The roles of tumor necrosis factor-alpha in colon tight junction protein expression and intestinal mucosa structure in a mouse model of acute liver failure.
BACKGROUND
Spontaneous bacterial peritonitis (SBP) is a common clinical disease and one of the most severe complications of acute liver failure (ALF). Although the mechanism responsible for SBP is unclear, cytokines play an important role. The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha) on the structure of the intestinal mucosa and the expression of tight junction (Zona Occludens 1; ZO-1) protein in a mouse model of ALF.


METHODS
We induced ALF using D-galactosamine/lipopolysaccharide (GalN/LPS) or GalN/TNF-alpha and assessed the results using transmission electron microscopy, immunohistochemistry, Western blotting, ELISA and real-time quantitative PCR. The effects of administration of anti-TNF-alpha IgG antibody or anti-TNF-alpha R1 antibody before administration of GalN/LPS or GalN/TNF-alpha, respectively, on TNF-alpha were also assessed.


RESULTS
Morphological abnormalities in the intestinal mucosa of ALF mice were positively correlated with serum TNF-alpha level. Electron microscopic analysis revealed tight junction (TJ) disruptions, epithelial cell swelling, and atrophy of intestinal villi. Gut bacteria invaded the body at sites where TJ disruptions occurred. Expression of ZO-1 mRNA was significantly decreased in both ALF models, as was the level of ZO-1 protein. Prophylactic treatment with either anti-TNF-alpha IgG antibody or anti-tumor necrosis factor-a receptor1 (anti-TNF-alpha R1) antibody prevented changes in intestinal tissue ultrastructure and ZO-1 expression.


CONCLUSIONS
TNF-alpha affects the structure of the intestinal mucosa, decreases expression of ZO-1, and affects the morphology of the colon in a mouse model of ALF. It also may participate in the pathophysiological mechanism of SBP complicated to ALF.
Song
Hong-Li
HL
Department of Infectious Diseases, The First Affiliated Hospital, China Medical University, Shenyang 110001, Liaoning Province, PR China. hlsong26@yahoo.com.cn
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Sa
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Liu
Pei
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D000818:Animals; D000888:Antibodies, Anti-Idiotypic / Q000494:pharmacology; D003106:Colon / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000473:pathology*; D004195:Disease Models, Animal; D005688:Galactosamine / Q000009:adverse effects; D007413:Intestinal Mucosa / Q000382:microbiology / Q000473:pathology* / Q000648:ultrastructure; D008070:Lipopolysaccharides / Q000009:adverse effects; D017114:Liver Failure, Acute / Q000139:chemically induced / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000473:pathology*; D008297:Male; D008565:Membrane Proteins / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D051379:Mice; D008807:Mice, Inbred BALB C; D010538:Peritonitis / Q000382:microbiology / Q000473:pathology / Q000503:physiopathology; D010750:Phosphoproteins / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D012333:RNA, Messenger / Q000378:metabolism; D014409:Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha / Q000276:immunology / Q000378:metabolism*; D062826:Zonula Occludens-1 Protein
D000888:Antibodies, Anti-Idiotypic; D008070:Lipopolysaccharides; D008565:Membrane Proteins; D010750:Phosphoproteins; D012333:RNA, Messenger; C569043:Tjp1 protein, mouse; D014409:Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha; D062826:Zonula Occludens-1 Protein; D005688:Galactosamine