Zinc inhibits lethal inflammatory shock by preventing microbe-induced interferon signature in intestinal epithelium

The cytokineTNFdrives inflammatory diseases, e.g., Crohn's disease. In a mouse model ofTNF-induced systemic inflammatory response syndrome (SIRS), severe impact on intestinal epithelial cells (IECs) is observed. Zinc confers complete protection in this model. We found that zinc no longer protects in animals which lack glucocorticoids (GCs), or express mutant versions of their receptorGRinIECs, nor in mice which lack gut microbiota.RNA-seq studies inIECs showed that zinc caused reduction in expression of constitutive (STAT1-induced) interferon-stimulated response (ISRE) genes and interferon regulatory factor (IRF) genes. Since some of these genes are involved inTNF-induced cell death in intestinal crypt Paneth cells, and since zinc has direct effects on the composition of the gut microbiota (such as severalStaphylococcusspecies) and onTNF-induced Paneth cell death, we postulate a new zinc-related anti-inflammatory mechanism. Zinc modulates the gut microbiota, causing less induction ofISRE/IRFgenes in crypt cells, lessTNF-induced necroptosis in Paneth cells, and less fatal evasion of gut bacteria into the system.

Jaar van publicatie:2020

Toegankelijkheid:Open