Environmental chemicals that influence gastrointestinal inflammation: Research | Health - Hindustan Times
close_game
close_game

Environmental chemicals that influence gastrointestinal inflammation: Research

ANI | | Posted by Tapatrisha Das, Boston (massachusetts)
Oct 20, 2022 11:35 AM IST

In subsequent cell-culture, zebrafish and mouse studies, the researchers demonstrated that propyzamide interferes with the aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AHR), a transcription factor which Quintana first reported in 2008 to be involved in immune regulation.

In industrialised countries, inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), a condition characterised by chronic gastrointestinal inflammation, is becoming more common. While researchers have identified approximately 200 genetic tags linked to the disease, there is still a lack of understanding of the specific environmental factors that influence the risk and severity of IBD.

Environmental chemicals that influence gastrointestinal inflammation: Research(Twitter/Gastro_meet)
Environmental chemicals that influence gastrointestinal inflammation: Research(Twitter/Gastro_meet)

A new study led by Brigham and Women's Hospital, a founding member of the Mass General Brigham healthcare system, uses multiple research platforms to identify environmental chemical agents that influence gastrointestinal inflammation.

Hindustan Times - your fastest source for breaking news! Read now.

ALSO READ: Gastrointestinal tract disorders and their causes that you should watch out for

Their findings, published in Nature, identify a common herbicide, propyzamide, that may boost inflammation in the small and large intestine.

"Environmental factors are known to be just as important as genetic factors in influencing autoimmune and inflammatory disease, yet we lack a method or platform to systematically identify the effect of chemical candidates on inflammation," said corresponding author Francisco Quintana, PhD, an investigator in the Brigham's Ann Romney Center for Neurologic Diseases, whose lab has previously investigated environmental determinants of neurodegeneration. "Our methodology allowed us to identify a chemical that disrupts one of the body's natural 'brakes' on inflammation. This method can identify new chemical candidates for epidemiological studies, as well as novel mechanisms that regulate autoimmune responses. In addition, this platform can also be used to screen and design for therapeutic anti-inflammatory drugs.

The researchers conducted their work by integrating IBD genetics databases with a large Environmental Protection Agency database, ToxCast, which includes biochemical data on consumer, industrial, and agricultural products. They identified chemicals predicted to modulate inflammatory pathways and then used a novel zebrafish IBD model to test these compounds and determine whether they improve, worsen, or did not affect gut inflammation. Next, the researchers used a machine learning algorithm trained on the studied compounds to identify additional chemicals in the ToxCast database likely to promote inflammation. Out of the top 20 candidates, 11 of which are used in agriculture, the researchers chose to further examine propyzamide, which is commonly applied to sports fields and fruit and vegetable crops to control weeds.

In subsequent cell-culture, zebrafish and mouse studies, the researchers demonstrated that propyzamide interferes with the aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AHR), a transcription factor which Quintana first reported in 2008 to be involved in immune regulation. In this study, the researchers found that AHR maintains gut homeostasis by suppressing a second, pro-inflammatory pathway (the NF-kB-C/EBPb-driven response). C/EBPb was previously demonstrated to be genetically linked with IBD, but this study outlines the specific mechanism by which the genetic biomarker leads to increased intestinal inflammation.

The researchers are currently working to engineer nanoparticles and probiotics that can target the inflammatory pathway they have identified. Notably, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration recently approved a topical cream for psoriasis, called tapinarof, which functions by activating the anti-inflammatory AHR pathway, raising the possibility that a similar drug for IBD may be able to be developed by taking advantage of this mechanism. The activation of the AHR pathway may also be relevant for the treatment of other autoimmune diseases like multiple sclerosis and type 1 diabetes, which are mediated by similar immune cells (T-cells) driven by the pro-inflammatory NF-kB-C/EBPb response.

"The anti-inflammatory AHR pathway we identified could be strengthened to ameliorate disease, and, further down the road, we could also investigate additional ways to deactivate the pro-inflammatory NF-kB-C/EBPb response," Quintana said. "As we learn more about the environmental factors that might contribute to disease, we can develop state- and national-level strategies to limit exposures. Some chemicals don't seem to be toxic when tested under basic conditions, but we do not yet know about the effect of chronic, low-level exposures over decades, or early-on in development."

Oscars 2024: From Nominees to Red Carpet Glam! Get Exclusive Coverage on HT. Click Here

Catch your daily dose of Fashion, Health, Festivals, Travel, Relationship, Recipe and all the other Latest Lifestyle News on Hindustan Times Website and APPs
This story has been published from a wire agency feed without modifications to the text. Only the headline has been changed.
SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON
Share this article
SHARE
Story Saved
Live Score
OPEN APP
Saved Articles
Following
My Reads
Sign out
New Delhi 0C
Thursday, March 28, 2024
Start 14 Days Free Trial Subscribe Now
Follow Us On