Targeting of the Tec Kinase ITK Drives Resolution of T Cell-Mediated Colitis and Emerges as Potential Therapeutic Option in Ulcerative Colitis

Copyright © 2021 AGA Institute. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved..

BACKGROUND & AIMS: The molecular checkpoints driving T cell activation and cytokine responses in ulcerative colitis (UC) are incompletely understood. Here, we studied the Tec kinase ITK in UC.

METHODS: We analyzed patients with inflammatory bowel disease (n = 223) and evaluated ITK activity as well as the functional effects of cyclosporine-A (CsA). In addition, 3 independent murine colitis models were used to investigate the functional role of ITK. Finally, the activity of ITK was blocked via pharmacological inhibitors and genetically engineered mice. Readout parameters were mini-endoscopy, histopathology, mucosal T cell apoptosis, and cytokine production.

RESULTS: We found an expansion of pITK-expressing mucosal CD4+ T cells in UC rather than Crohn's disease that correlated with disease severity. CsA suppressed activation of ITK in cultured CD4+ T cells and calcineurin-containing microclusters adjacent to the T cell receptor signaling complex. Functionally, the capacity of CsA to suppress activity of experimental colitis was critically dependent on ITK. Genetic inactivation of Itk via gene targeting or induction of allele-sensitive Itk mutants prevented experimental colitis in 3 colitis models, and treatment with pharmacological ITK blockers suppressed established colitis. In addition, ITK controlled apoptosis and activation of mucosal Th2 and Th17 lymphocytes via NFATc2 signaling pathways.

CONCLUSIONS: ITK activation was detected in UC and could be down-regulated in cultured T cells by CsA administration. Selective targeting of ITK emerges as an attractive approach for treatment of chronic intestinal inflammation and potentially UC by driving resolution of mucosal inflammation.

Medienart:

E-Artikel

Erscheinungsjahr:

2021

Erschienen:

2021

Enthalten in:

Zur Gesamtaufnahme - volume:161

Enthalten in:

Gastroenterology - 161(2021), 4 vom: 10. Okt., Seite 1270-1287.e19

Sprache:

Englisch

Beteiligte Personen:

Lechner, Kristina [VerfasserIn]
Mott, Stefanie [VerfasserIn]
Al-Saifi, Ragheed [VerfasserIn]
Knipfer, Lisa [VerfasserIn]
Wirtz, Stefan [VerfasserIn]
Atreya, Raja [VerfasserIn]
Vieth, Michael [VerfasserIn]
Rath, Timo [VerfasserIn]
Fraass, Tina [VerfasserIn]
Winter, Zoltan [VerfasserIn]
August, Avery [VerfasserIn]
Luban, Jeremy [VerfasserIn]
Zimmermann, Valérie S [VerfasserIn]
Weigmann, Benno [VerfasserIn]
Neurath, Markus F [VerfasserIn]

Links:

Volltext

Themen:

83HN0GTJ6D
Anti-Inflammatory Agents
Cyclosporine
Cyclosporine A
Cytokines
EC 2.7.10.1
EC 2.7.10.2
Emt protein-tyrosine kinase
IBD
ITK
Journal Article
Protein Kinase Inhibitors
Protein-Tyrosine Kinases
Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
Therapeutic Strategies

Anmerkungen:

Date Completed 17.01.2022

Date Revised 26.02.2024

published: Print-Electronic

Citation Status MEDLINE

doi:

10.1053/j.gastro.2021.06.072

funding:

Förderinstitution / Projekttitel:

PPN (Katalog-ID):

NLM327713410