Nfe2l2/NRF2 deletion attenuates tumorigenesis and increases bacterial diversity in a mouse model of Lynch syndrome.

Lynch syndrome (LS) is the most prevalent heritable form of colorectal cancer (CRC). Its early onset and high lifetime risk for CRC emphasize the necessity for effective chemoprevention. NFE2L2 (NRF2) is often considered a potential druggable target, and many chemopreventive compounds do induce NRF2. However, while NRF2 counteracts oxidative stress, it is also overexpressed in CRC and may promote tumorigenesis. Herein, we evaluated the role of NRF2 in prevention of LS-associated neoplasia. We found an increased levels of NRF2 in intestinal epithelia of mice with intestinal epithelial-specific Msh2 deletion (MSH2ΔIEC) as compared to C57BL/6 (wild type) mice, as well as an increase in downstream NRF2 targets Nqo1 and Gclc. Likewise, NRF2 levels were increased in human MSH2-deficient LS tumors compared to healthy controls. In silico analysis of a publicly accessible RNA-sequencing LS dataset also found an increase in downstream NRF2 targets. Upon crossing MSH2ΔIEC with Nrf2null mice (MSH2ΔIECNrf2null), we unexpectedly found reduced tumorigenesis in MSH2ΔIECNrf2null compared to MSH2ΔIEC after 40 weeks. This occurred despite an increase in oxidative damage in MSH2ΔIECNrf2null mice. Loss of NRF2 impaired proliferation as seen by Ki67 intestinal staining and in organoid cultures. This was accompanied by diminished WNT/ß-catenin signaling. Apoptosis was unaffected. Microbial alpha-diversity increased over time with loss of NRF2 based upon 16S rRNA gene amplicon sequencing of murine fecal samples. Altogether, we show that NRF2 protein levels are increased in MSH2-deficiency and associated neoplasia, but loss of NRF2 attenuates tumorigenesis. Activation of NRF2 may not be a feasible strategy for chemoprevention in LS.

Atypical enteropathogenic E. coli are associated with disease activity in ulcerative colitis.

With increasing urbanization and industrialization, the prevalence of inflammatory bowel diseases (IBDs) has steadily been rising over the past two decades. IBD involves flares of gastrointestinal (GI) inflammation accompanied by microbiota perturbations. However, microbial mechanisms that trigger such flares remain elusive. Here, we analyzed the association of the emerging pathogen atypical enteropathogenic E. coli (aEPEC) with IBD disease activity. The presence of diarrheagenic E. coli was assessed in stool samples from 630 IBD patients and 234 age- and sex-matched controls without GI symptoms. Microbiota was analyzed with 16S ribosomal RNA gene amplicon sequencing, and 57 clinical aEPEC isolates were subjected to whole-genome sequencing and in vitro pathogenicity experiments including biofilm formation, epithelial barrier function and the ability to induce pro-inflammatory signaling. The presence of aEPEC correlated with laboratory, clinical and endoscopic disease activity in ulcerative colitis (UC), as well as microbiota dysbiosis. In vitro, aEPEC strains induce epithelial p21-activated kinases, disrupt the epithelial barrier and display potent biofilm formation. The effector proteins espV and espG2 distinguish aEPEC cultured from UC and Crohn's disease patients, respectively. EspV-positive aEPEC harbor more virulence factors and have a higher pro-inflammatory potential, which is counteracted by 5-ASA. aEPEC may tip a fragile immune-microbiota homeostasis and thereby contribute to flares in UC. aEPEC isolates from UC patients display properties to disrupt the epithelial barrier and to induce pro-inflammatory signaling in vitro.

Secretome Conveys the Protective Effects of ASCs: Therapeutic Potential Following Hemorrhagic Shock?

OBJECTIVES: We tested whether resuscitation supplemented with rat adipose-derived stem cells (ASCs) or secretome (conditioned media) of ASCs can ameliorate inflammation, cell/organ injury, and/or improve outcome after hemorrhagic traumatic shock (HTS). INTERVENTIONS: Rats were subjected to HTS and a resuscitation protocol that mimics prehospital restrictive reperfusion followed by an adequate reperfusion phase. Twenty minutes into the restrictive reperfusion, animals received an intravenous bolus of 2 × 10 cells (ASC group) or the secretome produced by 2 × 10 ASCs/24 h (ASC-Secretome group). Controls received the vehicle (Vehicle group). All rats were observed for 28-day survival. MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS: HTS-induced inflammation represented by IL-6 was inhibited in the ASC (80%, P < 0.001) and in ASC-Secretome (59%, P < 0.01) group at 48 h compared with Vehicle group. At 24 h, HTS-induced liver injury reflected in plasma alanine aminotransferase was ameliorated by 36% (P < 0.001) in both the ASC and ASC-Secretome groups when compared with the Vehicle. There was no effect on kidney function and/or general cell injury markers. HTS induced a moderate 28-day mortality (18%) that was prevented (P = 0.08) in the ASC but not in the ASC-Secretome group (12%). CONCLUSIONS: Our data suggest that the ASC-secretome supplemented resuscitation following HTS, in the absence of the stem cells, exerts anti-inflammatory and liver protective effects. Given its ease of preparation, storage, availability, and application (in contrast to the stem cells) we believe that the cell-free secretome has a better therapeutic potential in the early phase of an acute hemorrhagic shock scenario.

Rapid measurement of fibrinogen concentration in whole blood using a steel ball coagulometer.

BACKGROUND: Fibrinogen plays a key role in hemostasis and is the first coagulation factor to reach critical levels in bleeding patients. Current European guidelines on the management of traumatic or perioperative bleeding recommend fibrinogen supplementation at specific threshold levels. Whole blood viscoelastic tests provide fast evaluation of fibrin deficits. Fast measurement of plasma fibrinogen concentration is not yet available. We investigated a method to rapidly determine whole blood fibrinogen concentration using standard Clauss assays and a steel ball coagulometer and provide an estimate of the "plasma-equivalent" fibrinogen concentration within minutes by adjustment of the measured whole blood fibrinogen concentration with a quickly measureable hemoglobin-derived hematocrit. METHODS: The feasibility of this approach was tested with a Clauss assay using multiple porcine fresh blood samples obtained during in vivo bleeding, hemodilution, and after treatment with hemostatic therapy. Two different Clauss assays were then tested using multiple human volunteers' blood samples diluted in vitro and supplemented with fibrinogen concentrate. Comparative measurements with fibrin-based thromboelastometry tests were performed. RESULTS: Regression and Bland-Altman analyses of derived "plasma-equivalent" fibrinogen and measured plasma fibrinogen concentration was excellent in porcine and human blood samples, especially in the ranges relevant to traumatic or perioperative bleeding. CONCLUSION: Fast whole blood fibrinogen measurements could be considered as an alternative to plasma fibrinogen measurement for acute bleeding management in trauma and perioperative care settings. Further studies are needed to prove this concept and determine the turnaround times for its clinical application in emergency departments and operating theaters.