Evaluation of expression of annexin A1 and NLRP3 inflammasome in ulcerative colitis and Crohn's Disease

Abstract

Annexin A1 (ANXA1) is an anti-inflammatory and pro-resolving protein in the inflammatory response by controlling the migration of leukocytes, release of pro-inflammatory cytokines, and phagocytosis by macrophages. In addition, ANXA1 regulates the activation of the NLRP3 inflammasome in inflammatory cells, but this relationship has not been explored in cells related to inflammatory bowel disease. Thus, this study will investigate the expression patterns of mRNA and proteins ANXA1 and NLRP3 inflammasome in intestinal biopsies from patients with ulcerative colitis and Crohn's Disease. In biopsies of intestines affected by one of the diseases or controls, we will analyze: I) histopathology of the samples through hematoxylin-eosin stain; II) quantification of inflammatory cells; iii) localization and possible alteration in the ANXA1 and NLRP3 expression through immunohistochemistry, and III) possible co-localization of ANXA1 and NLRP3 by immunofluorescence. In publicly available transcriptomes from the Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO) repository, we will assess transcriptional levels of ANXA1 and NLRP3 using bowel studies from Crohn's Disease, ulcerative colitis, and controls patients. The results will contribute to a better understanding of the role of ANXA1 and NLRP3 in inflammatory bowel diseases, as well as possible therapeutic targets for inflammatory bowel processes.(AU)