Intestinal mesenchymal cells regulate immune responses and promote epithelial regeneration in vitro and in dextran sulfate sodium‐induced experimental colitis in mice

• Published in: Acta Physiologica 2021-10, Vol.233 (2), p.e13699-n/a
• Main Authors: Hidalgo‐Garcia, Laura, Molina‐Tijeras, José Alberto, Huertas‐Peña, Francisco, Ruiz‐Malagón, Antonio Jesús, Diez‐Echave, Patricia, Vezza, Teresa, Rodríguez‐Sojo, María Jesús, Morón, Rocío, Becerra‐Massare, Patricia, Rodríguez‐Nogales, Alba, Gálvez, Julio, Rodríguez‐Cabezas, María Elena, Anderson, Per
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Antigens; CD105 antigen; CD45 antigen; CD73 antigen; CD90 antigen; Cell proliferation; Colitis; Colon; Dextran; Dextran sulfate; dextran sulfate sodium colitis; Dioxygenase; Disease; Epithelial cells; Explants; Gene expression; Immune response; Immunological tolerance; Immunological unresponsiveness; Immunomodulation; Inflammatory bowel disease; Inflammatory bowel diseases; intestinal mesenchymal cells; Intestine; Macrophages; Mesenchyme; Mucosa; Permeability; Wound healing
• ISSN: 1748-1708; 1748-1716
• DOI: 10.1111/apha.13699

Aim Disruption of the intestinal mucosal tolerance, that is, the immunological unresponsiveness to innocuous food antigens and the commensal microbiota, in the colon is associated with several chronic diseases including inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). Understanding the mechanisms responsible for intestinal mucosal tolerance has potential translational value for its therapy and management. Human intestinal mesenchymal cells (iMCs) play important roles in colonic mucosal tolerance, but further studies on their tissue regenerative and immunomodulatory capacities are necessary in order to fully understand their function in health and disease. Methods In this study, we have isolated and analysed the capacity of human iMCs to promote wound healing and modulate immune responses in vitro and in vivo, using the dextran sulfate sodium (DSS)‐induced colitis model. Results Cultured iMCs were CD45−CD73+CD90+CD105+ and accelerated the wound closure in a normal colon mucosa (NCM) 356 human epithelial cell wound healing assay. Furthermore, iMCs blocked the LPS‐mediated induction of TNF‐α in THP‐1 macrophages and inhibited the proliferation of peripheral blood mononuclear cells, partly through the induction of indoleamine‐2,3‐dioxygenase. In DSS colitic mice, iMCs administration reduced the disease activity index and ameliorated intestinal tissue damage and permeability. Furthermore, iMCs reduced intestinal inflammation, evidenced by a decreased mRNA expression of pro‐inflammatory cytokines, reduced IL‐1β secretion by intestinal explants and inhibited colonic iNOS protein expression. Conclusions Our data show that human iMCs isolated from the noninflamed intestine possess tissue‐regenerative and immunomodulatory capacities that could potentially be harnessed/restored in order to reduce IBD severity.