Abstract
Background and Aims: Widespread dysregulation of long non-coding RNAs [lncRNAs] including a reduction in GATA6-AS1 was noted in inflammatory bowel disease [IBD]. We previously reported a prominent inhibition of epithelial mitochondrial functions in ulcerative colitis [UC]. However, the connection between reduction of GATA6-AS1 expression and attenuated epithelial mitochondrial functions was not defined. Methods: Mucosal transcriptomics was used to conform GATA6-AS1 reduction in several treatment-naïve independent human cohorts [n=673]. RNA pull-down followed by mass spectrometry was used to determine the GATA6-AS1 interactome. Metabolomics and mitochondrial respiration following GATA6-AS1 silencing in Caco-2 cells were used to elaborate on GATA6-AS1 functions. Results: GATA6-AS1 showed predominant expression in gut epithelia using single cell datasets. GATA6-AS1 levels were reduced in Crohn's disease [CD] ileum and UC rectum in independent cohorts. Reduced GATA6-AS1 lncRNA was further linked to a more severe UC form, and to a less favourable UC course. The GATA6-AS1 interactome showed robust enrichment for mitochondrial proteins, and included TGM2, an autoantigen in coeliac disease that is induced in UC, CD and coeliac disease, in contrast to GATA6-AS1 reduction in these cohorts. GATA6-AS1 silencing resulted in induction of TGM2, and this was coupled with a reduction in mitochondrial membrane potential and mitochondrial respiration, as well as in a reduction of metabolites linked to aerobic respiration relevant to mucosal inflammation. TGM2 knockdown in GATA6-AS1-deficient cells rescued mitochondrial respiration. Conclusions: GATA6-AS1 levels are reduced in UC, CD and coeliac disease, and in more severe UC forms. We highlight GATA6-AS1 as a target regulating epithelial mitochondrial functions, potentially through controlling TGM2 levels.
Original language | English |
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Pages (from-to) | 960-971 |
Number of pages | 12 |
Journal | Journal of Crohn's and Colitis |
Volume | 17 |
Issue number | 6 |
DOIs | |
State | Published - 16 Jun 2023 |
Externally published | Yes |
Bibliographical note
Publisher Copyright:© 2023 The Author(s). Published by Oxford University Press on behalf of European Crohn's and Colitis Organisation.
Funding
This work was supported by the ERC starting grant [YH, grant No. 758313], the Israel Science Foundation [YH, grant No. 908/15], the I-CORE programme [YH, grant No. 41/11], the Helmsley Charitable Trust, and NIDDK P30 DK078392 [Integrative Morphology and Gene Expression Cores]. PROTECT was supported by the NIDDK 5U01DK095745, RISK was supported by Crohn’s & Colitis Foundation, SEEM by the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation [OPP1144149 and OPP1138727], and SOURCE is supported by the Helmsley Charitable Trust. The funding sources did not play a role in writing of the manuscript or the decision to submit it for publication, did not play a role in data collection, analysis or interpretation; trial design; patient recruitment; or any aspect pertinent to the study.
Funders | Funder number |
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I-CORE programme | 41/11 |
SEEM | |
Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation | OPP1144149, OPP1138727 |
Leona M. and Harry B. Helmsley Charitable Trust | P30 DK078392, 5U01DK095745 |
Crohn's and Colitis Foundation | |
European Commission | 758313 |
Israel Science Foundation | 908/15 |
Keywords
- GATA6-AS1 long non-coding RNA
- inflammatory bowel disease
- mitochondria