CXCR4在溃疡性结肠炎小鼠蛋白C系统变化中的作用

目的:蛋白C系统(PCS)是血管内皮功能重要的介导者,而微血管内皮细胞是参与溃疡性结肠炎(UC)最重要的非免疫细胞,本研究旨在探讨趋化因子受体CXCR4在UC病理过程中PCS变化的作用。方法:动物实验分为对照组和UC模型组,进行大体积分、组织病理学积分及溃疡指数评估;测定各组结肠组织和血浆中髓过氧化物酶(MPO)、环氧合酶-2(COX-2)、基质细胞衍生因子-1α(SDF-1α)和单核细胞趋化蛋白-1(MCP-1)的mRNA水平及活性;检测各组结肠CXCR4、β-arrestin、p-JNK、内皮细胞蛋白C受体(EPCR)和血栓调节蛋白(TM)的水平及分布;观察蛋白C(PC)和蛋白S(PS)的活性。分离、培养、鉴定结肠微血管内皮细胞,分为对照组、SDF-1α组、CXCR4沉默组和CXCR4过表达组,观察各组细胞EPCR、TM、β-arrestin和p-JNK的蛋白水平,以及PC、PS和激活的蛋白C(APC)活性。结果:与对照组比,模型组小鼠大体积分、组织病理学积分及溃疡指数升高(P0.05)。结肠组织和血浆MPO、COX-2、SDF-1α和MCP-1 mRNA水平和活性显著升高(P0.01)。结肠组织CXCR4、β-arrestin和p-JNK的蛋白水平上调,EPCR表达下调,血浆PC和PS活性明显降低(P0.05或P0.01)。CXCR4过表达进一步加重SDF-1α对结肠黏膜微血管内皮细胞PCS的抑制,同时进一步升高β-arrestin和p-JNK的蛋白水平(P0.05)。结论:UC时PCS被抑制,CXCR4参与其中,其可能的机制是CXCR4在UC病理过程中介导趋化因子通过β-arrestin-JNK信号通路进一步影响血管内皮细胞功能,从而抑制PCS。

Role of CXCR4 in changes of protein C system in ulcerative colitis mice

AIM: To explore the role of chemokine receptor CXCR4 in the pathogenesis of protein C system (PCS) in ulcerative colitis (UC).METHODS: In vivo, the mice were divided into control group and UC group. The macroscopic score, microscopic score and ulcer index were assessed. The mRNA levels and activity of myeloperoxidase (MPO), cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2), stromal cell-derived factor-1α (SDF-1α) and monocyte chemotactic protein 1 (MCP-1) both in colonic tissue and plasma were determined. The expression and location of CXCR4, β-arrestin, p-JNK, endothelial cell protein C receptor (EPCR) and thrombomodulin (TM) were detected. The activity of protein C (PC) and protein S (PS) was measured in each group. In vitro, mouse colonic microvascular endothelial cells were isolated, cultured and identified. Both CXCR4-overexpressing and CXCR4-silencing colonic mucosa microvascular endothelial cells were constructed. The effects of SDF-1α on the protein levels of EPCR, TM, β-arrestin and p-JNK, and on the activity of PC, PS and activated protein C (APC) were observed.RESULTS: Compared with control group, UC mice showed increased gross score, histopathological score and ulcer index (P<0.05). The mRNA levels and activity of MPO, COX-2, SDF-1α and MCP-1 in colon and plasma were increased (P<0.01). The protein levels of CXCR4, β-arrestin and p-JNK were up-regulated, EPCR expression was down-regulated in colon, and the activity of PC and PS in plasma was decreased (P<0.05 or P<0.01). CXCR4 overexpression further aggravated SDF-1α-induced PCS inhibition in colonic mucosa microvascular endothelial cells, and further up-regulated the protein levels of β-arrestin and p-JNK (P<0.05).CONCLUSION: PCS is inhibited in UC. CXCR4 is involved in the regulation of PCS inhibition by mediating chemokines and acting on colonic mucosa microvascular endothelial cells through β-arrestin-JNK pathway.