Sodium chloride exacerbates dextran sulfate sodium-induced colitis by tuning proinflammatory and antiinflammatory lamina propria mononuclear cells through p38/MAPK pathway in mice

World J Gastroenterol. 2018 Apr 28;24(16):1779-1794. doi: 10.3748/wjg.v24.i16.1779.

Abstract

Aim: To investigate the influence of high salt on dextran sulfate sodium (DSS)-induced colitis in mice and explore the underlying mechanisms of this effect.

Methods: DSS and NaCl were used to establish the proinflammatory animal model. We evaluated the colitis severity. Flow cytometry was employed for detecting the frequencies of Th1, macrophages and Tregs in spleen, mesenteric lymph node and lamina propria. The important role of macrophages in the promotion of DSS-induced colitis by NaCl was evaluated by depleting macrophages with clodronate liposomes. Activated peritoneal macrophages and lamina propria mononuclear cells (LPMCs) were stimulated with NaCl, and proteins were detected by western blotting. Cytokines and inflammation genes were analyzed by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay and RT-PCR, respectively.

Results: The study findings indicate that NaCl up-regulates the frequencies of CD11b+ macrophages and CD4+IFN-γ+IL-17+ T cells in lamina propria in DSS-treated mice. CD3+CD4+CD25+Foxp3+ T cells, which can secrete high levels of IL-10 and TGF-β, increase through feedback in NaCl- and DSS-treated mice. Furthermore, clodronate liposomes pretreatment significantly alleviated DSS-induced colitis, indicating that macrophages play a vital role in NaCl proinflammatory activity. NaCl aggravates peritoneal macrophage inflammation by promoting the expressions of interleukin (IL)-1, IL-6 and mouse inducible nitric oxide synthase. Specifically, high NaCl concentrations promote p38 phosphorylation in lipopolysaccharide- and IFN-γ-activated LPMCs mediated by SGK1.

Conclusion: Proinflammatory macrophages may play an essential role in the onset and development of NaCl-promoted inflammation in DSS-induced colitis. The underlining mechanism involves up-regulation of the p38/MAPK axis.

Keywords: CD4+IFN-γ+IL-17+ T cell; Inflammatory bowel disease; Macrophage; NaCl; p38/MAPK.

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Cells, Cultured
  • Colitis / chemically induced*
  • Colitis / enzymology
  • Colitis / immunology
  • Colitis / pathology
  • Colon / drug effects*
  • Colon / enzymology
  • Colon / immunology
  • Colon / pathology
  • Cytokines / genetics
  • Cytokines / metabolism
  • Dextran Sulfate*
  • Disease Models, Animal
  • Female
  • Inflammation Mediators / metabolism
  • Intestinal Mucosa / drug effects*
  • Intestinal Mucosa / enzymology
  • Intestinal Mucosa / immunology
  • Intestinal Mucosa / pathology
  • MAP Kinase Signaling System / drug effects*
  • Macrophages, Peritoneal / drug effects
  • Macrophages, Peritoneal / immunology
  • Macrophages, Peritoneal / metabolism
  • Mice, Inbred C57BL
  • Sodium Chloride / toxicity*
  • T-Lymphocytes, Regulatory / drug effects
  • T-Lymphocytes, Regulatory / immunology
  • T-Lymphocytes, Regulatory / metabolism
  • Tissue Culture Techniques
  • p38 Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinases / metabolism*

Substances

  • Cytokines
  • Inflammation Mediators
  • Sodium Chloride
  • Dextran Sulfate
  • p38 Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinases