Anti-melanin-concentrating hormone treatment attenuates chronic experimental colitis and fibrosis.
Am J Physiol Gastrointest Liver Physiol
; 304(10): G876-84, 2013 May 15.
Article
in En
| MEDLINE
| ID: mdl-23538494
ABSTRACT
Fibrosis represents a major complication of several chronic diseases, including inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). Treatment of IBD remains a clinical challenge despite several recent therapeutic advances. Melanin-concentrating hormone (MCH) is a hypothalamic neuropeptide shown to regulate appetite and energy balance. However, accumulating evidence suggests that MCH has additional biological effects, including modulation of inflammation. In the present study, we examined the efficacy of an MCH-blocking antibody in treating established, dextran sodium sulfate-induced experimental colitis. Histological and molecular analysis of mouse tissues revealed that mice receiving anti-MCH had accelerated mucosal restitution and lower colonic expression of several proinflammatory cytokines, as well as fibrogenic genes, including COL1A1. In parallel, they spared collagen deposits seen in the untreated mice, suggesting attenuated fibrosis. These findings raised the possibility of perhaps direct effects of MCH on myofibroblasts. Indeed, in biopsies from patients with IBD, we demonstrate expression of the MCH receptor MCHR1 in α-smooth muscle actin(+) subepithelial cells. CCD-18Co cells, a primary human colonic myofibroblast cell line, were also positive for MCHR1. In these cells, MCH acted as a profibrotic modulator by potentiating the effects of IGF-1 and TGF-ß on proliferation and collagen production. Thus, by virtue of combined anti-inflammatory and anti-fibrotic effects, blocking MCH might represent a compelling approach for treating IBD.
Key words
Full text:
1
Collection:
01-internacional
Database:
MEDLINE
Main subject:
Pituitary Hormones
/
Colitis
/
Colonic Diseases
/
Hypothalamic Hormones
/
Melanins
Limits:
Animals
Language:
En
Journal:
Am J Physiol Gastrointest Liver Physiol
Journal subject:
FISIOLOGIA
/
GASTROENTEROLOGIA
Year:
2013
Document type:
Article
Affiliation country:
United States