Cux1 transcription factor is induced in inflammatory bowel disease and protects against experimental colitis.
BACKGROUND
Cux1 is a ubiquitous transcriptional factor that has been associated with cell proliferation, migration, invasion, and differentiation. Cux1 is an effector of the transforming growth factor beta (TGFβ) pathway, PAR(2) receptor signaling, and cellular migration, mechanisms intimately related to inflammatory bowel diseases (IBD).


METHODS
CD1 mice treated with dextran sulfate sodium (DSS) in drinking water and cultured intestinal epithelial cells were used to determine Cux1 expression under inflammatory conditions. A commercial cDNA library was used to monitor CUX1 expression in IBD patients. The Cux1(ΔHD/ΔHD) hypomorphic mouse model (Cux1ΔHD) treated with DSS in drinking water was used and the disease severity assessed.


RESULTS
Cux1 expression increased in cultured intestinal epithelial cells stimulated with tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNFα), in the mouse intestinal epithelium during experimental colitis and in human IBD patient samples. DSS-induced colitis in Cux1ΔHD mice was more severe according to clinical observations such as weight loss, colon length, and rectal bleeding. Histological observations confirmed an increase of IBD-related morphological changes including ulceration and mucosal infiltration of leukocytes in Cux1ΔHD mice. An increased number of pSer(276)-RelA-positive cells and higher expression levels of proinflammatory cytokines were also measured in the colon of Cux1ΔHD diseased animals. Elevated levels of Cxcl1 were measured before and after DSS-treatment and a greater neutrophilic infiltration was quantified in DSS-treated Cux1ΔHD mice. Finally, mucosal healing was significantly impaired in Cux1ΔHD mice during recovery from DSS treatment.


CONCLUSIONS
CUX1 is increased in response to inflammatory stress and its nuclear expression is crucial to protect against DSS-induced colitis and subsequent mucosal healing.
Darsigny
Mathieu
M
Département d'Anatomie et Biologie Cellulaire, Faculté de Médecine et des Sciences de la Santé, Université de Sherbrooke, Sherbrooke, Québec, Canada.
St-Jean
Stéphanie
S
Boudreau
François
F
D000818:Animals; D003092:Colitis / Q000139:chemically induced / Q000473:pathology / Q000517:prevention & control*; D016264:Dextran Sulfate / Q000633:toxicity; D004195:Disease Models, Animal; D005455:Fluorescent Antibody Technique; D005786:Gene Expression Regulation / Q000502:physiology*; D015723:Gene Library; D018398:Homeodomain Proteins / Q000235:genetics* / Q000378:metabolism; D006801:Humans; D015151:Immunoblotting; D007124:Immunoenzyme Techniques; D007249:Inflammation / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology; D015212:Inflammatory Bowel Diseases / Q000235:genetics* / Q000276:immunology / Q000473:pathology; D007413:Intestinal Mucosa / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000473:pathology; D051379:Mice; D008810:Mice, Inbred C57BL; D018345:Mice, Knockout; D009092:Mucous Membrane / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology; D009687:Nuclear Proteins / Q000235:genetics* / Q000378:metabolism; D012333:RNA, Messenger / Q000235:genetics; D012097:Repressor Proteins / Q000235:genetics* / Q000378:metabolism; D020133:Reverse Transcriptase Polymerase Chain Reaction; D014157:Transcription Factors; D014409:Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha / Q000494:pharmacology
C080632:CUX1 protein, human; C000624101:Cux1 protein, mouse; D018398:Homeodomain Proteins; D009687:Nuclear Proteins; D012333:RNA, Messenger; D012097:Repressor Proteins; D014157:Transcription Factors; D014409:Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha; D016264:Dextran Sulfate