FGF19 protects colonic epithelial cells against hydrogen peroxide

The apoptosis induced by hydrogen peroxide (H₂O₂) in colonic epithelial cells is very important for the pathogenesis of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). Fibroblast growth factor (FGF) 15, the human ortholog of FGF19, is reported to be secreted from colonic myofibroblasts and enhances colonic epithelial restitution, but little is known about the function of FGF19 to colonic epithelial cells. In the present study, we investigate the anti-apoptosis effect of FGF19 in colonic epithelial cells treated with H₂O₂.

Young adult mouse colonic epithelial (YAMC) cells are used to investigate the protective role of FGF19. Cellular viability was determined by WST-8 assay, and apoptosis was measured by Hoechst staining and Western blotting of cleaved caspase-3. YAMC cells were pretreated by FGF19 and H₂O₂ was used for cellular damage.

We demonstrated that pretreatment of FGF19 (50 ng/ml) significantly protects YAMC cells treated with H₂O₂ assessed by WST-8. We also demonstrated Hoechst staining of YAMC cells and that H₂O₂-induced apoptosis is significantly reduced by FGF19 treatment via inhibition of the caspase-3 pathway.

These results indicate FGF19 protects YAMC cells against H₂O₂ and might be related to the pathogenesis of IBD. Even further studies are needed - FGF19 may be one of the possible therapeutic strategies of IBD.