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Published on: January 5, 2017
Actin related protein 3 (ARP3) promotes apoptosis of intestinal epithelial cells in ulcerative colitis
Shi-Qing Zhang1, Wen-Kai Ni2, Ming-Bing Xiao3
1Department of Gastroenterology, Affiliated Hospital of Nantong University, No. 20, XiSi Road, Nantong, Jiangsu, 226001, PR China; Clinical Medicine, Medical College, Nantong University, Nantong, 226001, PR China.
Abstract:
Apoptosis in intestinal epithelial cells (IECs) promotes the development of ulcerative colitis (UC), a type of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). Efficient clearance of apoptotic cells is essential for tissue homeostasis in metazoans. Actin related protein 3 (ARP3) promotes endothelial dysfunction. The expression and function of ARP3 in UC remains unclear. In this study, the expression of apoptotic markers as p53, Bax, Cleaved-Caspease9 and Cleaved-Caspease3 were proved to be increased in the intestinal epithelial cells (IECs) of UC patients and in a mouse disuccinimidyl suberate(DSS)-induced colitis model; meanwhile, ARP3 expression was elevated. ARP3 expression levels and the severity of symptoms in patients with UC were positively correlated. By knocking down ARP3 in a TNF-α-treated NCM-460 cell colitis model, the apoptotic markers described above were all decreased. In conclusion, our data indicates that ARP3 might promote the apoptosis of IECs in UC, revealing a potential molecular target for treating UC.
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