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Published on: June 5, 2012
Schistosoma mansoni proteins attenuate gastrointestinal motility disturbances during experimental colitis in mice
Nathalie E Ruyssers1, Benedicte Y De Winter, Joris G De Man
1Laboratory of Experimental Medicine and Pediatrics, Division of Gastroenterology, University of Antwerp, 2610 Antwerp, Belgium.
Aim:
To investigate the therapeutic effect of Schistosoma mansoni (S. mansoni) soluble worm proteins on gastrointestinal motility disturbances during experimental colitis in mice.
Methods:
Colitis was induced by intrarectal injection of trinitrobenzene sulphate (TNBS) and 6 h later, mice were treated ip with S. mansoni proteins. Experiments were performed 5 d after TNBS injection. Inflammation was quantified using validated inflammation parameters. Gastric emptying and geometric center were measured to assess in vivo gastrointestinal motility. Peristaltic activity of distal colonic segments was studied in vitro using a modified Trendelenburg set-up. Cytokine profiles of T-lymphocytes isolated from the colon were determined by real time reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction.
Results:
Intracolonic injection of TNBS caused severe colitis. Treatment with S. mansoni proteins significantly ameliorated colonic inflammation after 5 d. TNBS did not affect gastric emptying but significantly decreased the geometric center and impaired colonic peristaltic activity 5 d after the induction of colitis. Treatment with S. mansoni proteins ameliorated these in vivo and in vitro motility disturbances. In addition, TNBS injection caused a downregulation of effector T cell cytokines after 5 d, whereas a S. mansoni protein effect was no longer observed at this time point.
Conclusion:
Treatment with S. mansoni proteins attenuated intestinal inflammation and ameliorated motility disturbances during murine experimental colitis.
Insights
Schistosoma mansoni proteins treated experimental colitis in mice, reducing inflammation and improving gastrointestinal motility. This suggests a therapeutic potential for helminth-derived molecules in inflammatory bowel conditions.
Area of Science:
- Immunology
- Gastroenterology
- Parasitology
Background:
- Experimental colitis models are crucial for understanding inflammatory bowel diseases.
- Gastrointestinal motility disturbances are common complications of colitis.
- Schistosoma mansoni (S. mansoni) soluble worm proteins have immunomodulatory properties.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the therapeutic effect of S. mansoni soluble worm proteins on gastrointestinal motility disturbances in a murine model of experimental colitis.
Main Methods:
- Colitis was induced using trinitrobenzene sulphate (TNBS) in mice.
- Mice were treated with S. mansoni proteins after TNBS administration.
- Gastrointestinal motility was assessed via gastric emptying, geometric center, and in vitro colonic peristalsis.
- T-lymphocyte cytokine profiles were analyzed using RT-PCR.
Main Results:
- S. mansoni proteins significantly ameliorated TNBS-induced colonic inflammation.
- Treatment with S. mansoni proteins improved both in vivo and in vitro gastrointestinal motility disturbances.
- TNBS induced a downregulation of effector T cell cytokines, which was not observed with S. mansoni protein treatment at the 5-day time point.
Conclusions:
- S. mansoni soluble worm proteins demonstrate therapeutic potential in attenuating intestinal inflammation.
- These proteins effectively ameliorated gastrointestinal motility disturbances associated with experimental colitis.
