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Objective To investigate the effect of intestinal Metrnl on dextran sodium sulfate (DSS)-induced ulcerative colitis mouse model and the regulation mechanism of intestinal microbiota. Methods Different concentrations of DSS (3% DSS and 1% DSS) were used to induce ulcerative colitis on C57 mice to determine the experimental conditions. Intestinal epithelial Metrnl specific knockout mice (Metrnl(-/-)) and its control mice (Metrnl(+/+)) were administrated with 3% DSS for 5 d. Then the survival time, body weight, DAI (disease activity index), colon length and pathological changes in colon tissues were observed. 16S ribosomal RNA gene sequencing was used to detect the composition of intestinal microbiota. Results Compared with 1% DSS, 3% DSS could significantly aggravate ulcerative colitis on C57 mice, such as lower survival rate (P<0.05), more weight loss (P<0.05), higher DAI score (P<0.05), shorter colon length (P<0.05) and higher pathology score (P<0.05). After administrated to 3% DSS for 5 d, comparing with Metrnl(+/+) mice, Metrnl(-/-) mice showed more weight loss (P<0.05), higher DAI score (P<0.05), shorter colon length (P<0.05) and higher pathology score (P<0.05). The 16S ribosomal RNA results showed that the diversity of intestinal microbiota in Metrnl(-/-) mice significantly decreased. Furthermore, Bacteroidetes and Proteobacteria significantly decreased, while Firmicutes increased. Conclusion Metrnl could protect the DSS-induced ulcerative colitis mouse through regulating intestinal microbiota.
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METRNL is a recently identified secreted protein with emerging functions. This study is to find major cellular source of circulating METRNL and to determine METRNL novel function. Here, we show METRNL is abundant in human and mouse vascular endothelium and released by endothelial cells using endoplasmic reticulum-Golgi apparatus pathway. By creating endothelial cell-specific Metrnl knockout mice, combined with bone marrow transplantation to produce bone marrow-specific deletion of Metrnl, we demonstrate that most of circulating METRNL (approximately 75%) originates from the endothelial cells. Both endothelial and circulating METRNL decrease in atherosclerosis mice and patients. By generating endothelial cell-specific Metrnl knockout in apolipoprotein E-deficient mice, combined with bone marrow-specific deletion of Metrnl in apolipoprotein E-deficient mice, we further demonstrate that endothelial METRNL deficiency accelerates atherosclerosis. Mechanically, endothelial METRNL deficiency causes vascular endothelial dysfunction including vasodilation impairment via reducing eNOS phosphorylation at Ser1177 and inflammation activation via enhancing NFκB pathway, which promotes the susceptibility of atherosclerosis. Exogenous METRNL rescues METRNL deficiency induced endothelial dysfunction. These findings reveal that METRNL is a new endothelial substance not only determining the circulating METRNL level but also regulating endothelial function for vascular health and disease. METRNL is a therapeutic target against endothelial dysfunction and atherosclerosis.
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Objective To prepare monoclonal antibodies (mAb) against mouse Metrnl and identify its specificity . Methods Mouse Metrnl polypeptide fragments and full-length protein were prepared as antigens to immunize mice .Then mice spleen cells were fused with SP2/0 myeloma cells to obtain hybridoma cells which were screened for positive clone in order to subclone for stable cell lines .After ascites were prepared ,ELISA method was used to detect the antibodies titer .Western blot method was applied to identify their specificity .Results No effective antibodies were identified from the ascites derived from 14 polypeptide antigens .Among the 25 antibodies derived from the full-length protein ,12 monoclonal antibodies can be used to identify the recombinant Metrnl protein .Conclusion 12 monoclonal antibodies were successfully prepared to identify mouse Metrnl protein .