4 Signal Transduction Pathway Activation of FAK and MyD88

Gut-derived bacterial LPS plays an essential role in inducing intestinal and systemic inflammatory responses and have been implicated as a pathogenic factor in necrotizing enterocolitis and inflammatory bowel disease. The defective intestinal tight junction barrier was shown to be an important factor contributing to the development of intestinal inflammation. LPS, at physiological concentrations, causes an increase in intestinal tight junction permeability (TJP) via a TLR4-dependent process; however, the intracellular mechanisms that mediate LPS regulation of intestinal TJP remain unclear. The aim of this study was to investigate the adaptor proteins and the signaling interactions that mediate LPS modulation of intestinal tight junction barrier using in vitro and in vivo model systems. LPS caused a TLR4-dependent activation of membrane-associated adaptor protein focal adhesion kinase (FAK) in Caco-2 monolayers. LPS caused an activation of both MyD88-dependent and -independent pathways. Small interfering RNA silencing of MyD88 prevented an LPS-induced increase in TJP. LPS caused MyD88-dependent activation of IL-1R–associated kinase 4. TLR4, FAK, and MyD88 were colocalized. Small interfering silencing of TLR4 inhibited TLR4-associated FAK activation, and FAK knockdown prevented MyD88 activation. In vivo studies also confirmed that the LPS-induced increase in mouse intestinal permeability was associated with FAK and MyD88 activation; knockdown of intestinal epithelial FAK prevented an LPS-induced increase in intestinal permeability. Additionally, high-dose LPS–induced intestinal inflammation was dependent on the TLR4/FAK/MyD88 signal transduction axis. To our knowledge, our data show for the first time that the LPS-induced increases in intestinal TJP and intestinal inflammation were regulated by TLR4-dependent activation of the FAK/MyD88/IL-1R–associated kinase 4 signaling pathway.

Mechanism of interleukin-1β induced-increase in mouse intestinal permeability in vivo.

UNLABELLED Interleukin-1β (IL-1β) has been shown to play an essential role in mediating intestinal inflammation of Crohns disease and other inflammatory conditions of the gut. Previous studies from our laboratory have shown that IL-1β causes an increase in intestinal tight-junction permeability in Caco-2 monolayers in vitro. However, the IL-1β effect on the intestinal epithelial barrier in vivo remains unclear. AIMS the major aims of this study were to examine the effect of IL-1β on mouse intestinal epithelial barrier in vivo and to delineate the mechanisms involved using an in vivo model system consisting of a recycling perfusion of mouse small intestine. Intraperitonial injection of IL-1β at varying doses (0-10 μg) caused a concentration-dependent increase in mouse intestinal permeability to the paracellular marker dextran (10 KD), and the maximal increase in dextran flux occurred at IL-1β dose of 5 μg. IL-1β treatment caused an increase in myosin light-chain kinase (MLCK) mRNA and protein expression in the small intestinal tissue starting at 24 h, which continued up to 72 h. Additionally, IL-1β did not cause an increase in intestinal permeability in MLCK-deficient mice (C57BL/6 MLCK(-/-)). MLCK inhibitor ML-7 (2 mg/kg body weight) also inhibited the IL-1β-induced increase in small intestinal permeability. The IL-1β-induced increase in mouse intestinal permeability was associated with an increase in NF-κB activation. The intestinal tissue-specific silencing of NF-κB p65 inhibited the IL-1β-induced increase in intestinal permeability and increase in MLCK expression. These data show for the first time that IL-1β causes an increase in mouse intestinal permeability in vivo. These data suggested that the mechanism of IL-1β-induced increase in mouse intestinal permeability in vivo involved NF-κB p65-induced activation of the mouse enterocyte MLCK gene.

Matrix metalloproteinase 9-induced increase in intestinal epithelial tight junction permeability contributes to the severity of experimental DSS colitis

Recent studies have implicated a pathogenic role for matrix metalloproteinases 9 (MMP-9) in inflammatory bowel disease. Although loss of epithelial barrier function has been shown to be a key pathogenic factor for the development of intestinal inflammation, the role of MMP-9 in intestinal barrier function remains unclear. The aim of this study was to investigate the role of MMP-9 in intestinal barrier function and intestinal inflammation. Wild-type (WT) and MMP-9(-/-) mice were subjected to experimental dextran sodium sulfate (DSS) colitis by administration of 3% DSS in drinking water for 7 days. The mouse colonic permeability was measured in vivo by recycling perfusion of the entire colon using fluorescently labeled dextran. The DSS-induced increase in the colonic permeability was accompanied by an increase in intestinal epithelial cell MMP-9 expression in WT mice. The DSS-induced increase in intestinal permeability and the severity of DSS colitis was found to be attenuated in MMP-9(-/-) mice. The colonic protein expression of myosin light chain kinase (MLCK) and phospho-MLC was found to be significantly increased after DSS administration in WT mice but not in MMP-9(-/-) mice. The DSS-induced increase in colonic permeability and colonic inflammation was attenuated in MLCK(-/-) mice and MLCK inhibitor ML-7-treated WT mice. The DSS-induced increase in colonic surface epithelial cell MLCK mRNA was abolished in MMP-9(-/-) mice. Lastly, increased MMP-9 protein expression was detected within the colonic surface epithelial cells in ulcerative colitis cases. These data suggest a role of MMP-9 in modulation of colonic epithelial permeability and inflammation via MLCK.