P097 Intestinal barrier dysfunction in association with fibrosis during experimental acute and chronic colitis in mice
T. Breugelmans*1, J. De Man1, B. De Winter1, A. Smet1
1University of Antwerp, Laboratory of Experimental Medicine and Pediatrics, Antwerp, Belgium
Background
Intestinal barrier dysfunction is a significant contributor to the pathophysiology of Inflammatory bowel diseases (IBD). Furthermore, chronic inflammation and barrier dysfunction may result in the mucosal and submucosal deposition of the extracellular matrix, which progressively leads to structural fibrosis, a major complication in IBD. Here, we aimed at investigating intestinal inflammation, barrier function and the development of fibrosis using the dextran sodium sulphate (DSS) colitis mouse model.
Methods
Seven-week old C57BL6/J mice were treated with 3 subsequent cycles of 2% DSS in their drinking water for 7 days followed by a recovery phase of 7 days with normal drinking water to induce acute (cycle 1) and chronic colitis (cycle 2 and 3). Control animals received only drinking water. Disease activity was daily monitored. At the end of each DSS treatment (Day 7, 21 and 35), mice were used for compliance measurements to investigate the viscoelastic properties of the colon. Thereafter, at euthanasia, colonic tissue was collected to investigate inflammation (H&E), fibrosis (Masson’s trichrome), MPO activity and expression of tight junctions (Cldn1, Cldn2, Ocln, Cdh1, Zo-1, Zo-3), cell polarity proteins (Par3-Par6-aPKC, Crb3) and cytokines (Tnf-α, Il-1β, Il-6, Il-10, Il-22). Intestinal permeability was determined via oral gavage (4 h before euthanasia) of 4 kDa FITC-dextran, followed by measuring the fluorescence in the blood.
Results
Acute colitis in mice was correlated with marked intestinal inflammation (Figure 1A-C), increased expression of several pro-inflammatory cytokines (Tnf-α, Il-1β and Il-22; Figure 1D-E), increased intestinal permeability (Figure 1F), aberrant expression of Cldn1, Cldn2, Zo-3 and Par3 (Figure 1G-M) and a remarkable decrease in colonic compliance at lower balloon distension volumes (<80 µl,
Conclusion
Colitis progression investigated in the DSS mouse model was associated with intestinal inflammation and barrier dysfunction in the acute phase and the additional development of fibrosis in the chronic phase. The underlying mechanisms involved in barrier dysfunction and existence of fibrosis, require further investigation.
- Posted in: Poster presentations: Basic science (2019)