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Abstract
Methotrexate (MTX)-induced intestinal mucositis limits the use of the drug. We previously reported that MTX-dependent production of reactive oxygen species is an initiating signal leading to neutrophil migration and intestinal barrier dysfunction. Moreover, alterations of zonula occludens (ZO)-1, an integral component of tight junctions (TJs), contribute to its dysfunction. This study aimed to clarify the identity of inflammatory mediators in the intestine of MTX-treated rats and to evaluate MTX-stimulated alterations in the expression of TJ proteins other than ZO-1 (e.g., occludin and claudins).
Male Wistar rats were administrated MTX (15 mg kg^sup -1^) orally once daily for 4 days. Tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-[alpha], interleukin (IL)-1[beta], macrophage inflammatory protein (MIP)-2, cytokine-induced neutrophil chemoattractant-2, Toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4), and occludin were determined by real-time RT-PCR. Expression, distribution, and interactions of TJ proteins were evaluated by Western blotting, immunohistochemistry, and immunoprecipitation.
MTX increased the mRNA levels of TNF-[alpha], IL-1[beta], MIP-2, and TLR4 in the small intestine, as well as the protein expression of claudin-2. Increased claudin-2 and decreased claudin-4 immunostaining were also observed. Occludin mRNA levels were significantly diminished by MTX administration, whereas occludin protein levels and the interaction between ZO-1 and occludin were unaltered; however, the interaction between ZO-1 and claudin-4 was significantly compromised.
These results indicate that elevated levels of inflammatory cytokines and chemokines in the small intestine of MTX-treated rats may contribute to the inhibition of ZO-1/claudin-4 binding, and that inhibition of ZO-1/claudin-4 binding may in turn lead to a reduction in claudin-4 expression.[PUBLICATION ABSTRACT]