FGF21 Depletion Attenuates Colitis through Intestinal Epithelial IL-22-STAT3 Activation in Mice

Fibroblast growth factor 21 (FGF21) is a glucose and lipid metabolic regulator. Recent research revealed that FGF21 was also induced by inflammatory stimuli. Its role in inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) has not been investigated. In this study, an experimental IBD model was established in FGF21 knockout (KO) and wild-type (WT) mice by adding 2.5% (wt/vol) dextran sodium sulfate (DSS) to their drinking water for 7 days. The severity of the colitis and the inflammation of the mouse colon tissues were analyzed. In WT mice, acute DSS treatment induced an elevation in plasma FGF21 and a significant loss of body weight in a time-dependent manner. Surprisingly, the loss of body weight and the severity of the colitis induced by DSS treatment in WT mice were significantly attenuated in FGF21 KO mice. Colon and circulating pro-inflammatory factors were significantly lower in the FGF21 KO mice compared to the WT mice. As shown by BrdU staining, the FGF21 KO mice demonstrated increased colonic epithelial cell proliferation. DSS treatment reduced intestinal Paneth cell and goblet cell numbers in the WT mice, and this effect was attenuated in the FGF21 KO mice. Mechanistically, FGF21 deficiency significantly increased the signal transducer and activator of transcription (STAT)-3 activation in intestinal epithelial cells and increased the expression of IL-22. Further study showed that the expression of suppressor of cytokine signaling-2/3 (SOCS 2/3), a known feedback inhibitor of STAT3, was significantly inhibited in the DSS-treated FGF2 KO mice compared to the WT mice. We conclude that FGF21 deficiency attenuated the severity of DSS-induced acute colitis, which is likely mediated by enhancing the activation of the IL-22-STAT3 signaling pathway in intestinal epithelial cells.