Impaired resolution of inflammation in the Endoglin heterozygous mouse model of chronic colitis

Mediators Inflamm. 2014:2014:767185. doi: 10.1155/2014/767185. Epub 2014 Jul 10.

Abstract

Endoglin is a coreceptor of the TGF-β superfamily predominantly expressed on the vascular endothelium and selective subsets of immune cells. We previously demonstrated that Endoglin heterozygous (Eng (+/-)) mice subjected to dextran sulfate sodium (DSS) developed persistent gut inflammation and pathological angiogenesis. We now report that colitic Eng (+/-) mice have low colonic levels of active TGF-β1, which was associated with reduced expression of thrombospondin-1, an angiostatic factor known to activate TGF-β1. We also demonstrate dysregulated expression of BMPER and follistatin, which are extracellular regulators of the TGF-β superfamily that modulate angiogenesis and inflammation. Heightened colonic levels of the neutrophil chemoattractant and proangiogenic factor, CXCL1, were also observed in DSS-treated Eng (+/-) mice. Interestingly, despite increased macrophage and neutrophil infiltration, a gut-specific reduction in expression of the key phagocytic respiratory burst enzymes, NADPH oxidase 2 (Nox-2) and myeloperoxidase, was seen in Eng (+/-) mice undergoing persistent inflammation. Taken together, these findings suggest that endoglin is required for TGF-β superfamily mediated resolution of inflammation and fully functional myeloid cells.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Chemokine CXCL1 / metabolism
  • Colitis / genetics
  • Colitis / metabolism*
  • Disease Models, Animal
  • Endoglin
  • Heterozygote
  • Inflammation / genetics
  • Inflammation / metabolism*
  • Intracellular Signaling Peptides and Proteins / genetics
  • Intracellular Signaling Peptides and Proteins / metabolism*
  • Mice
  • Mice, Inbred C57BL
  • Signal Transduction / genetics
  • Signal Transduction / physiology
  • Transforming Growth Factor beta1 / genetics
  • Transforming Growth Factor beta1 / metabolism

Substances

  • Chemokine CXCL1
  • Endoglin
  • Eng protein, mouse
  • Intracellular Signaling Peptides and Proteins
  • Transforming Growth Factor beta1