scholarly journals theLiTE™: A Screening Platform to Identify Compounds that Reinforce Tight Junctions

2022 ◽  
Vol 12 ◽  
Author(s):  
Teresa Lopes Gomes ◽  
Virgínia de Oliveira-Marques ◽  
Richard John Hampson ◽  
António Jacinto ◽  
Luciana Vieira de Moraes ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Tight Junctions ◽  
Food Supplement ◽  
Epithelial Barrier ◽  
Barrier Dysfunction ◽  
Epithelial Barrier Function ◽  
Selective Permeability ◽  
Egg Chambers ◽  
Screening Platform ◽  
And Control ◽  
Further Development

Tight junctions (TJ) are formed by transmembrane and intracellular proteins that seal the intercellular space and control selective permeability of epithelia. Integrity of the epithelial barrier is central to tissue homeostasis and barrier dysfunction has been linked to many pathological conditions. TJ support the maintenance of cell polarity through interactions with the Par complex (Cdc42-Par-6-Par-3-aPKC) in which Par-6 is an adaptor and links the proteins of the complex together. Studies have shown that Par-6 overexpression delays the assembly of TJ proteins suggesting that Par-6 negatively regulates TJ assembly. Because restoring barrier integrity is of key therapeutic and prophylactic value, we focus on finding compounds that have epithelial barrier reinforcement properties; we developed a screening platform (theLiTE™) to identify compounds that modulate Par-6 expression in follicular epithelial cells from Par-6-GFP Drosophila melanogaster egg chambers. Hits identified were then tested whether they improve epithelial barrier function, using measurements of transepithelial electrical resistance (TEER) or dye efflux to evaluate paracellular permeability. We tested 2,400 compounds, found in total 10 hits. Here we present data on six of them: the first four hits allowed us to sequentially build confidence in theLiTE™ and two compounds that were shortlisted for further development (myricetin and quercetin). We selected quercetin due to its clinical and scientific validation as a compound that regulates TJ; food supplement formulated on the basis of this discovery is currently undergoing clinical evaluation in gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) sufferers.

scholarly journals PGC-1α mediates a metabolic host defense response in human airway epithelium during rhinovirus infections

2021 ◽  
Vol 12 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Aubrey N. Michi ◽  
Bryan G. Yipp ◽  
Antoine Dufour ◽  
Fernando Lopes ◽  
David Proud
Keyword(s):  
Host Defense ◽  
Barrier Function ◽  
Bacterial Infections ◽  
Molecular Mechanisms ◽  
Cellular Damage ◽  
Epithelial Barrier ◽  
Airway Epithelial ◽  
Barrier Dysfunction ◽  
Epithelial Barrier Function ◽  
Epithelial Damage

AbstractHuman rhinoviruses (HRV) are common cold viruses associated with exacerbations of lower airways diseases. Although viral induced epithelial damage mediates inflammation, the molecular mechanisms responsible for airway epithelial damage and dysfunction remain undefined. Using experimental HRV infection studies in highly differentiated human bronchial epithelial cells grown at air-liquid interface (ALI), we examine the links between viral host defense, cellular metabolism, and epithelial barrier function. We observe that early HRV-C15 infection induces a transitory barrier-protective metabolic state characterized by glycolysis that ultimately becomes exhausted as the infection progresses and leads to cellular damage. Pharmacological promotion of glycolysis induces ROS-dependent upregulation of the mitochondrial metabolic regulator, peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor-γ coactivator 1α (PGC-1α), thereby restoring epithelial barrier function, improving viral defense, and attenuating disease pathology. Therefore, PGC-1α regulates a metabolic pathway essential to host defense that can be therapeutically targeted to rescue airway epithelial barrier dysfunction and potentially prevent severe respiratory complications or secondary bacterial infections.

scholarly journals Ras Mutation Impairs Epithelial Barrier Function to a Wide Range of Nonelectrolytes

2005 ◽  
Vol 16 (12) ◽  
pp. 5538-5550 ◽  
Author(s):  
James M. Mullin ◽  
James M. Leatherman ◽  
Mary Carmen Valenzano ◽  
Erika Rendon Huerta ◽  
Jon Verrechio ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Tight Junctions ◽  
Mitogen Activated Protein Kinase ◽  
Epithelial Barrier ◽  
Epithelial Barrier Function ◽  
Downstream Effects ◽  
Extracellular Signal ◽  
Wide Range ◽  
Mitogen Activated Protein ◽  
Protein Kinase Signaling ◽  
Kinase Signaling Pathway

Although ras mutations have been shown to affect epithelial architecture and polarity, their role in altering tight junctions remains unclear. Transfection of a valine-12 mutated ras construct into LLC-PK1 renal epithelia produces leakiness of tight junctions to certain types of solutes. Transepithelial permeability of d-mannitol increases sixfold but transepithelial electrical resistance increases >40%. This indicates decreased paracellular permeability to NaCl but increased permeability to nonelectrolytes. Permeability increases to d-mannitol (Mr 182), polyethylene glycol (Mr 4000), and 10,000-Mr methylated dextran but not to 2,000,000-Mr methylated dextran. This implies a “ceiling” on the size of solutes that can cross a ras-mutated epithelial barrier and therefore that the increased permeability is not due to loss of cells or junctions. Although the abundance of claudin-2 declined to undetectable levels in the ras-overexpressing cells compared with vector controls, levels of occludin and claudins 1, 4, and 7 increased. The abundance of claudins-3 and -5 remained unchanged. An increase in extracellular signal-regulated kinase-2 phosphorylation suggests that the downstream effects on the tight junction may be due to changes in the mitogen-activated protein kinase signaling pathway. These selective changes in permeability may influence tumorigenesis by the types of solutes now able to cross the epithelial barrier.

scholarly journals Chymase-mediated intestinal epithelial permeability is regulated by a protease-activating receptor/matrix metalloproteinase-2-dependent mechanism

2013 ◽  
Vol 304 (5) ◽  
pp. G479-G489 ◽  
Author(s):  
Katherine R. Groschwitz ◽  
David Wu ◽  
Heather Osterfeld ◽  
Richard Ahrens ◽  
Simon P. Hogan
Keyword(s):  
Mast Cell ◽  
Mast Cells ◽  
Barrier Function ◽  
Epithelial Barrier ◽  
Intestinal Epithelial ◽  
Barrier Dysfunction ◽  
Intestinal Epithelial Barrier ◽  
Epithelial Barrier Function ◽  
Epithelial Barrier Dysfunction

Mast cells regulate intestinal barrier function during disease and homeostasis. Secretion of the mast cell-specific serine protease chymase regulates homeostasis. In the present study, we employ in vitro model systems to delineate the molecular pathways involved in chymase-mediated intestinal epithelial barrier dysfunction. Chymase stimulation of intestinal epithelial (Caco-2 BBe) cell monolayers induced a significant reduction in transepithelial resistance, indicating decreased intestinal epithelial barrier function. The chymase-induced intestinal epithelial barrier dysfunction was characterized by chymase-induced protease-activated receptor (PAR)-2 activation and matrix metalloproteinase (MMP)-2 expression and activation. Consistent with this observation, in vitro analysis revealed chymase-induced PAR-2 activation and increased MAPK activity and MMP-2 expression. Pharmacological and small interfering RNA-mediated antagonism of PAR-2 and MMP-2 significantly attenuated chymase-stimulated barrier dysfunction. Additionally, the chymase/MMP-2-mediated intestinal epithelial dysfunction was associated with a significant reduction in the tight junction protein claudin-5, which was partially restored by MMP-2 inhibition. Finally, incubation of Caco-2 BBe cells with chymase-sufficient, but not chymase-deficient, bone marrow-derived mast cells decreased barrier function, which was attenuated by the chymase inhibitor chymostatin. Collectively, these results suggest that mast cell/chymase-mediated intestinal epithelial barrier function is mediated by PAR-2/MMP-2-dependent pathways.

Murine filaggrin-2 is involved in epithelial barrier function and down-regulated in metabolically induced skin barrier dysfunction

2012 ◽  
Vol 21 (4) ◽  
pp. 271-276 ◽  
Author(s):  
Britta Hansmann ◽  
Kerstin Ahrens ◽  
Zhihong Wu ◽  
Ehrhardt Proksch ◽  
Ulf Meyer-Hoffert ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Barrier Function ◽  
Skin Barrier ◽  
Epithelial Barrier ◽  
Barrier Dysfunction ◽  
Epithelial Barrier Function

scholarly journals The role of secreted Hsp90α in HDM-induced asthmatic airway epithelial barrier dysfunction

2019 ◽  
Vol 19 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Cuiping Ye ◽  
Chaowen Huang ◽  
Mengchen Zou ◽  
Yahui Hu ◽  
Lishan Luo ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Barrier Function ◽  
Epithelial Barrier ◽  
Airway Epithelial ◽  
Barrier Dysfunction ◽  
Epithelial Barrier Function ◽  
Asthmatic Airway ◽  
Epithelial Barrier Dysfunction

Abstract Background The dysfunction of airway epithelial barrier is closely related to the pathogenesis of asthma. Secreted Hsp90α participates in inflammation and Hsp90 inhibitor protects endothelial dysfunction. In the current study, we aimed to explore the role of secreted Hsp90α in asthmatic airway epithelial barrier function. Methods Male BALB/c mice were sensitized and challenged with HDM to generate asthma model. The 16HBE and Hsp90α-knockdown cells were cultured and treated according to the experiment requirements. Transepithelial Electric Resistance (TEER) and permeability of epithelial layer in vitro, distribution and expression of junction proteins both in vivo and in vitro were used to evaluate the epithelial barrier function. Western Blot was used to evaluate the expression of junction proteins and phosphorylated AKT in cells and lung tissues while ELISA were used to evaluate the Hsp90α expression and cytokines release in the lung homogenate. Results HDM resulted in a dysfunction of airway epithelial barrier both in vivo and in vitro, paralleled with the increased expression and release of Hsp90α. All of which were rescued in Hsp90α-knockdown cells or co-administration of 1G6-D7. Furthermore, either 1G6-D7 or PI3K inhibitor LY294002 suppressed the significant phosphorylation of AKT, which caused by secreted and recombinant Hsp90α, resulting in the restoration of epithelial barrier function. Conclusions Secreted Hsp90α medicates HDM-induced asthmatic airway epithelial barrier dysfunction via PI3K/AKT pathway, indicating that anti-secreted Hsp90α therapy might be a potential treatment to asthma in future.

scholarly journals Hypoxia-inducible factor hydroxylase inhibition enhances the protective effects of cyclosporine in colitis

2019 ◽  
Vol 317 (2) ◽  
pp. G90-G97 ◽  
Author(s):  
Doug N. Halligan ◽  
Mohammed N. Khan ◽  
Eric Brown ◽  
Catherine R. Rowan ◽  
Ivan S. Coulter ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Inflammatory Bowel Disease ◽  
Immune System ◽  
Protective Effect ◽  
Barrier Function ◽  
Epithelial Barrier ◽  
Protective Effects ◽  
Barrier Dysfunction ◽  
Epithelial Barrier Function ◽  
Inflammatory Bowel ◽  
Anti Inflammatory

Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) is characterized by epithelial barrier dysfunction with resultant inflammation as the mucosal immune system becomes exposed to luminal antigens. The hydroxylase inhibitor dimethyloxalylglycine (DMOG) reduces symptoms in experimental colitis through the upregulation of genes promoting barrier function and inhibition of epithelial cell apoptosis. The immunosuppressive drug cyclosporine reduces inflammation associated with IBD via suppression of immune cell activation. Given the distinct barrier protective effect of DMOG and the anti-inflammatory properties of cyclosporine, we hypothesized that combining these drugs may provide an enhanced protective effect by targeting both barrier dysfunction and inflammation simultaneously. We used the dextran sulfate sodium model of colitis in C57BL/6 mice to determine the combinatorial efficacy of cyclosporine and DMOG. While cyclosporine and DMOG ameliorated disease progression, in combination they had an additive protective effect that surpassed the level of protection afforded by either drug alone. The ability of DMOG to augment the anti-inflammatory effects of cyclosporine was largely due to preservation of barrier function and at least in part due to zonula occludens-1 regulation. We propose that combining the barrier protective effects of a hydroxylase inhibitor with the anti-inflammatory effects of cyclosporine provides added therapeutic benefit in colitis. NEW & NOTEWORTHY Inflammatory bowel disease is the result of decreased intestinal epithelial barrier function leading to exposure of the mucosal immune system to luminal antigens causing inflammation, which in turn further decreases epithelial barrier function. We demonstrate for the first time that strengthening the epithelial barrier with a hydroxylase inhibitor in combination with the administration of the immunosuppressive cyclosporine provides additive therapeutic advantage in a murine model of colitis

scholarly journals CUGBP1 and HuR regulate E-cadherin translation by altering recruitment of E-cadherin mRNA to processing bodies and modulate epithelial barrier function

2016 ◽  
Vol 310 (1) ◽  
pp. C54-C65 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ting-Xi Yu ◽  
Bei-Lin Gu ◽  
Jun-Kai Yan ◽  
Jie Zhu ◽  
Wei-Hui Yan ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Rna Binding ◽  
Rna Binding Proteins ◽  
Intestinal Barrier ◽  
Primary Component ◽  
Epithelial Barrier ◽  
Barrier Dysfunction ◽  
Processing Bodies ◽  
Epithelial Barrier Function ◽  
Epithelial Barrier Dysfunction ◽  
E Cadherin

The effectiveness and stability of epithelial barrier depend on apical junctional complexes, which consist of tight junctions (TJs) and adherens junctions (AJs). E-cadherin is the primary component of AJs, and it is essential for maintenance of cell-to-cell interactions and regulates the epithelial barrier. However, the exact mechanism underlying E-cadherin expression, particularly at the posttranscriptional level, remains largely unknown. RNA-binding proteins CUG-binding protein 1 (CUGBP1) and HU antigen R (HuR) are highly expressed in the intestinal epithelial tissues and modulate the stability and translation of target mRNAs. Here, we present evidence that CUGBP1 and HuR interact directly with the 3′-untranslated region of E-cadherin mRNA and regulate E-cadherin translation. CUGBP1 overexpression in Caco-2 cells inhibited E-cadherin translation by increasing the recruitment of E-cadherin mRNA to processing bodies (PBs), thus resulting in an increase in paracellular permeability. Overexpression of HuR exhibited an opposite effect on E-cadherin expression by preventing the translocation of E-cadherin mRNA to PBs and therefore prevented CUGBP1-induced repression of E-cadherin expression. Elevation of HuR also abolished the CUGBP1-induced epithelial barrier dysfunction. These findings indicate that CUGBP1 and HuR negate each other's effects in regulating E-cadherin translation by altering the recruitment of E-cadherin mRNA to PBs and play an important role in the regulation of intestinal barrier integrity under various pathophysiological conditions.

Polyamines are required for expression of Toll-like receptor 2 modulating intestinal epithelial barrier integrity

2007 ◽  
Vol 293 (3) ◽  
pp. G568-G576 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jie Chen ◽  
Jaladanki N. Rao ◽  
Tongtong Zou ◽  
Lan Liu ◽  
Bernard S. Marasa ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Barrier Function ◽  
Low Dose ◽  
Epithelial Barrier ◽  
Intestinal Epithelial ◽  
Barrier Dysfunction ◽  
Intestinal Epithelial Barrier ◽  
Tlr2 Expression ◽  
Epithelial Barrier Function ◽  
Cell Functions ◽  
Epithelial Barrier Dysfunction

The Toll-like receptors (TLRs) allow mammalian intestinal epithelium to detect various microbes and activate innate immunity after infection. TLR2 and TLR4 have been identified in intestinal epithelial cells (IECs) as fundamental components of the innate immune response to bacterial pathogens, but the exact mechanism involved in control of TLR expression remains unclear. Polyamines are implicated in a wide variety of biological functions, and regulation of cellular polyamines is a central convergence point for the multiple signaling pathways driving different epithelial cell functions. The current study determined whether polyamines regulate TLR expression, thereby modulating intestinal epithelial barrier function. Depletion of cellular polyamines by inhibiting ornithine decarboxylase (ODC) with α-difluoromethylornithine decreased levels of TLR2 mRNA and protein, whereas increased polyamines by ectopic overexpression of the ODC gene enhanced TLR2 expression. Neither intervention changed basal levels of TLR4. Exposure of normal IECs to low-dose (5 μg/ml) LPS increased ODC enzyme activity and stimulated expression of TLR2 but not TLR4, while polyamine depletion prevented this LPS-induced TLR2 expression. Decreased TLR2 in polyamine-deficient cells was associated with epithelial barrier dysfunction. In contrast, increased TLR2 by the low dose of LPS enhanced epithelial barrier function, which was abolished by inhibition of TLR2 expression with specific, small interfering RNA. These results indicate that polyamines are necessary for TLR2 expression and that polyamine-induced TLR2 activation plays an important role in regulating epithelial barrier function.

scholarly journals Inactivation of the Wnt/β-catenin signaling contributes to the epithelial barrier dysfunction induced by sodium oxalate in canine renal epithelial cells

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Yun Ji ◽  
Shuting Fang ◽  
Ying Yang ◽  
Zhenlong Wu
Keyword(s):  
Epithelial Cells ◽  
Barrier Function ◽  
Mdck Cells ◽  
Renal Stones ◽  
Sodium Oxalate ◽  
Epithelial Barrier ◽  
Barrier Dysfunction ◽  
Epithelial Barrier Function ◽  
Epithelial Barrier Dysfunction

Abstract Background Nephrolithiasis (also known as renal stones) is a common disease condition in companion animals, including dogs and cats. Dysfunction of renal tubular epithelial cells involves in the pathogenesis of renal stones. However, a functional role of Wnt/β-catenin signaling and its contribution to nephrolithiasis remains unknown. Results In the present study, we found that Mardin-Darby canine kidney (MDCK) cells treated with sodium oxalate resulted in reduced cell proliferation and migration, which was associated with the G0/G1 phase arrest of cell cycle progression. In addition, sodium oxalate exposure led to decreased transepithelial electrical resistance (TEER) and increased paracellular permeability. The deleterious effect of sodium oxalate on epithelial barrier function was related to decreased protein abundances of claudin-1, occludin, zonula occludens (ZO)-1, ZO-2 and ZO-3. Of note, protein levels of p-β-catenin (Ser552) in MDCK cells were repressed by sodium oxalate, indicating an inhibitory effect on the Wnt/β-catenin signaling. Intriguingly, SB216763, a GSK-3β inhibitor, enhanced the expression p-β-catenin (Ser552), and protected against epithelial barrier dysfunction in sodium oxalate-treated MDCK cells. Conclusion Taken together, our results revealed a critical role of Wnt/β-catenin signaling on the epithelial barrier function of MDCK cells. Activation of Wnt/β-catenin signaling might be an potentially therapeutic target for the treatment of renal stones in animals.

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