Functional characterization of oxazolone-induced colitis and survival improvement by vagus nerve stimulation

• DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0197487
• Publication Date: 2018-05-23T13:42:52Z
• Authors: Elisa Meroni; Nathalie Stakenborg; Pedro J. Gomez-Pi...; Gert De Hertogh; Gera Goverse; Gianluca Matteoli; Simon Verheijden; Guy E. Boeckxstaens
• Keywords: Oxazolone; Vagus Nerve Stimulation; CXCL1

Oxazolone-induced colitis has been frequently used in literature as a model of IBD, but insights into the underlying immune response and pathological features are surprisingly still very limited. Vagus nerve stimulation (VNS) proven to be effective innate Th1/Th17 predominant inflammatory models, including pre-clinical models colitis, however what extent VNS is also ameliorating Th2-driven remains studied. In present study, we therefore further characterized oxazolone-induced investigated potential therapeutic effect VNS.Colitis was induced Balb/c mice by cutaneous sensitization with 3% oxazolone followed intracolonic administration 1% 7 days later. To evaluate on development sham-treated were challenged oxazolone.Intracolonic resulted severe destruction colonic mucosa rapid drop body temperature leading 65% mortality rate at day 5. Severe infiltration neutrophils monocytes detected 6h after which associated Th2-type response. significantly improved survival correlated decreased levels HMGB1 reduced (il6 cxcl1 mRNA) serum cytokine (IL-6, TNFα CXCL1) compared sham treated mice.Oxazolone-induced rather represents sepsis and, best, may resemble type ulcerative early mucosal damage high rate. reduces inflammation improves this model, supporting anti-inflammatory properties VNS, even an aggressive colitis.