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Enhanced intestinal inflammation induced by dextran sulfate sodium in tumor necrosis factor‐alpha deficient mice
Author(s) -
NAITO YUJI,
TAKAGI TOMOHISA,
HANDA OSAMU,
ISHIKAWA TAKESHI,
NAKAGAWA SHUJI,
YAMAGUCHI TAIJI,
YOSHIDA NORIMASA,
MINAMI MASATO,
KITA MASAKAZU,
IMANISHI JIRO,
YOSHIKAWA TOSHIKAZU
Publication year - 2003
Publication title -
journal of gastroenterology and hepatology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.214
H-Index - 130
eISSN - 1440-1746
pISSN - 0815-9319
DOI - 10.1046/j.1440-1746.2003.03034.x
Subject(s) - tumor necrosis factor alpha , medicine , inflammation , colitis , cytokine , alpha (finance) , nitric oxide synthase , inflammatory bowel disease , immunology , necrosis , endocrinology , pathology , nitric oxide , construct validity , nursing , disease , patient satisfaction
Background and Aims: Tumor necrosis factor‐α (TNF‐α) is a potent pro‐inflammatory cytokine thought to be involved in the pathogenesis of inflammatory bowel disease. To further define the role of TNF‐α in intestinal inflammation, we studied the effects of dextran sulfate sodium (DSS) administration in mice with targeted deletions of TNF‐α gene. Methods: Acute colitis was induced in female TNF‐α –/– and TNF‐α +/+ mice by administering 4.5% DSS orally in drinking water for seven days. The colonic mucosal injury and inflammation was evaluated based on body weight changes, total colon length, luminal hemoglobin, and histological findings. Colonic mRNA expression for inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS), TNF‐α, interferon‐γ (IFN‐γ) and interleukin‐4 (IL‐4) were measured by reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT‐PCR), and nuclear factor κB (NF‐κB) activation was evaluated by electrophoretic mobility shift assay. Results: In each assessment, colonic injury was significantly aggravated in DSS‐treated TNF‐α –/– mice compared with DSS‐treated TNF‐α +/+ mice. The survival rate of TNF‐α –/– mice on day seven was 40%; in contrast, all TNF‐α +/+ mice were alive. Histological study also showed an enhanced infiltration of inflammatory cells, especially neutrophils, and mucosal cell disruption in DSS‐treated TNF‐α –/– mice compared with DSS‐treated TNF‐α +/+ mice. On day seven, mRNA levels of IFN‐γ and IL‐4 in the colons of TNF‐α –/– mice were faint or not detected; in contrast, those of TNF‐α +/+ mice were detected. Although the expression of iNOS mRNA and luminal nitrite levels were similarly increased in both mice on day seven, this induction was delayed in TNF‐α –/– mice during the early phase. The degree of NF‐κB binding activity seemed to be similar between the two types of mice on day seven. Conclusion: DSS‐induced inflammation is significantly enhanced in TNF‐α –/– mice compared to TNF‐α +/+ mice. These data suggest that persistent and marked blockage of TNF‐α bioactivity may provide a detrimental effect on acute intestinal inflammation. © 2003 Blackwell Publishing Asia Pty Ltd