Women are predominantly affected by irritable bowel syndrome (IBS). The reason for this prevalence is not yet established. Evidence supports the presence of sex-dependent immune activation in the colon that plays role in alterations of visceral sensitivity and epithelial functions. In women with IBS, a higher number of activated mast cells are present than in men with IBS. Despite these, the possibility of sex differences in the alterations of colonic mucosal neuroimmune functions in relation with abdominal pain and constipation symptoms in IBS patients has not been investigated. Based on preliminary data in rats exposed to repeated stress showing sex-specific alterations of visceral pain and epithelial functions, the overall goal of this proposal is to establish the influence of sex hormones on stress-induced alterations of sensory and epithelial functions and determine the mechanisms by which sex hormones both under basal and stress conditions modulate colonic epithelial physiology and subsequently visceral pain responses. The proposed studies intend to provide a better understanding of sex differences in the expression of visceral pain in relationship with alterations of the gastrointestinal epithelial function. The findings should have significant implications for translational research and the development of sex- specific treatments, thereby improving health care for IBS patients. The candidate has a long-standing interest in sex-related biological differences and her current research has focused on altered peripheral pathways in the modulation of visceral pain in rodent models of IBS. The candidate's long term goals include becoming established in the field of epithelial physiology research. The career development plan will focus on developing a broad-based and in depth understanding of sex biology and epithelial physiology as they relate to visceral pain and constipation through didactic and mentored training. The candidate will be mentored by Dr. Paul Micevych, Professor in the Department of Neurobiology at UCLA and expert in the sex steroids field, in particular in the cellular and molecular events underlying estrogen's profound effects on pain. In addition, the candidate has co- mentors at UCLA and UCSD faculty members with expertise in sex chromosome and hormone differences and pain (Dr. Art Arnold), intestinal epithelial physiology (Dr. Kim Barrett), IBS neuroendocrine and peripheral clinical studies (Dr. Lin Chang) and stress and neurogastroenterology (Dr. Yvette Tachi). The central hypothesis of this proposal is that the higher susceptibility of females to visceral pain and constipation is related to sex-specific alterations of the immune (mast cells) and epithelial (ion channels and secretion, tight junctions and permeability) systems related to sex hormones. The hypothesis will be tested in the following specific aims.
In Aim 1, we will dissect the role of gonadal hormones and sex chromosome complements in the sex difference in stress-induced visceral hyperalgesia and examine the influence of gonadal hormones on the recruitment and activity of colonic mucosal mast cells.
In Aim 2, we will dissect the influence of sex chromosome and gonadal hormones on the sex- specific stress-induced alterations colonic epithelial permeability/secretion in female rats by assessing the modulatory effect of ovarian hormones on epithelial cells via tight junctions proteins modulation/permeability and on ion channels/secretion and on mast cells release of chymase and subsequent increase in angiotensin II leading to a reduction in ion secretion. Together, the proposed studies will enhance knowledge on interactions existing between sex and neuroimmune mucosal functions influencing pain sensitivity and secretion in IBS and enable the candidate to propose new testable hypotheses regarding mechanisms of IBS pain and constipation, in particular regarding differential treatment approaches based on pathophysiology and sex differences

Public Health Relevance

The long term goal of this proposal is to improve treatment strategies for patients with irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), by providing a better understanding of sex differences and the influence of sex hormones in neuroimmune epithelial dysfunctions and associated alterations of visceral pain and secretion contributing to IBS pathophysiology.

Agency
National Institute of Health (NIH)
Institute
National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases (NIDDK)
Type
Research Scientist Development Award - Research & Training (K01)
Project #
1K01DK088937-01A1
Application #
8190092
Study Section
Diabetes, Endocrinology and Metabolic Diseases B Subcommittee (DDK)
Program Officer
Podskalny, Judith M,
Project Start
2011-09-15
Project End
2016-06-30
Budget Start
2011-09-15
Budget End
2012-06-30
Support Year
1
Fiscal Year
2011
Total Cost
$129,416
Indirect Cost
Name
University of California Los Angeles
Department
Internal Medicine/Medicine
Type
Schools of Medicine
DUNS #
092530369
City
Los Angeles
State
CA
Country
United States
Zip Code
90095
Larauche, Muriel; Moussaoui, Nabila; Biraud, Mandy et al. (2018) Brain corticotropin-releasing factor signaling: Involvement in acute stress-induced visceral analgesia in male rats. Neurogastroenterol Motil :e13489
Tache, Yvette; Larauche, Muriel; Yuan, Pu-Qing et al. (2018) Brain and Gut CRF Signaling: Biological Actions and Role in the Gastrointestinal Tract. Curr Mol Pharmacol 11:51-71
Walker, Claire-Dominique; Bath, Kevin G; Joels, Marian et al. (2017) Chronic early life stress induced by limited bedding and nesting (LBN) material in rodents: critical considerations of methodology, outcomes and translational potential. Stress 20:421-448
Li, Rongsong; Yang, Jieping; Saffari, Arian et al. (2017) Ambient Ultrafine Particle Ingestion Alters Gut Microbiota in Association with Increased Atherogenic Lipid Metabolites. Sci Rep 7:42906
Rolland-Fourcade, Claire; Denadai-Souza, Alexandre; Cirillo, Carla et al. (2017) Epithelial expression and function of trypsin-3 in irritable bowel syndrome. Gut 66:1767-1778
Moussaoui, Nabila; Jacobs, Jonathan P; Larauche, Muriel et al. (2017) Chronic Early-life Stress in Rat Pups Alters Basal Corticosterone, Intestinal Permeability, and Fecal Microbiota at Weaning: Influence of Sex. J Neurogastroenterol Motil 23:135-143
Duboc, Henri; Tolstanova, Ganna; Yuan, Pu-Qing et al. (2016) Reduction of epithelial secretion in male rat distal colonic mucosa by bile acid receptor TGR5 agonist, INT-777: role of submucosal neurons. Neurogastroenterol Motil 28:1663-1676
Moussaoui, Nabila; Larauche, Muriel; Biraud, Mandy et al. (2016) Limited Nesting Stress Alters Maternal Behavior and In Vivo Intestinal Permeability in Male Wistar Pup Rats. PLoS One 11:e0155037
Million, M; Larauche, M (2016) Stress, sex, and the enteric nervous system. Neurogastroenterol Motil 28:1283-9
Vu, John P; Larauche, Muriel; Flores, Martin et al. (2015) Regulation of Appetite, Body Composition, and Metabolic Hormones by Vasoactive Intestinal Polypeptide (VIP). J Mol Neurosci 56:377-87

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