Synergistic modelling of human disease.

Living model systems, ranging in complexity from bacterial culture to non-human primates, are a cornerstone in disease biology research. Despite their unquestionable usefulness, the disease modelling community remains acutely aware of the challenges and limitations of any individual model. To describe our collective predicament, we often (mis)use the quote by statistician George Box, 'All models are wrong, but some are useful'.

Sharing resources to advance translational research.

The publication of Resource articles is essential for the dissemination of novel, or substantially enhanced, tools, techniques, disease models, datasets and resources. By sharing knowledge and resources in a globally accessible manner, we can support human disease research to accelerate the translation of fundamental discoveries to effective treatments or diagnostics for diverse patient populations. To promote and encourage excellence in Resource articles, Disease Models & Mechanisms (DMM) is launching a new 'Outstanding Resource Paper Prize'. To celebrate this, we highlight recent outstanding DMM Resource articles that have the ultimate goal of benefitting of human health.

V-ATPase is a universal regulator of LC3-associated phagocytosis and non-canonical autophagy.

Non-canonical autophagy is a key cellular pathway in immunity, cancer, and neurodegeneration, characterized by conjugation of ATG8 to endolysosomal single membranes (CASM). CASM is activated by engulfment (endocytosis, phagocytosis), agonists (STING, TRPML1), and infection (influenza), dependent on K490 in the ATG16L1 WD40-domain. However, factors associated with non-canonical ATG16L1 recruitment and CASM induction remain unknown. Here, using pharmacological inhibitors, we investigate a role for V-ATPase during non-canonical autophagy. We report that increased V0-V1 engagement is associated with, and sufficient for, CASM activation. Upon V0-V1 binding, V-ATPase recruits ATG16L1, via K490, during LC3-associated phagocytosis (LAP), STING- and drug-induced CASM, indicating a common mechanism. Furthermore, during LAP, key molecular players, including NADPH oxidase/ROS, converge on V-ATPase. Finally, we show that LAP is sensitive to Salmonella SopF, which disrupts the V-ATPase-ATG16L1 axis and provide evidence that CASM contributes to the Salmonella host response. Together, these data identify V-ATPase as a universal regulator of CASM and indicate that SopF evolved in part to evade non-canonical autophagy.

What lies beyond 100†years of insulin.

It has been 100 years since the discovery of insulin. This revolutionary treatment saves the lives of millions of people living with diabetes, but much remains to be understood of its mechanisms and roles in homeostasis and disease. To celebrate this centenary, we explore areas of ongoing insulin research in diabetes, metabolic syndrome and beyond. Disease Models & Mechanisms aims to publish high-quality basic and pre-clinical research that advances our understanding of these conditions to facilitate clinical and public health impact.

Azathioprine Has a Deleterious Effect on the Bone Health of Mice with DSS-Induced Inflammatory Bowel Disease.

Patients with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) often present poor bone health and are 40% more at risk of bone fracture. Studies have implicated autophagy in IBD pathology and drugs used to treat IBD stimulate autophagy in varying degrees, however, their effect on the skeleton is currently unknown. Here, we have utilised the dextran sulphate sodium (DSS) model of colitis in mice to examine the effects of the thiopurine drug azathioprine on the skeleton. Ten-week-old male mice (n = 6/group) received 3.0% DSS in their drinking water for four days, followed by a 14-day recovery period. Mice were treated with 10 mg/kg/day azathioprine or vehicle control. Histopathological analysis of the colon from DSS mice revealed significant increases in scores for inflammation severity, extent, and crypt damage (p < 0.05). Azathioprine provided partial protection to the colon, as reflected by a lack of significant difference in crypt damage and tissue regeneration with DSS treatment. MicroCT of vehicle-treated DSS mice revealed azathioprine treatment had a significant detrimental effect on the trabecular bone microarchitecture, independent of DSS treatment. Specifically, significant decreases were observed in bone volume/tissue volume (p < 0.01), and trabecular number (p < 0.05), with a concurrent significant increase in trabecular pattern factor (p < 0.01). Immunohistochemical labelling for LC3 revealed azathioprine to induce autophagy in the bone marrow. Together these data suggest that azathioprine treatment may have a deleterious effect on IBD patients who may already be at increased risk of osteoporotic bone fractures and thus will inform on future treatment strategies for patient stratification.

The Inflammatory Bowel Disease Drug Azathioprine Induces Autophagy via mTORC1 and the Unfolded Protein Response Sensor PERK.

BACKGROUND: Genetic studies have strongly linked autophagy to Crohn's disease (CD), and stimulating autophagy in CD patients may be therapeutically beneficial. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of current inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) drugs on autophagy and investigate molecular mechanisms of action and functional outcomes in relation to this cellular process. METHODS: Autophagy marker LC3 was evaluated by confocal fluorescence microscopy and flow cytometry. Drug mechanism of action was investigated by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) array with changes in signaling pathways examined by immunoblot and quantitative reverse transcription PCR (RT-qPCR). Clearance of adherent-invasive Escherichia coli (AIEC) and levels of pro-inflammatory cytokine tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNFα) were evaluated by gentamicin protection assays and RT-qPCR, respectively. The marker LC3 was analyzed in peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) from pediatric patients by flow cytometry. RESULTS: Azathioprine induces autophagy via mechanisms involving modulation of mechanistic target of rapamycin (mTORC1) signaling and stimulation of the unfolded protein response (UPR) sensor PERK. Induction of autophagy with azathioprine correlated with the enhanced clearance of AIEC and dampened AIEC-induced increases in TNFα. Azathioprine induced significant increase in autophagosome bound LC3-II in PBMC populations ex vivo, supporting in vitro findings. In patients, the CD-associated ATG16L1 T300A single-nucleotide polymorphism did not attenuate azathioprine induction of autophagy. CONCLUSIONS: Modulation of autophagy via mTORC1 and the UPR may contribute to the therapeutic efficacy of azathioprine in IBD.

The type III intermediate filament vimentin regulates organelle distribution and modulates autophagy.

The cytoskeletal protein vimentin plays a key role in positioning of organelles within the cytosol and has been linked to the regulation of numerous cellular processes including autophagy, however, how vimentin regulates autophagy remains relatively unexplored. Here we report that inhibition of vimentin using the steroidal lactone Withaferin A (WFA) causes vimentin to aggregate, and this is associated with the relocalisation of organelles including autophagosomes and lysosomes from the cytosol to a juxtanuclear location. Vimentin inhibition causes autophagosomes to accumulate, and we demonstrate this results from modulation of mechanistic target of rapamycin (mTORC1) activity, and disruption of autophagosome-lysosome fusion. We suggest that vimentin plays a physiological role in autophagosome and lysosome positioning, thus identifying vimentin as a key factor in the regulation of mTORC1 and autophagy.

Interactions Between Autophagy and the Unfolded Protein Response: Implications for Inflammatory Bowel Disease.

Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), which includes Crohn's disease (CD) and ulcerative colitis, is characterized by chronic inflammation of the gastrointestinal tract. The etiology involves a combination of genetic and environmental factors resulting in abnormal immune responses to intestinal microbiota. Genetic studies have strongly linked genes involved in autophagy to CD, and genes involved in the unfolded protein response (UPR) to IBD. The UPR is triggered in response to accumulation of misfolded proteins in the endoplasmic reticulum (ER), and autophagy plays a key role in relieving ER stress and restoring homeostasis. This review summarizes the known interactions between autophagy and the UPR and discusses the impact of these converging pathways on IBD pathogenesis. With a paucity of effective long-term treatments for IBD, targeting of synergistic pathways may provide novel and more effective therapeutic options.

Inflammatory Bowel Disease Drugs: A Focus on Autophagy.

Inflammatory bowel disease [IBD] is characterized by chronic inflammation of the gastrointestinal tract. Medications such as corticosteroids, thiopurines, immunomodulators and biologic agents are used to induce and maintain remission; however, response to these drugs is variable and can diminish over time. Defective autophagy has been strongly linked to IBD pathogenesis, with evidence showing that enhancing autophagy may be therapeutically beneficial by regulating inflammation and clearing intestinal pathogens. It is plausible that the therapeutic effects of some IBD drugs are mediated in part through modulation of the autophagy pathway, with studies investigating a wide range of diseases and cell types demonstrating autophagy pathway regulation by these agents. This review will highlight the current evidence, both in vitro and in vivo, for the modulation of autophagy by drugs routinely used in IBD. A clearer understanding of their mechanisms of action will be invaluable to utilize these drugs in a more targeted and personalized manner in this diverse and often complex group of patients.