| 1. |
- Bakke, Ingunn, et al.
(author)
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Mucosal and faecal neutrophil gelatinase-associated lipocalin as potential biomarkers for collagenous colitis
- 2021
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In: Journal of gastroenterology. - : Springer Nature. - 0944-1174 .- 1435-5922. ; 56:10, s. 914-927
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Background Collagenous colitis (CC) is an inflammatory bowel disease where chronic diarrhoea is the main symptom. Diagnostic markers distinguishing between CC and other causes of chronic diarrhoea remain elusive. This study explores neutrophil gelatinase-associated lipocalin (NGAL) and its mRNA lipocalin2 (LCN2) as histological and faecal disease markers in CC. Methods NGAL/LCN2 were studied in colonic biopsies from CC patients before and during budesonide treatment using RNA sequencing (n = 9/group), in situ hybridization (ISH) (n = 13-22/group) and immunohistochemistry (IHC) (n = 14-25/group). Faecal samples from CC (n = 3-28/group), irritable bowel syndrome diarrhoea (IBS-D) (n = 14) and healthy controls (HC) (n = 15) were assayed for NGAL and calprotectin. Results NGAL/LCN2 protein and mRNA expression were upregulated in active CC vs HC, and vs paired samples of treated CC in clinical remission. IHC and ISH localized increased NGAL/LCN2 mainly to epithelium of active CC, compared to almost absence in HC and treated CC. In contrast, calprotectin was solely expressed in immune cells. Despite great individual differences, faecal NGAL was significantly increased in active CC compared to HC, IBS-D and treated CC and had high test sensitivity. Faecal calprotectin levels were variably increased in active CC, but the values remained below usual clinical cut-offs. Conclusion NGAL/LCN2 is upregulated in the epithelium of active CC and reduced during budesonide-induced clinical remission to the level of HC and IBD-S. This was reflected in NGAL faecal concentrations. We propose NGAL as an IHC marker for disease activity in CC and a potential faecal biomarker discriminating CC from HC and IBS-D.
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| 2. |
- Barbateskovic, Marija, et al.
(author)
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A new tool to assess Clinical Diversity In Meta-analyses (CDIM) of interventions
- 2021
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In: Journal of Clinical Epidemiology. - : Elsevier BV. - 0895-4356 .- 1878-5921. ; 135, s. 29-41
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Objective: To develop and validate Clinical Diversity In Meta-analyses (CDIM), a new tool for assessing clinical diversity between trials in meta-analyses of interventions. Study design and setting: The development of CDIM was based on consensus work informed by empirical literature and expertise. We drafted the CDIM tool, refined it, and validated CDIM for interrater scale reliability and agreement in three groups. Results: CDIM measures clinical diversity on a scale that includes four domains with 11 items overall: setting (time of conduct/country development status/units type); population (age, sex, patient inclusion criteria/baseline disease severity, comorbidities); interventions (intervention intensity/strength/duration of intervention, timing, control intervention, cointerventions); and outcome (definition of outcome, timing of outcome assessment). The CDIM is completed in two steps: first two authors independently assess clinical diversity in the four domains. Second, after agreeing upon scores of individual items a consensus score is achieved. Interrater scale reliability and agreement ranged from moderate to almost perfect depending on the type of raters. Conclusion: CDIM is the first tool developed for assessing clinical diversity in meta-analyses of interventions. We found CDIM to be a reliable tool for assessing clinical diversity among trials in meta-analysis.
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| 3. |
- Bhardwaj, Archana, et al.
(author)
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Lymphocytic colitis can be transcriptionally divided into channelopathic and inflammatory lymphocytic colitis
- 2024
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In: United European Gastroenterology journal. - : JOHN WILEY & SONS LTD. - 2050-6406 .- 2050-6414.
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- BackgroundThe pathobiology of the non-destructive inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) lymphocytic colitis (LC) is poorly understood. We aimed to define an LC-specific mucosal transcriptome to gain insight into LC pathology, identify unique genomic signatures, and uncover potentially druggable disease pathways.MethodsWe performed bulk RNA-sequencing of LC and collagenous colitis (CC) colonic mucosa from patients with active disease, and healthy controls (n = 4-10 per cohort). Differential gene expression was analyzed by gene-set enrichment and deconvolution analyses to identify pathologically relevant pathways and cells, respectively, altered in LC. Key findings were validated using reverse transcription quantitative PCR and/or immunohistochemistry. Finally, we compared our data with a previous cohort of ulcerative colitis and Crohn's disease patients (n = 4 per group) to distinguish non-destructive from classic IBD.ResultsLC can be subdivided into channelopathic LC, which is governed by organic acid and ion transport dysregulation, and inflammatory LC, which is driven by microbial immune responses. Inflammatory LC displays an innate and adaptive immunity that is limited compared to CC and classic IBD. Conversely, we noted a distinct induction of regulatory non-coding RNA species in inflammatory LC samples. Moreover, compared with CC, water channel and cell adhesion molecule gene expression decreased in channelopathic LC, whereas it was accentuated in inflammatory LC and associated with reduced intestinal epithelial cell proliferation.ConclusionsWe conclude that LC can be subdivided into channelopathic LC and inflammatory LC that could be pathomechanistically distinct subtypes despite their shared clinical presentation. Inflammatory LC exhibits a dampened immune response compared to CC and classic IBDs. Our results point to regulatory micro-RNAs as a potential disease-specific feature that may be amenable to therapeutic intervention. image
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| 4. |
- Bouma, Gerd, et al.
(author)
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Microscopic Colitis
- 2015
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In: Digestive Diseases. - : Karger. - 0257-2753 .- 1421-9875. ; 33:2, s. 208-214
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Microscopic colitis (MC) is the common denominator for lymphocytic and collagenous colitis (CC). It is now recognized as a relatively frequent cause of diarrhea that equals the prevalence of inflammatory bowel disease. Patients are typically middle-aged women, but disease may occur at every age. Patients with MC report watery, non-bloody diarrhea in the absence of endoscopic and radiologic abnormalities. Lymphocytic colitis is characterized by an increased number of intraepithelial lymphocytes, and CC by a thickened subepithelial collagen band, whereas in both an increased mononuclear infiltration of the lamina propria is found. The pathogenesis of MC is largely unknown, but may relate to autoimmunity, adverse reactions to drugs or (bacterial) toxins, and abnormal collagen metabolism in the case of CC. Budesonide is so far the only drug that has proven efficacy in randomized controlled trials both for the induction and maintenance of remission. Patients who are nonresponsive, dependent or who experience side effects on budesonide may benefit from thiopurine or anti-TNF treatment, but these options are still experimental. The long-term prognosis of MC is good; it does not appear to predispose to malignancies and can in some cases be self-limiting. Further research and randomized clinical trials are required to expand our understanding of the natural course and the pathogenesis of MC.
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| 5. |
- Daferera, Niki, et al.
(author)
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Collagenous Colitis Mucosa Is Characterized by an Expansion of Nonsuppressive FoxP3(+) T Helper Cells
- 2021
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In: Inflammatory Bowel Diseases. - : OXFORD UNIV PRESS INC. - 1078-0998 .- 1536-4844. ; 27:9, s. 1482-1490
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Background and Aim: Increased frequencies of T regulatory (Treg) cells, key players in immune regulation, have been reported in inflammatory bowel diseases, including collagenous colitis (CC). However, traditional Treg identification techniques might have misinterpreted the frequencies of Treg cells in CC. Thus, we investigated the presence of genuine Treg cells in CC. Methods: Treg cells were analyzed in mucosal and peripheral blood samples of CC patients before and during treatment with the corticosteroid drug budesonide and in healthy controls. Samples were analyzed by flow cytometry by classifying CD3(+) CD4(+) cells as activated FoxP3(high)CD45RA. Treg cells, resting FoxP3(dim)CD45RA(+) Treg cells, and nonsuppressive FoxP3(dim)CD45RA-T helper cells. Traditional gating strategies that classified Treg cells as CD25(high)CD127(lo)(w), FoxP3(+)CD127(low), and CD4(+)CD25(+)FoxP3(+) were also used to facilitate comparison with previous studies. Results: Activated and resting Treg cell frequencies did not change in active CC mucosa or peripheral blood and were not affected by budesonide treatment. Instead, nonsuppressive FoxP3(dim)CD45RA-T helper cells were increased in active CC mucosa, and budesonide helped restore them to normal levels. In contrast, traditional Treg cell gating strategies resulted in increased Treg cell frequencies in active CC mucosa. No alterations were found in peripheral blood samples, independently of patient treatment or gating techniques. Conclusion: Previously reported increase of Treg cells is a result of incomplete Treg phenotyping, which included nonsuppressive FoxP3(dim)CD45RA - T helper cells. Because budesonide did not affect Treg percentage, its therapeutic effect in CC might involve alternative mechanisms.
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| 6. |
- Daferera, Niki, et al.
(author)
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Fecal stream diversion and mucosal cytokine levels in collagenous colitis : A case report
- 2015
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In: World Journal of Gastroenterology. - Pleasanton, USA : Baishideng Publishing Group Inc.. - 1007-9327 .- 2219-2840. ; 21:19, s. 6065-6071
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- In this case report, we examined the levels of cytokines expressed before and during fecal stream diversion and after intestinal continuity was restored in a patient with collagenous colitis. We report the case of a 46-year-old woman with chronic, active collagenous colitis who either failed to achieve clinical remission or experienced adverse effects with the following drugs: loperamide, cholestyramine, budesonide, methotrexate and adalimumab. Due to the intractable nature of the disease and because the patient was having up to 15 watery bowel movements per day, she underwent a temporary ileostomy. Colonic biopsies were analyzed for mucosal cytokine protein levels before and during fecal stream diversion and after intestinal continuity was restored. Mucosal protein levels of interleukin (IL)-1β, IL-2, IL-6, IL-12, IL-17 A, IL-23, TNF, IFN-γ, IL-4, IL-5, IL-10 and IL-13 were all higher during active disease and decreased to non-detectable or considerably lower levels during fecal stream diversion. One month after the restoration of bowel continuity, when the patient experienced a relapse of symptoms, IL-2, IL-23 and IL-21 levels were again increased. Our results indicate that fecal stream diversion in this patient suppressed the levels of all cytokines analyzed in colonic biopsies. With the recurrence of clinical symptoms and histological changes after bowel reconstruction, the levels of primarily proinflammatory cytokines increased. Our findings support the hypothesis that a luminal factor triggers the inflammation observed in collagenous colitis.
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| 7. |
- Daferera, Niki, et al.
(author)
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Mucosa associated invariant T and natural killer cells in active and budesonide treated collagenous colitis patients
- 2022
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In: Frontiers in Immunology. - : FRONTIERS MEDIA SA. - 1664-3224. ; 13
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- IntroductionCollagenous colitis (CC) is an inflammatory bowel disease, which usually responds to budesonide treatment. Our aim was to study the immunological background of the disease. MethodsAnalyses of peripheral and mucosal MAIT (mucosa associated invariant T cells) and NK (natural killer) cells were performed with flow cytometry. Numbers of mucosal cells were calculated using immunohistochemistry. We studied the same patients with active untreated CC (au-CC) and again while in remission on budesonide treatment. Budesonide refractory patients and healthy controls were also included. The memory marker CD45R0 and activation marker CD154 and CD69 were used to further study the cells. Finally B cells, CD4(+) and CD8(+) T cells were also analysed. ResultsThe percentages of circulating CD56(dim)CD16(+) NK cells as well as MAIT cells (CD3(+)TCRVa7.2(+)CD161(+)) were decreased in au-CC compared to healthy controls. This difference was not seen in the mucosa; where we instead found increased numbers of mucosal CD4(+) T cells and CD8(+) T cells in au-CC. Mucosal immune cell numbers were not affected by budesonide treatment. In refractory CC we found increased mucosal numbers of MAIT cells, CD4(+) and CD8(+) T cells compared to au-CC. DiscussionPatients with active collagenous colitis have lower percentages of circulating MAIT and NK cells. However, there was no change of these cells in the colonic mucosa. Most mucosal cell populations were increased in budesonide refractory as compared to au-CC patients, particularly the number of MAIT cells. This may indicate that T cell targeting therapy could be an alternative in budesonide refractory CC.
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| 8. |
- Daferera, Niki, et al.
(author)
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Single-centre experience with anti-tumour necrosis factor treatment in budesonide-refractory microscopic colitis patients
- 2019
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In: United European Gastroenterology journal. - : SAGE PUBLICATIONS INC. - 2050-6406 .- 2050-6414. ; 7:9, s. 1234-1240
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Background: Microscopic colitis is an inflammatory bowel disease that causes chronic, watery diarrhoea. Microscopic colitis is usually effectively treated with budesonide, but some patients are refractory. Data on alternative treatments are sparse. Aims: The purpose of this study was to retrospectively evaluate outcome of microscopic colitis patients receiving anti-tumour necrosis factor therapy at our centre. Methods:Treatment results, including side effects, for all microscopic colitis patients receiving anti-tumour necrosis factor therapy were registered at week 12 and at end of follow-up. Clinical remission was defined as a mean of Results: The study cohort comprised 18 patients; mean age at diagnosis was 47 years (range 19-77). Ten and eight patients, respectively, received adalimumab and infliximab as first-line anti-tumour necrosis factor; seven patients received second-line anti-tumour necrosis factor due to non-response, loss of response or side effects. At week 12, 9/18 patients had achieved remission, 6/18 were responders and 3/18 were non-responders. Of the nine remission patients, 3/18 (16%) had long-lasting clinical remission post-induction therapy alone. Five patients (28%) (one first-line, four second-line anti-tumour necrosis factor) were in remission and one patient (6%) responded to maintenance treatment; follow-up was mean 22 (range 4-60) months. Six patients (33%) had minor, reversible side effects. Conclusions: Over half of budesonide-refractory microscopic colitis patients can achieve clinical remission or response on anti-tumour necrosis factor agents. Prospective studies are mandatory to evaluate the efficacy and safety of anti-tumour necrosis factor treatments in budesonide-refractory microscopic colitis.
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| 9. |
- Escudero-Hernández, Celia, et al.
(author)
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The Water Channel Aquaporin 8 is a Critical Regulator of Intestinal Fluid Homeostasis in Collagenous Colitis
- 2020
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In: Journal of Crohn's & Colitis. - : Oxford University Press. - 1873-9946 .- 1876-4479. ; 14:7, s. 962-973
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- BACKGROUND AND AIMS: Diarrhoea is a common, debilitating symptom of gastrointestinal disorders. Pathomechanisms probably involve defects in trans-epithelial water transport, but the role of aquaporin [AQP] family water channels in diarrhoea-predominant diseases is unknown. We investigated the involvement of AQPs in the pathobiology of collagenous colitis [CC], which features chronic, watery diarrhoea despite overtly normal intestinal epithelial cells [IECs].METHODS: We assessed the expression of all AQP family members in mucosal samples of CC patients before and during treatment with the corticosteroid drug budesonide, steroid-refractory CC patients and healthy controls. Samples were analysed by genome-wide mRNA sequencing [RNA-seq] and quantitative real-time PCR [qPCR]. In some patients, we performed tissue microdissection followed by RNA-seq to explore the IEC-specific CC transcriptome. We determined changes in the protein levels of the lead candidates in IEC by confocal microscopy. Finally, we investigated the regulation of AQP expression by corticosteroids in model cell lines.RESULTS: Using qPCR and RNA-seq, we identified loss of AQP8 expression as a hallmark of active CC, which was reverted by budesonide treatment in steroid-responsive but not refractory patients. Consistently, decreased AQP8 mRNA and protein levels were observed in IECs of patients with active CC, and steroid drugs increased AQP8 expression in model IECs. Moreover, low APQ8 expression was strongly associated with higher stool frequency in CC patients.CONCLUSION: Down-regulation of epithelial AQP8 may impair water resorption in active CC, resulting in watery diarrhoea. Our results suggest that AQP8 is a potential drug target for the treatment of diarrhoeal disorders.
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| 10. |
- Escudero-Hernández, Celia, et al.
(author)
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Transcriptomic profiling of collagenous colitis identifies hallmarks of non-destructive inflammatory bowel disease.
- 2021
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In: Cellular and molecular gastroenterology and hepatology. - : American Gastroenterological Association. - 2352-345X. ; 12:2, s. 665-687
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- BACKGROUND AND AIMS: The pathophysiology of the inflammatory bowel disease collagenous colitis (CC) is poorly described. Our aim was to use RNA sequencing of mucosal samples from patients with active CC, CC in remission, refractory CC, ulcerative colitis (UC), and controls to gain insight into CC pathophysiology, identify genetic signatures linked to CC, and uncover potentially druggable disease pathways.METHODS: We performed whole transcriptome sequencing of CC samples from patients before and during treatment with the corticosteroid drug budesonide, CC steroid-refractory patients, UC patients, and healthy controls (n=9-13). Bulk mucosa and laser-captured microdissected intestinal epithelial cell (IEC) gene expression were analyzed by gene-set enrichment and gene-set variation analyses to identify significant pathways and cells, respectively, altered in CC. Leading genes and cells were validated using reverse transcription quantitative PCR and/or immunohistochemistry.RESULTS: We identified an activation of the adaptive immune response to bacteria and viruses in active CC that could be mediated by dendritic cells. Moreover, IECs display hyperproliferation and increased antigen presentation in active CC. Further analysis revealed that genes related to the immune response (DUOX2, PLA2G2A, CXCL9), DNA transcription (CTR9), protein processing (JOSD1, URI1) and ion transport (SLC9A3) remained dysregulated even after budesonide-induced remission. Budesonide-refractory CC patients fail to restore normal gene expression, and displayed a transcriptomic profile close to UC.CONCLUSIONS: Our study confirmed the implication of innate and adaptive immune responses in CC, governed by IECs and dendritic cells, respectively; and identified ongoing epithelial damage. Refractory CC could share pathomechanisms with UC.
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