Microenvironmental TFPI2 in Hirschsprung disease: Mechanisms in ENCC development

Background

Hirschsprung disease (HSCR) is a relatively common disorder in pediatric surgery, characterized by the absence of enteric ganglion cells due to defective colonization of enteric neural crest cells (ENCCs) in the intestine. This study aims to investigate alterations in the intestinal microenvironment, focusing on the tissue factor pathway inhibitor 2 (TFPI2) as a potential pathogenic factor.

Methods

Transcriptomic datasets from HSCR patients and fetal mouse intestines were analyzed to identify candidate genes. TFPI2 expression was validated by qRT-PCR, immunohistochemistry, and Western blotting. Recombinant TFPI2 protein was applied to ENCC cultures to evaluate its effects on proliferation, apoptosis, and migration, using CCK-8, EdU, flow cytometry, Western blotting, and real-time cell observation. KEGG and GSEA analyses of transcriptomic data were conducted to explore potential mechanisms, and functional rescue was assessed using the PI3K-AKT pathway agonist IGF-1.

Results

TFPI2 was identified as a novel microenvironmental factor associated with HSCR. Its expression was significantly elevated in the aganglionic segments of HSCR patients and in the intestines of E14.5 fetal mice. TFPI2 inhibited ENCC proliferation and migration while promoting apoptosis, likely via downregulation of the PI3K-AKT signaling pathway. IGF-1 partially rescued TFPI2-induced effects on proliferation, migration, and apoptosis.

Conclusion

This study identifies TFPI2 as a novel microenvironmental factor contributing to ENCC dysfunction in HSCR by inhibiting the PI3K-AKT signaling pathway. These findings provide new insights into the pathogenesis of HSCR and suggest that TFPI2 could be a potential therapeutic target.