Adiponectin deficiency modulates adhesion molecules expression and cytokine production but does not affect disease...

We investigated the effect of adiponectin (APN) deficiency in the CD4(+)CD45RB(high) transfer model of colitis. Recombination activating gene (Rag)-1 knockout (KO) and Rag-1 APN KO mice receiving CD4(+)CD45RB(high) cells developed colitis of comparable severity. Colonic mRNA expression of IL-6 and IL-17 was lower in Rag-1 APN KO mice compared to Rag-1 KO mice. Rag-1 APN KO and Rag-1 KO mice released comparable amounts of IL-6 from colon cultures, whereas release of IL-17 was higher in Rag-1 APN KO compared to Rag-1 KO mice. Expression of TNFalpha mRNA was comparable in Rag-1 KO and Rag-1 APN KO mice, but protein release was lower in Rag-1 APN KO mice compared to Rag-1 KO mice. Levels of IFNgamma and IL-10 at mRNA and protein were comparable in Rag-1 KO and Rag-1 APN KO mice. Higher mRNA expression of VCAM-1 was observed in the colon of healthy APN KO compared to WT mice, while induction of colitis resulted in a comparable increase in VCAM-1 expression in Rag-1 KO and Rag-1 APN KO mice. In conclusion, although APN regulates expression of cytokines and adhesion molecules in the colon, this does not result in alteration of overall colitis severity in the CD4(+)CD45RB(high) transfer model.