The Bile Acids Specifically Modulate Colonic MUC2 and Tight Junction Protein Expression in the Human Colon Cancer Cell Line

Alterations to mucin secretion and epithelial tight junctions can compromise the ability of the epithelium to act as a barrier for the host to prevent pathogenic attack. Bile acids are synthesized in hepatocytes and released into the intestine, further modified by gut bacteria. Although many studies have investigated the changes of intestinal bile acids in the pathogenesis of various immune disorders, there are few reports about its function in preventing or interventing the dysfunction of the intestinal barrier. In this study, we sought to investigate the effects of the colonic bile acids on MUC2 and tight junction protein expression, which are crucial to colonic barrier. Regulation of MUC2 and tight junction protein expression was assayed in the human colon cancer LS174T and T84 cells. The cells were treated with deoxycholic acid (DCA), lithocholic acid (LCA), 3-oxo-DCA, 3-oxo-LCA, isoDCA and isoLCA (100 μM or 200 μM), respectively. Proliferation of the cells was investigated with the MTT assay. mRNA expression of MUC2, ZO-1, occludin, claudin1 were measured by RT-PCR. Nuclear bile acid receptor FXR and TGR5, toll-like receptors and TLR adaptor MyD88, and genes (CDX2, AGR2, MyD88) related to mucin synthesis and secretion were also measured. In comparison with the untreated control, DCA, 3-oxo-DCA, isoDCA and isoLCA (100 μM) significantly upregulated the ZO-1, occludin and bile acid receptor FXR gene expression in the T84 cell. LCA, 3-oxo-LCA and isoLCA upregulated MUC2 expression at 200 μM, but showed no significant effect at 100 μM. DCA only significantly upregulated MUC2 expression at 200 μM, but isoDCA upregulated MUC2 expression independent of concentration in the LS174T cell. The expression of CDX2, AGR2, MyD88 was consistent with MUC2. Bile acids at various concentrations specifically modulate MUC2 and tight junction protein expression, and thereby alter the colonic barrier function. This regulatory effect of bile acids could be mediated by activating bile acid receptors FXR. This work was financially supported by Ministry of Science and Technology of China (10000 Talent Project).