Attenuated innate immune responses to the intestinal microbiota have been linked to the pathogenesis of Crohn’s disease (CD). Recent genetic studies have revealed that hypofunctional mutations of NLRP3, a member of the NOD-like receptor (NLR) superfamily, are associated with an increased risk of developing CD. NLRP3 is a key component of the inflammasome, an intracellular danger sensor of the innate immune system. When activated, the inflammasome triggers caspase-1-dependent processing of inflammatory mediators, such as IL-1β and IL-18. In the current study we sought to assess the role of the NLRP3 inflammasome in the maintenance of intestinal homeostasis through its regulation of innate protective processes. To investigate this role, Nlrp3−/− and wild-type (WT) mice were assessed in the DSS- and TNBS-models of experimental colitis. Nlrp3−/− mice were found to be more susceptible to experimental colitis, an observation that was associated with reduced IL-1β reduced anti-inflammatory cytokine IL-10, and reduced protective growth factor TGF-β. Macrophages isolated from Nlrp3−/− mice failed to respond to bacterial muramyl dipeptide. Furthermore, Nlrp3-deficient neutrophils exhibited reduced chemotaxis and enhanced spontaneous apoptosis, but no change in oxidative burst. Lastly, Nlrp3−/− mice displayed altered colonic β-defensin expression, reduced colonic antimicrobial secretions and a unique intestinal microbiota. Our data confirm an essential role for the NLRP3 inflammasome in the regulation of intestinal homeostasis and provide biological insight into disease mechanisms associated with increased risk of CD in individuals with NLRP3 mutations.

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Background-Studies using inhibitors of nitric oxide synthase (NOS) to date are inconclusive regarding the role of inducible NOS (iNOS) in intestinal inflammation. Aims-(1) To examine the role of iNOS in the development of chronic intestinal inflammation; (2) to identify the cellular source(s) of iNOS. Methods-Colitis was induced by an intrarectal instillation of trinitrobenzene sulphonic acid (TNBS, 60 mg/ml, 30% ethanol), in wild type (control) or iNOS deficient mice. Mice were studied over 14 days; the colons were scored for injury and granulocyte infiltration was quantified. Blood to lumen leakage of 51 Cr-EDTA was measured as a quantitative index of mucosal damage. Results-At 24 and 72 hours, iNOS deficient mice had significantly increased macroscopic inflammation compared with wild type mice. Granulocyte infiltration increased significantly at 24 hours and remained elevated in iNOS deficient mice at 72 hours, but significantly decreased in controls. However, by seven days post-TNBS macroscopic damage, microscopic histology, granulocyte infiltration, and mucosal permeability did not diVer between wild type and iNOS deficient mice. A four-to fivefold increase in iNOS mRNA was observed in wild type mice at 72 hours and seven days post-TNBS and was absent in iNOS deficient mice. Immunohistochemistry techniques showed that iNOS expression was predominantly localised in neutrophils, with some staining also in macrophages. Conclusions-These results suggest that leucocyte derived iNOS ameliorates the early phase, but does not impact on the chronic phase of TNBS induced colitis despite the presence of iNOS. (Gut 1999;45:864-873)

Background Cannabinoids are known to reduce intestinal inflammation. Atypical cannabinoids produce pharmacological effects via unidentified targets. We were interested whether the atypical cannabinoid O-1602, reportedly an agonist of the putative cannabinoid receptor GPR55, reduces disease severity of dextran sulfate sodium (DSS) and trinitrobenzene sulfonic acid (TNBS)-induced colitis in C57BL/6N and CD1 mice. Methods DSS (2.5% and 4%) was supplied in drinking water for one week while TNBS (4 mg) was applied as a single intrarectal bolus. Results Both treatments caused severe colitis. Injection of O-1602 (5 mg/kg i.p.) significantly reduced macroscopic and histological colitis scores, and myeloperoxidase activity. The protective effect was still present in cannabinoid receptor 1 (CB1) and 2 (CB2) double knockout mice and mice lacking the GPR55 gene. To investigate a potential mechanism underlying the protection by O-1602 we performed neutrophil chemotactic assays. O-1602 concentration-dependently inhibited migration of murine neutrophils to keratinocyte-derived chemokine (KC), N-formyl-methionyl-leucyl-phenylalanine (fMLP) and the N-formyl-peptide receptor ligand WKYMVm. The inhibitory effect of O-1602 was preserved in neutrophils from CB1/CB2 double knockout and GPR55 knockout mice. No differences were seen in locomotor activity between O-1602-treated and control mice indicating lack of central sedation by this compound. Conclusions Our data demonstrate that O-1602 is protective against experimentally induced colitis and inhibits neutrophil recruitment independently of CB1, CB2 and GPR55 receptors. Thus, atypical cannabinoids represent a novel class of therapeutics that may be useful for the treatment of inflammatory bowel diseases.

We assessed the effects of primary afferent nerve ablation (systemic treatment with capsaicin during adult or neonatal periods), primary afferent nerve activation (intracolonic capsaicin), and sympathectomy [6-hydroxydopamine (6-OHDA)] on the development of colitis induced by 2,4,6-trinitrobenzenesulfonic acid (TNBS) in rats. We also examined whether lidocaine was effective after ablation of primary afferent nerves or sympathectomy. Colitis was assessed by macroscopic scoring, measurement of myeloperoxidase (MPO) activity, and histology. Systemic capsaicin treatment in adults increased the macroscopic damage score. Capsaicin treatment of neonates did not significantly increase damage score or MPO activity compared with vehicle-treated controls. However, all capsaicin-treated groups had a higher mortality. Intracolonic capsaicin treatment did not alter the severity of colitis. Chemical sympathectomy resulted in a decreased damage score and improved histology compared with controls. In 6-OHDA pretreated rats, lidocaine administration reduced the macroscopic and histological scores and MPO activity almost to control levels. However, lidocaine administration in capsaicin-treated rats attenuated the macroscopic damage but did not improve MPO activity or histology. These data suggest that capsaicin-sensitive nerves play a protective role in experimental colitis and sympathetic nerves contribute to the development of colitis. The beneficial effects of lidocaine appear to be due primarily to its action on enteric nerves.