It is well accepted that neuropeptides are important components of the intestinal inflammatory response. Results generated during the past funding period demonstrated for the first time that the 41 aa peptide corticotropin-releasing hormone (CRH), released locally in the gut, is a potent promflammatory mediator of acute intestinal inflammation of different etiologies. We also made the novel observation that human colonocytes bear receptors for CRH, and these receptors are upregulated during intestinal inflammation in vivo and in vitro after exposure to C. difficile toxin A or proinflamrmtory cytokines. Our overall hypothesis is that peripheral CRH and the CRN-related peptides urocortins augment acute colonic inflammation by binding to specific CRH receptors on enterocytes and macrophages. CRH and urocortin-ddpendent activation of proinflammatory transcription factors and MAP-kinase - related pathways lead to the release of proinflammatory cytokines thereby initiating of augmenting intestinal inflammation.
In aim 1 we will elucidate the participation of the NF-kappaB/kappaB system and MAP kinases in CRH receptor-mediated proinflammatory signalling in human colonic epithelial cells and macrophages. In collaboration with Dr. Ciaran Kelly we will also examine the effect of probiotics in toxin A and proinflammatory cytokines - induced increased CRH receptor expression in vitro and in vivo. Studies in aim 2 will determine the role of the CRH family of peptides (urocortin I, II, and III) in acute intestinal inflammation in mouse ileal loops in wild type and CRH receptor deficient mice and, in collaboration with Dr. Allan Walker (xenograft core), in human intestinal xenografts. In collaboration with Dr. Beth McCormick we will also assess the effect of other common GI bacteria and bacterial products (Salmonella, Shigella, LPS) on the CRH peptide family and CRH receptor expression in human colonocytes in vivo and in vitro.
Aim 3 will examine the mechanism(s) of CRH receptor regulation in intestinal epithelial cells and macrophages by proinflammatory cytokines and C. difficile toxin A. We will also study whether CRH and CRH-related peptides themselves regulate CRH receptor expression in vitro (macrophages and colonocytes) and in vivo in CRH +/+ and CRH -/- mice. Results from the proposed studies will help us dissect the mechamsm(s) by which CRH family of peptides and their receptors participate in intestinal inflammation.

Agency
National Institute of Health (NIH)
Institute
National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases (NIDDK)
Type
Research Program Projects (P01)
Project #
5P01DK033506-24
Application #
7687282
Study Section
Special Emphasis Panel (ZDK1)
Project Start
Project End
Budget Start
2008-09-01
Budget End
2009-08-31
Support Year
24
Fiscal Year
2008
Total Cost
$427,615
Indirect Cost
Name
Massachusetts General Hospital
Department
Type
DUNS #
073130411
City
Boston
State
MA
Country
United States
Zip Code
02199
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Henström, Maria; Diekmann, Lena; Bonfiglio, Ferdinando et al. (2018) Functional variants in the sucrase-isomaltase gene associate with increased risk of irritable bowel syndrome. Gut 67:263-270
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Walker, W Allan (2017) The importance of appropriate initial bacterial colonization of the intestine in newborn, child, and adult health. Pediatr Res 82:387-395
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Gregory, Katherine E; Samuel, Buck S; Houghteling, Pearl et al. (2016) Influence of maternal breast milk ingestion on acquisition of the intestinal microbiome in preterm infants. Microbiome 4:68
Mercado-Lubo, Regino; Zhang, Yuanwei; Zhao, Liang et al. (2016) A Salmonella nanoparticle mimic overcomes multidrug resistance in tumours. Nat Commun 7:12225
Saslowsky, David E; Thiagarajah, Jay R; McCormick, Beth A et al. (2016) Microbial sphingomyelinase induces RhoA-mediated reorganization of the apical brush border membrane and is protective against invasion. Mol Biol Cell 27:1120-30
Rautava, Samuli; Walker, W Allan; Lu, Lei (2016) Hydrocortisone-induced anti-inflammatory effects in immature human enterocytes depend on the timing of exposure. Am J Physiol Gastrointest Liver Physiol 310:G920-9

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