scholarly journals The JAK-Inhibitor Tofacitinib Rescues Human Intestinal Epithelial Cells and Colonoids from Cytokine-Induced Barrier Dysfunction

2019 ◽  
Vol 26 (3) ◽  
pp. 407-422 ◽  
Author(s):  
Anica Sayoc-Becerra ◽  
Moorthy Krishnan ◽  
Shujun Fan ◽  
Jossue Jimenez ◽  
Rebecca Hernandez ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Epithelial Cells ◽  
Tight Junction ◽  
Tight Junctions ◽  
Barrier Function ◽  
Intestinal Epithelial Cells ◽  
Janus Kinase ◽  
Intestinal Epithelial ◽  
Jak Inhibitor ◽  
Barrier Dysfunction ◽  
Ifn Γ

Abstract Background Alterations to epithelial tight junctions can compromise the ability of the epithelium to act as a barrier between luminal contents and the underlying tissues, thereby increasing intestinal permeability, an early critical event in inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). Tofacitinib (Xeljanz), an orally administered pan-Janus kinase (JAK) inhibitor, was recently approved for the treatment of moderate to severe ulcerative colitis. Nevertheless, the effects of tofacitinib on intestinal epithelial cell functions are largely unknown. The aim of this study was to determine if JAK inhibition by tofacitinib can rescue cytokine-induced barrier dysfunction in intestinal epithelial cells (IECs). Methods T84 IECs were used to evaluate the effects of tofacitinib on JAK-signal transducer and activator of transcription (STAT) activation, barrier permeability, and expression and localization of tight junction proteins. The impact of tofacitinib on claudin-2 promoter activity was assessed in HT-29 IECs. Tofacitinib rescue of barrier function was also tested in human colonic stem cell-derived organoids. Results Pretreatment with tofacitinib prevented IFN-γ-induced decreases in transepithelial electrical resistance (TER) and increases in 4 kDa FITC-dextran permeability (FD4), partly due to claudin-2 transcriptional regulation and restriction of ZO-1 rearrangement at tight junctions. Although tofacitinib administered after IFN-γ challenge only partially normalized TER and claudin-2 levels, FD4 permeability and ZO-1 localization were fully recovered. The IFN-γ-induced FD4 permeability in primary human colonoids was fully rescued by tofacitinib. Conclusions These data suggest differential therapeutic efficacy of tofacitinib in the rescue of pore vs leak-tight junction barrier defects and indicate a potential contribution of improved epithelial barrier function to the beneficial effects of tofacitinib in IBD patients.

scholarly journals JunD Represses Transcription and Translation of the Tight Junction Protein Zona Occludens-1 Modulating Intestinal Epithelial Barrier Function

2008 ◽  
Vol 19 (9) ◽  
pp. 3701-3712 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jie Chen ◽  
Lan Xiao ◽  
Jaladanki N. Rao ◽  
Tongtong Zou ◽  
Lan Liu ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Epithelial Cells ◽  
Tight Junction ◽  
Barrier Function ◽  
Intestinal Epithelial Cells ◽  
Binding Protein ◽  
Mrna Translation ◽  
Epithelial Barrier ◽  
Intestinal Epithelial ◽  
Intestinal Epithelial Barrier ◽  
Epithelial Barrier Function

The AP-1 transcription factor JunD is highly expressed in intestinal epithelial cells, but its exact role in maintaining the integrity of intestinal epithelial barrier remains unknown. The tight junction (TJ) protein zonula occludens (ZO)-1 links the intracellular domain of TJ-transmembrane proteins occludin, claudins, and junctional adhesion molecules to many cytoplasmic proteins and the actin cytoskeleton and is crucial for assembly of the TJ complex. Here, we show that JunD negatively regulates expression of ZO-1 and is implicated in the regulation of intestinal epithelial barrier function. Increased JunD levels by ectopic overexpression of the junD gene or by depleting cellular polyamines repressed ZO-1 expression and increased epithelial paracellular permeability. JunD regulated ZO-1 expression at the levels of transcription and translation. Transcriptional repression of ZO-1 by JunD was mediated through cAMP response element-binding protein-binding site within its proximal region of the ZO-1-promoter, whereas induced JunD inhibited ZO-1 mRNA translation by enhancing the interaction of the ZO-1 3′-untranslated region with RNA-binding protein T cell-restricted intracellular antigen 1-related protein. These results indicate that JunD is a biological suppressor of ZO-1 expression in intestinal epithelial cells and plays a critical role in maintaining epithelial barrier function.

Polyamines are necessary for synthesis and stability of occludin protein in intestinal epithelial cells

2005 ◽  
Vol 288 (6) ◽  
pp. G1159-G1169 ◽  
Author(s):  
Xin Guo ◽  
Jaladanki N. Rao ◽  
Lan Liu ◽  
Tongtong Zou ◽  
Kaspar M. Keledjian ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Epithelial Cells ◽  
Tight Junction ◽  
Barrier Function ◽  
Intestinal Epithelial Cells ◽  
Integral Membrane Protein ◽  
Epithelial Barrier ◽  
Intestinal Epithelial ◽  
Tight Junction Proteins ◽  
Epithelial Barrier Function ◽  
Junction Proteins

Occludin is an integral membrane protein that forms the sealing element of tight junctions and is critical for epithelial barrier function. Polyamines are implicated in multiple signaling pathways driving different biological functions of intestinal epithelial cells (IEC). The present study determined whether polyamines are involved in expression of occludin and play a role in intestinal epithelial barrier function. Studies were conducted in stable Cdx2-transfected IEC-6 cells (IEC-Cdx2L1) associated with a highly differentiated phenotype. Polyamine depletion by α-difluoromethylornithine (DFMO) decreased levels of occludin protein but failed to affect expression of its mRNA. Other tight junction proteins, zonula occludens (ZO)-1, ZO-2, claudin-2, and claudin-3, were also decreased in polyamine-deficient cells. Decreased levels of tight junction proteins in DFMO-treated cells were associated with dysfunction of the epithelial barrier, which was overcome by exogenous polyamine spermidine. Decreased levels of occludin in polyamine-deficient cells was not due to the reduction of intracellular-free Ca2+ concentration ([Ca2+]cyt), because either increased or decreased [Ca2+]cyt did not alter levels of occludin in the presence or absence of polyamines. The level of newly synthesized occludin protein was decreased by ∼70% following polyamine depletion, whereas its protein half-life was reduced from ∼120 min in control cells to ∼75 min in polyamine-deficient cells. These findings indicate that polyamines are necessary for the synthesis and stability of occludin protein and that polyamine depletion disrupts the epithelial barrier function, at least partially, by decreasing occludin.

scholarly journals Mesenchymal stem cell-derived microvesicles improve intestinal barrier function by restoring mitochondrial dynamic balance in sepsis rats

2021 ◽  
Vol 12 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Danyang Zheng ◽  
Henan Zhou ◽  
Hongchen Wang ◽  
Yu Zhu ◽  
Yue Wu ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Epithelial Cells ◽  
Barrier Function ◽  
Intestinal Epithelial Cells ◽  
Dynamic Balance ◽  
Intestinal Barrier ◽  
Intestinal Barrier Function ◽  
Intestinal Epithelial ◽  
Barrier Dysfunction ◽  
Mitochondrial Dynamic ◽  
Intestinal Barrier Dysfunction

Abstract Background Sepsis is a major cause of death in ICU, and intestinal barrier dysfunction is its important complication, while the treatment is limited. Recently, mesenchymal stem cell-derived microvesicles (MMVs) attract much attention as a strategy of cell-free treatment; whether MMVs are therapeutic in sepsis induced-intestinal barrier dysfunction is obscure. Methods In this study, cecal ligation and puncture-induced sepsis rats and lipopolysaccharide-stimulated intestinal epithelial cells to investigate the effect of MMVs on intestinal barrier dysfunction. MMVs were harvested from mesenchymal stem cells and were injected into sepsis rats, and the intestinal barrier function was measured. Afterward, MMVs were incubated with intestinal epithelial cells, and the effect of MMVs on mitochondrial dynamic balance was measured. Then the expression of mfn1, mfn2, OPA1, and PGC-1α in MMVs were measured by western blot. By upregulation and downregulation of mfn2 and PGC-1α, the role of MMVs in mitochondrial dynamic balance was investigated. Finally, the role of MMV-carried mitochondria in mitochondrial dynamic balance was investigated. Results MMVs restored the intestinal barrier function by improving mitochondrial dynamic balance and metabolism of mitochondria. Further study revealed that MMVs delivered mfn2 and PGC-1α to intestinal epithelial cells, and promoted mitochondrial fusion and biogenesis, thereby improving mitochondrial dynamic balance. Furthermore, MMVs delivered functional mitochondria to intestinal epithelial cells and enhanced energy metabolism directly. Conclusion MMVs can deliver mfn2, PGC-1α, and functional mitochondria to intestinal epithelial cells, synergistically improve mitochondrial dynamic balance of target cells after sepsis, and restore the mitochondrial function and intestinal barrier function. The study illustrated that MMVs might be a promising strategy for the treatment of sepsis.

scholarly journals The 220-kD protein colocalizing with cadherins in non-epithelial cells is identical to ZO-1, a tight junction-associated protein in epithelial cells: cDNA cloning and immunoelectron microscopy.

1993 ◽  
Vol 121 (3) ◽  
pp. 491-502 ◽  
Author(s):  
M Itoh ◽  
A Nagafuchi ◽  
S Yonemura ◽  
T Kitani-Yasuda ◽  
S Tsukita ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Epithelial Cells ◽  
Tight Junction ◽  
Tight Junctions ◽  
Immunoelectron Microscopy ◽  
Intestinal Epithelial Cells ◽  
Microscopic Level ◽  
Junction Zone ◽  
Intestinal Epithelial ◽  
Tight Junction Formation ◽  
Junction Formation

We previously identified a 220-kD constitutive protein of the plasma membrane undercoat which colocalizes at the immunofluorescence microscopic level with cadherins and occurs not only in epithelial M., S. Yonemura, A. Nagafuchi, Sa. Tsukita, and Sh. Tsukita. 1991. J. Cell Biol. 115:1449-1462). To clarify the nature and possible functions of this protein, we cloned its full-length cDNA and sequenced it. Unexpectedly, we found mouse 220-kD protein to be highly homologous to rat protein ZO-1, only a part of which had been already sequenced. This relationship was confirmed by immunoblotting with anti-ZO-1 antibody. As protein ZO-1 was originally identified as a component exclusively underlying tight junctions in epithelial cells, where cadherins are not believed to be localized, we analyzed the distribution of cadherins and the 220-kD protein by ultrathin cryosection immunoelectron microscopy. We found that in non-epithelial cells lacking tight junctions cadherins and the 220-kD protein colocalize, whereas in epithelial cells (e.g., intestinal epithelial cells) bearing well-developed tight junctions cadherins and the 220-kD protein are clearly segregated into adherens and tight junctions, respectively. Interestingly, in epithelial cells such as hepatocytes, which tight junctions are not so well developed, the 220-kD protein is detected not only in the tight junction zone but also at adherens junctions. Furthermore, we show in mouse L cells transfected with cDNAs encoding N-, P-, E-cadherins that cadherins interact directly or indirectly with the 220-kD protein. Possible functions of the 220-kD protein (ZO-1) are discussed with special reference to the molecular mechanism for adherens and tight junction formation.

Interferon-γ decreases barrier function in T84 cells by reducing ZO-1 levels and disrupting apical actin

1999 ◽  
Vol 276 (5) ◽  
pp. G1279-G1288 ◽  
Author(s):  
Adel Youakim ◽  
Minoo Ahdieh
Keyword(s):  
Tight Junction ◽  
Tight Junctions ◽  
Barrier Function ◽  
Time Course ◽  
Interferon Γ ◽  
Intestinal Epithelial ◽  
T84 Cells ◽  
Actin Organization ◽  
Specific Proteins ◽  
Ifn Γ

The effects of interferon-γ (IFN-γ) on tight junctions in T84 human intestinal epithelial cells were investigated. Treatment of T84 cells with IFN-γ caused a dose- and time-dependent increase in monolayer permeability as assessed by transepithelial electrical resistance measurements. Examination of specific proteins associated with tight junctions by immunoblotting and confocal microscopy revealed changes in the expression levels and localization of some of these proteins after exposure of the cells to IFN-γ. Specifically, IFN-γ treatment resulted in an almost total loss of zonula occludens (ZO)-1, whereas the levels of ZO-2 and occludin showed relatively modest decreases compared with untreated cells. Loss of ZO-1 was associated with the altered localization of ZO-2 and occludin. In IFN-γ-treated cells, ZO-2 and occludin were diffusely distributed, whereas, in control cells, they, along with ZO-1, were predominantly localized to the tight junctions. Analysis of ZO-1 protein and RNA by pulse chase and RT-PCR, respectively, showed an increase in protein turnover, a decrease in protein synthesis, and a reduction in RNA levels following IFN-γ treatment. In contrast to ZO-1, ZO-2 and occludin did not show any major changes in these parameters. In addition, the organization of actin in the apical and tight junction regions, but not in the mid- or basal regions, of the cells was also perturbed by IFN-γ treatment of cells. Time-course analysis of IFN-γ-induced alterations in ZO-1 expression and apical actin perturbation indicated that these two effects were intimately linked and could not be dissociated. These results suggest that IFN-γ affects barrier function in T84 cells by decreasing the levels of ZO-1 and perturbing apical actin organization, which leads to a disorganization of the tight junction and an increase in paracellular permeability.

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