Methyl-donor supplementation prevents intestinal colonization by Adherent-Invasive E. coli in a mouse model of Crohn's disease

Sci Rep. 2020 Jul 31;10(1):12922. doi: 10.1038/s41598-020-69472-3.

Abstract

Deficiencies in methyl-donor molecules (folate, B12 vitamin), DNA methylation alteration and high prevalence of Adherent-Invasive Escherichia coli (AIEC) are frequently observed in Crohn's disease (CD) patients. AIEC bacteria adhere to the enterocytes through abnormally expressed carcinoembryonic antigen-related cell adhesion molecule 6 (CEACAM6) glycoprotein on host cells. This work aims at studying the relationship between methyl-donor molecules and AIEC-induced intestinal inflammatory response. CEABAC10 mice, a mouse model of CD, were fed a control or Methyl-donor Supplemented diet (MS diet). CEACAM6 promoter was hypermethylated in intestinal epithelial cells from mice fed an MS diet, which was associated with a significant decrease in CEACAM6 expression. Transcriptomic analysis revealed increased expression of anti-microbial peptides, increase in HSP70 gene family expression and a decreased expression of inflammatory marker Calprotectin upon MS diet, associated to a lower ability of AIEC bacteria to colonize gut mucosa. We observed in a cohort of CD patients that serum folate concentration was inversely correlated to Crohn's disease endoscopic index of severity and to fecal inflammatory markers. This study demonstrates that methyl-donor supplementation through the diet induces a specific intestinal micro-environment limiting pathobiont colonization of the gut. Clinicians may wish to consider methyl-donor supplementation for methyl-donor deficient CD patients.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Antigens, CD / biosynthesis*
  • Antigens, CD / genetics
  • Bacterial Adhesion
  • Cell Adhesion Molecules / biosynthesis*
  • Cell Adhesion Molecules / genetics
  • Crohn Disease* / diet therapy
  • Crohn Disease* / genetics
  • Crohn Disease* / metabolism
  • Crohn Disease* / microbiology
  • DNA Methylation*
  • Disease Models, Animal
  • Escherichia coli / metabolism*
  • Escherichia coli Infections* / diet therapy
  • Escherichia coli Infections* / genetics
  • Escherichia coli Infections* / metabolism
  • Escherichia coli Infections* / pathology
  • Female
  • Food, Formulated*
  • GPI-Linked Proteins / biosynthesis*
  • GPI-Linked Proteins / genetics
  • Gene Expression Regulation
  • Humans
  • Intestinal Mucosa* / metabolism
  • Intestinal Mucosa* / microbiology
  • Male
  • Mice
  • Mice, Transgenic
  • Promoter Regions, Genetic*

Substances

  • Antigens, CD
  • Cell Adhesion Molecules
  • GPI-Linked Proteins
  • Gm5893 protein, mouse