{"title":"Inhibition of EZH2 Reduces Aging-Related Decline in Interstitial Cells of Cajal of the Mouse Stomach","authors":"","doi":"10.1016/j.jcmgh.2024.101376","DOIUrl":null,"url":null,"abstract":"<div><h3>Background & Aims</h3><p>Restricted gastric motor functions contribute to aging-associated undernutrition, sarcopenia, and frailty. We previously identified a decline in interstitial cells of Cajal (ICC; gastrointestinal pacemaker and neuromodulator cells) and their stem cells (ICC-SC) as a key factor of gastric aging. Altered functionality of the histone methyltransferase enhancer of <em>zeste</em> homolog 2 (EZH2) is central to organismal aging. Here, we investigated the role of EZH2 in the aging-related loss of ICC/ICC-SC.</p></div><div><h3>Methods</h3><p><em>klotho</em> mice, a model of accelerated aging, were treated with the most clinically advanced EZH2 inhibitor, EPZ6438 (tazemetostat; 160 mg/kg intraperitoneally twice a day for 3 weeks). Gastric ICC were analyzed by Western blotting and immunohistochemistry. ICC and ICC-SC were quantified by flow cytometry. Gastric slow wave activity was assessed by intracellular electrophysiology. <em>Ezh2</em> was deactivated in ICC by treating <em>Kit</em><sup><em>creERT2/+</em></sup>;<em>Ezh2</em><sup><em>fl/fl</em></sup> mice with tamoxifen. TRP53, a key mediator of aging-related ICC loss, was induced with nutlin 3a in gastric muscle organotypic cultures and an ICC-SC line.</p></div><div><h3>Results</h3><p>In <em>klotho</em> mice, EPZ6438 treatment mitigated the decline in the ICC growth factor KIT ligand/stem cell factor and gastric ICC. EPZ6438 also improved gastric slow wave activity and mitigated the reduced food intake and impaired body weight gain characteristic of this strain. Conditional genomic deletion of <em>Ezh2</em> in <em>Kit</em>-expressing cells also prevented ICC loss. In organotypic cultures and ICC-SC, EZH2 inhibition prevented the aging-like effects of TRP53 stabilization on ICC/ICC-SC.</p></div><div><h3>Conclusions</h3><p>Inhibition of EZH2 with EPZ6438 mitigates aging-related ICC/ICC-SC loss and gastric motor dysfunction, improving slow wave activity and food intake in <em>klotho</em> mice.</p></div>","PeriodicalId":55974,"journal":{"name":"Cellular and Molecular Gastroenterology and Hepatology","volume":null,"pages":null},"PeriodicalIF":7.1000,"publicationDate":"2024-01-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2352345X24001310/pdfft?md5=ffd2dc0ca50ac16f3993efb0990bbb5a&pid=1-s2.0-S2352345X24001310-main.pdf","citationCount":"0","resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":null,"PeriodicalName":"Cellular and Molecular Gastroenterology and Hepatology","FirstCategoryId":"3","ListUrlMain":"https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2352345X24001310","RegionNum":1,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":null,"EPubDate":"","PubModel":"","JCR":"Q1","JCRName":"GASTROENTEROLOGY & HEPATOLOGY","Score":null,"Total":0}
引用次数: 0
Abstract
Background & Aims
Restricted gastric motor functions contribute to aging-associated undernutrition, sarcopenia, and frailty. We previously identified a decline in interstitial cells of Cajal (ICC; gastrointestinal pacemaker and neuromodulator cells) and their stem cells (ICC-SC) as a key factor of gastric aging. Altered functionality of the histone methyltransferase enhancer of zeste homolog 2 (EZH2) is central to organismal aging. Here, we investigated the role of EZH2 in the aging-related loss of ICC/ICC-SC.
Methods
klotho mice, a model of accelerated aging, were treated with the most clinically advanced EZH2 inhibitor, EPZ6438 (tazemetostat; 160 mg/kg intraperitoneally twice a day for 3 weeks). Gastric ICC were analyzed by Western blotting and immunohistochemistry. ICC and ICC-SC were quantified by flow cytometry. Gastric slow wave activity was assessed by intracellular electrophysiology. Ezh2 was deactivated in ICC by treating KitcreERT2/+;Ezh2fl/fl mice with tamoxifen. TRP53, a key mediator of aging-related ICC loss, was induced with nutlin 3a in gastric muscle organotypic cultures and an ICC-SC line.
Results
In klotho mice, EPZ6438 treatment mitigated the decline in the ICC growth factor KIT ligand/stem cell factor and gastric ICC. EPZ6438 also improved gastric slow wave activity and mitigated the reduced food intake and impaired body weight gain characteristic of this strain. Conditional genomic deletion of Ezh2 in Kit-expressing cells also prevented ICC loss. In organotypic cultures and ICC-SC, EZH2 inhibition prevented the aging-like effects of TRP53 stabilization on ICC/ICC-SC.
Conclusions
Inhibition of EZH2 with EPZ6438 mitigates aging-related ICC/ICC-SC loss and gastric motor dysfunction, improving slow wave activity and food intake in klotho mice.
期刊介绍:
"Cell and Molecular Gastroenterology and Hepatology (CMGH)" is a journal dedicated to advancing the understanding of digestive biology through impactful research that spans the spectrum of normal gastrointestinal, hepatic, and pancreatic functions, as well as their pathologies. The journal's mission is to publish high-quality, hypothesis-driven studies that offer mechanistic novelty and are methodologically robust, covering a wide range of themes in gastroenterology, hepatology, and pancreatology.
CMGH reports on the latest scientific advances in cell biology, immunology, physiology, microbiology, genetics, and neurobiology related to gastrointestinal, hepatobiliary, and pancreatic health and disease. The research published in CMGH is designed to address significant questions in the field, utilizing a variety of experimental approaches, including in vitro models, patient-derived tissues or cells, and animal models. This multifaceted approach enables the journal to contribute to both fundamental discoveries and their translation into clinical applications, ultimately aiming to improve patient care and treatment outcomes in digestive health.