A groundbreaking study conducted by Jun Sun’s research team at the University of Illinois Chicago has revealed a new and critical role of Axin1 in regulating intestinal epithelial development and microbial homeostasis. The research, published in the journal Engineering, highlights the potential therapeutic strategies for human inflammatory bowel disease (IBD).

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IBD, a chronic inflammatory disorder affecting the gastrointestinal tract, has been a significant health concern worldwide. The study focused on understanding the role of Axin1, a negative regulator of Wnt/β-catenin signaling, in maintaining gut homeostasis and host response to inflammation.

Axin1 expression

The research team analyzed Axin1 expression in human inflammatory bowel disease datasets and found increased Axin1 expression in the colonic epithelium of IBD patients. To further investigate the effects and mechanism of intestinal Axin1 in regulating intestinal homeostasis and colitis, the team generated new mouse models with Axin1 conditional knockout in intestinal epithelial cells (Axin1ΔIEC) and Paneth cells (Axin1ΔPC).

The results showed that Axin1ΔIEC mice exhibited altered goblet cell spatial distribution, Paneth cell morphology, reduced lysozyme expression, and an enriched presence of Akkermansia muciniphila (A. muciniphila) in the gut microbiota. Importantly, the absence of intestinal epithelial and Paneth cell Axin1 led to decreased susceptibility to dextran sulfate sodium-induced colitis in vivo.

Furthermore, when Axin1ΔIEC and Axin1ΔPC mice were cohoused with control mice, they became more susceptible to dextran sulfate sodium (DSS)-colitis, suggesting the protective role of Axin1 in the presence of a healthy gut microbiota. Treatment with A. muciniphila further reduced the severity of DSS-colitis, highlighting its potential as a therapeutic target.

Role of antibiotics

Interestingly, antibiotic treatment did not change the proliferation of intestinal epithelial cells in the control mice. However, in Axin1ΔIEC mice with antibiotic treatment, the intestinal proliferative cells were significantly reduced, indicating the non-colitogenic effects driven by the gut microbiome.

These findings demonstrate the novel role of Axin1 in mediating intestinal homeostasis and the microbiota. The loss of intestinal Axin1 protects against colitis, likely through the regulation of epithelial Axin1 and Axin1-associated A. muciniphila. Further mechanistic studies using specific Axin1 mutations will be crucial in elucidating how Axin1 modulates the microbiome and host inflammatory response, paving the way for new therapeutic strategies for human IBD.

Jiaming Wu, editor of the subject of medicine and health of Engineering, commented: “This study provides valuable insights into the development of inflammatory bowel disease and offers potential therapeutic strategies for its treatment. By understanding the intricate interactions between Axin1, the gut microbiota, and host immunity, researchers can develop targeted interventions to restore intestinal homeostasis and alleviate the symptoms of IBD.”

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