Michael J Rosen, MD, MSCI

All Publications

• Large language models outperform traditional natural language processing methods in extracting patient-reported outcomes in IBD. medRxiv : the preprint server for health sciences Patel, P. V., Davis, C., Ralbovsky, A., Tinoco, D., Williams, C. Y., Slatter, S., Naderalvojoud, B., Rosen, M. J., Hernandez-Boussard, T., Rudrapatna, V. 2024

  Abstract

  Patient-reported outcomes (PROs) are vital in assessing disease activity and treatment outcomes in inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). However, manual extraction of these PROs from the free-text of clinical notes is burdensome. We aimed to improve data curation from free-text information in the electronic health record, making it more available for research and quality improvement. This study aimed to compare traditional natural language processing (tNLP) and large language models (LLMs) in extracting three IBD PROs (abdominal pain, diarrhea, fecal blood) from clinical notes across two institutions.Clinic notes were annotated for each PRO using preset protocols. Models were developed and internally tested at the University of California San Francisco (UCSF), and then externally validated at Stanford University. We compared tNLP and LLM-based models on accuracy, sensitivity, specificity, positive and negative predictive value. Additionally, we conducted fairness and error assessments.Inter-rater reliability between annotators was >90%. On the UCSF test set (n=50), the top-performing tNLP models showcased accuracies of 92% (abdominal pain), 82% (diarrhea) and 80% (fecal blood), comparable to GPT-4, which was 96%, 88%, and 90% accurate, respectively. On external validation at Stanford (n=250), tNLP models failed to generalize (61-62% accuracy) while GPT-4 maintained accuracies >90%. PaLM-2 and GPT-4 showed similar performance. No biases were detected based on demographics or diagnosis.LLMs are accurate and generalizable methods for extracting PROs. They maintain excellent accuracy across institutions, despite heterogeneity in note templates and authors. Widespread adoption of such tools has the potential to enhance IBD research and patient care.

  View details for DOI 10.1101/2024.09.05.24313139

  View details for PubMedID 39281744

  View details for PubMedCentralID PMC11398594

• Challenges in IBD Research 2024: Precision Medicine. Inflammatory bowel diseases Syed, S., Boland, B. S., Bourke, L. T., Chen, L. A., Churchill, L., Dobes, A., Greene, A., Heller, C., Jayson, C., Kostiuk, B., Moss, A., Najdawi, F., Plung, L., Rioux, J. D., Rosen, M. J., Torres, J., Zulqarnain, F., Satsangi, J. 2024; 30 (Supplement_2): S39-S54

  Abstract

  Precision medicine is part of 5 focus areas of the Challenges in IBD Research 2024 research document, which also includes preclinical human IBD mechanisms, environmental triggers, novel technologies, and pragmatic clinical research. Building on Challenges in IBD Research 2019, the current Challenges aims to provide a comprehensive overview of current gaps in inflammatory bowel diseases (IBDs) research and deliver actionable approaches to address them with a focus on how these gaps can lead to advancements in interception, remission, and restoration for these diseases. The document is the result of multidisciplinary input from scientists, clinicians, patients, and funders, and represents a valuable resource for patient-centric research prioritization. In particular, the precision medicine section is focused on the main research gaps in elucidating how to bring the best care to the individual patient in IBD. Research gaps were identified in biomarker discovery and validation for predicting disease progression and choosing the most appropriate treatment for each patient. Other gaps were identified in making the best use of existing patient biosamples and clinical data, developing new technologies to analyze large datasets, and overcoming regulatory and payer hurdles to enable clinical use of biomarkers. To address these gaps, the Workgroup suggests focusing on thoroughly validating existing candidate biomarkers, using best-in-class data generation and analysis tools, and establishing cross-disciplinary teams to tackle regulatory hurdles as early as possible. Altogether, the precision medicine group recognizes the importance of bringing basic scientific biomarker discovery and translating it into the clinic to help improve the lives of IBD patients.

  View details for DOI 10.1093/ibd/izae084

  View details for PubMedID 38778628

• Real-world effectiveness of ustekinumab and vedolizumab in TNF-exposed pediatric patients with ulcerative colitis. Journal of pediatric gastroenterology and nutrition Patel, P. V., Zhang, A., Bhasuran, B., Ravindranath, V. G., Heyman, M. B., Verstraete, S. G., Butte, A. J., Rosen, M. J., Rudrapatna, V. A., ImproveCareNow Pediatric IBD Learning Health System 2024

  Abstract

  OBJECTIVES: Vedolizumab (VDZ) and ustekinumab (UST) are second-line treatments in pediatric patients with ulcerative colitis (UC) refractory to antitumor necrosis factor (anti-TNF) therapy. Pediatric studies comparing the effectiveness of these medications are lacking. Using a registry from ImproveCareNow (ICN), a global research network in pediatric inflammatory bowel disease, we compared the effectiveness of UST and VDZ in anti-TNF refractory UC.METHODS: We performed a propensity-score weighted regression analysis to compare corticosteroid-free clinical remission (CFCR) at 6 months from starting second-line therapy. Sensitivity analyses tested the robustness of our findings to different ways of handling missing outcome data. Secondary analyses evaluated alternative proxies of response and infection risk.RESULTS: Our cohort included 262 patients on VDZ and 74 patients on UST. At baseline, the two groups differed on their mean pediatric UC activity index (PUCAI) (p=0.03) but were otherwise similar. At Month 6, 28.3% of patients on VDZ and 25.8% of those on UST achieved CFCR (p=0.76). Our primary model showed no difference in CFCR (odds ratio: 0.81; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.41-1.59) (p=0.54). The time to biologic discontinuation was similar in both groups (hazard ratio: 1.26; 95% CI: 0.76-2.08) (p=0.36), with the reference group being VDZ, and we found no differences in clinical response, growth parameters, hospitalizations, surgeries, infections, or malignancy risk. Sensitivity analyses supported these findings of similar effectiveness.CONCLUSIONS: UST and VDZ are similarly effective for inducing clinical remission in anti-TNF refractory UC in pediatric patients. Providers should consider safety, tolerability, cost, and comorbidities when deciding between these therapies.

  View details for DOI 10.1002/jpn3.12169

  View details for PubMedID 38482890

• Recommendations for Standardizing MRI-based Evaluation of Perianal Fistulizing Disease Activity in Pediatric Crohn's Disease Clinical Trials. Inflammatory bowel diseases Crowley, E., Ma, C., Guizzetti, L., Zou, G., Lewindon, P. J., Gee, M. S., Hyams, J. S., Rosen, M. J., von Allmen, D., de Buck van Overstraeten, A., Shackelton, L. M., Remillard, J., Schleicher, L., Dillman, J. R., Rimola, J., Taylor, S. A., Fletcher, J. G., Church, P. C., Feagan, B. G., Griffiths, A. M., Jairath, V., Greer, M. C. 2023

  Abstract

  Perianal fistulas and abscesses occur commonly as complications of pediatric Crohn's disease (CD). A validated imaging assessment tool for quantification of perianal disease severity and activity is needed to evaluate treatment response. We aimed to identify magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)-based measures of perianal fistulizing disease activity and study design features appropriate for pediatric patients.Seventy-nine statements relevant to MRI-based assessment of pediatric perianal fistulizing CD activity and clinical trial design were generated from literature review and expert opinion. Statement appropriateness was rated by a panel (N = 15) of gastroenterologists, radiologists, and surgeons using modified RAND/University of California Los Angeles appropriateness methodology.The modified Van Assche Index (mVAI) and the Magnetic Resonance Novel Index for Fistula Imaging in CD (MAGNIFI-CD) were considered appropriate instruments for use in pediatric perianal fistulizing disease clinical trials. Although there was concern regarding the use of intravascular contrast material in pediatric patients, its use in clinical trials was considered appropriate. A clinically evident fistula tract and radiologic disease defined as at least 1 fistula or abscess on pelvic MRI were considered appropriate trial inclusion criteria. A coprimary clinical and radiologic end point and inclusion of a patient-reported outcome were also considered appropriate.Outcomes of treatment of perianal fistulizing disease in children must include MRI. Existing multi-item measures, specifically the mVAI and MAGNIFI-CD, can be adapted and used for children. Further research to assess the operating properties of the indices when used in a pediatric patient population is ongoing.

  View details for DOI 10.1093/ibd/izad134

  View details for PubMedID 37524088

• Mucosal transcriptomics highlight lncRNAs implicated in ulcerative colitis, Crohn disease, and celiac disease. JCI insight Braun, T., Sosnovski, K. E., Amir, A., BenShoshan, M., VanDussen, K. L., Karns, R., Levhar, N., Abbas-Egbariya, H., Hadar, R., Efroni, G., Castel, D., Avivi, C., Rosen, M. J., Grifiths, A. M., Walters, T. D., Mack, D. R., Boyle, B. M., Ali, S. A., Moore, S. R., Schirmer, M., Xavier, R. J., Kugathasan, S., Jegga, A. G., Weiss, B., Mayer, C., Barshack, I., Ben-Horin, S., Ulitsky, I., Beucher, A., Ferrer, J., Hyams, J. S., Denson, L. A., Haberman, Y. 2023

  Abstract

  Ulcerative colitis (UC), Crohn's disease (CD), and celiac disease are prevalent intestinal inflammatory disorders with non-satisfactory therapeutic interventions. Analyzing patient data-driven cohorts can highlight disease pathways and new targets for interventions. Long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) are attractive candidates as they are readily targetable by RNA therapeutics, show relative cell-specific expression, and play key cellular functions. Uniformly analyzing gut mucosal transcriptomics from 696 subjects, we highlight lncRNA expression along the gastrointestinal (GI) tract, demonstrating that in control samples, lncRNAs have a more location-specific expression in comparison to protein-coding genes. We defined dysregulation of lncRNAs in treatment-naïve UC, CD, and celiac diseases using independent test and validation cohorts. Using the PROTECT inception UC cohort, we define and prioritize lncRNA linked with UC severity and prospective outcomes, and highlight lncRNAs linked with gut microbes previously implicated in mucosal homeostasis. HNF1A-AS1 lncRNA was reduced in all 3 conditions and was further reduced in more severe UC form. Similarly, the reduction of HNF1A-AS1 ortholog in mice gut epithelial showed higher sensitivity to dextran sodium sulfate-induced colitis which was coupled with alteration in the gut microbial community. These analyses highlight prioritized dysregulated lncRNAs that can guide future preclinical studies for testing them as novel potential targets.

  View details for DOI 10.1172/jci.insight.170181

  View details for PubMedID 37261910

• Deep crypt secretory cell differentiation in the colonic epithelium is regulated by Sprouty2 and interleukin-13. Cellular and molecular gastroenterology and hepatology Schumacher, M. A., Liu, C. Y., Katada, K., Thai, M. H., Hsieh, J. J., Hansten, B. J., Waddell, A., Rosen, M. J., Frey, M. R. 2022

  Abstract

  Deep crypt secretory (DCS) cells are a critical component of the colonic stem cell niche. However, the regulatory mechanisms controlling DCS cell numbers and function are not well understood. Sprouty2 is an inflammation-responsive regulator of intracellular signaling that influences colonic secretory cell numbers in colitis via an epithelial-stromal IL-33/IL-13 signaling loop. Here we tested the hypothesis that IL-13, induced by epithelial Sprouty2 downregulation, promotes DCS cell differentiation and function.Distal colons from mice with an intestinal epithelial-specific Sprouty2 deletion (Spry2ΔIE) and littermate controls were analyzed by in situ hybridization for Reg4+ DCS cells. Single cell RNA sequencing and immunostaining were used to identify DCS cell-derived host defense peptides (HDPs) and localization of IL-13 and IL-13 receptor; bulk RNA sequencing and qPCR were used to quantify changes in expression of identified HDPs. Cytokine treated colonoids were assessed for DCS cells. A requirement for an IL-33/IL-13 signaling loop in the regulation of DCS cells was assessed in vivo using IL-13 null mice.Reg4+ DCS cell numbers were increased 2-fold in distal colons of Spry2ΔIE mice with a concomitant overall increase in DCS cell marker expression (Reg4, Spink4, and Agr2). Single cell transcriptomics showed the HDP Retnlb/RELMβ is highly enriched in DCS cells. Retnlb/RELMβ expression was increased in Spry2ΔIE colons. IL-13, but not IL-33, induced Reg4 and Retnlb expression in colonic epithelial organoids, and IL-33-mediated expansion of the DCS cell population in vivo was dependent on IL-13, which was predominantly expressed by type II innate lymphoid cells (ILC2s) in the colonic mucosa.Sprouty2 limits colonic DCS cell differentiation through suppression of IL-13 signaling. At homeostasis, DCS cells are marked by high levels of the HDP RELMβ. Loss of epithelial Sprouty2 activates ILC2s to release IL-13, promoting expansion of the DCS cell population and increased colonic RELMβ levels.

  View details for DOI 10.1016/j.jcmgh.2022.11.004

  View details for PubMedID 36414210

• MULTICENTER COHORT STUDY OF INFLIXIMAB PHARMACOKINETICS AND THERAPY RESPONSE IN PEDIATRIC ACUTE SEVERE ULCERATIVE COLITIS. Clinical gastroenterology and hepatology : the official clinical practice journal of the American Gastroenterological Association Whaley, K. G., Xiong, Y., Karns, R., Hyams, J. S., Kugathasan, S., Boyle, B. M., Walters, T. D., Kelsen, J., LeLeiko, N., Shapiro, J., Waddell, A., Fox, S., Bezold, R., Bruns, S., Widing, R., Haberman, Y., Collins, M. H., Mizuno, T., Minar, P., D'Haens, G. R., Denson, L. A., Vinks, A. A., Rosen, M. J. 2022

  Abstract

  BACKGROUND AND AIMS: We aimed to model infliximab (IFX) pharmacokinetics (PK) in pediatric acute severe ulcerative colitis (ASUC) and assess the association between PK parameters, including drug exposure, and clinical response.METHODS: We studied a multicenter prospective cohort of hospitalized children initiating IFX for ASUC or IBD-unclassified. Serial IFX serum concentrations over 26 weeks were used to develop a PK model. We tested the association of PK parameter estimates with day 7 clinical response, week 8 clinical remission, week 26 corticosteroid-free clinical remission (CSF-CR) (using the Pediatric Ulcerative Colitis Activity Index) and colectomy-free survival.RESULTS: 38 participants received IFX (median initial dose 9.9 mg/kg). Day 7 clinical response, week 8 clinical remission, and week 26 CSF-CR occurred in 71%, 55%, and 43%, respectively. Albumin, C-reactive protein, white blood cell count, platelets, weight, and antibodies to IFX were significant covariates incorporated into a PK model. Week 26 non-remitters exhibited faster IFX clearance than remitters (P=.013). However, cumulative IFX exposure did not differ between clinical response groups. One (2.7%) and four (10.8%) participants underwent colectomy by week 26 and two years, respectively. Day 3 IFX clearance > .02 L/h was associated with colectomy (HR 58.2, 95% CI: 6.0-568.6, P < .001).CONCLUSIONS: At median higher-than-label IFX dosing for pediatric ASUC, baseline faster IFX CL was associated with colectomy and, at week 26, with lack of CSF-CR. IFX exposure was not predictive of clinical outcomes. Higher IFX dosing may sufficiently optimize early outcomes in pediatric ASUC. Larger studies are warranted to determine if sustained intensification can overcome rapid clearance and improve later outcomes.

  View details for DOI 10.1016/j.cgh.2022.08.016

  View details for PubMedID 36031093

• Targeted Assessment of Mucosal Immune Gene Expression Predicts Clinical Outcomes in Children with Ulcerative Colitis. Journal of Crohn's & colitis Clarkston, K., Karns, R., Jegga, A. G., Sharma, M., Fox, S., Ojo, B. A., Minar, P., Walters, T. D., Griffiths, A. M., Mack, D. R., Boyle, B., LeLeiko, N. S., Markowitz, J., Rosh, J. R., Patel, A. S., Shah, S., Baldassano, R. N., Pfefferkorn, M., Sauer, C., Kugathasan, S., Haberman, Y., Hyams, J. S., Denson, L. A., Rosen, M. J. 2022

  Abstract

  We aimed to determine whether a targeted gene expression panel could predict clinical outcomes in pediatric UC and investigated putative pathogenic roles of predictive genes.313 rectal RNA samples from a cohort of newly diagnosed pediatric UC patients (PROTECT) were analyzed by a real-time PCR microfluidic array for expression of type 1, 2, and 17 inflammation genes. Associations between expression and clinical outcomes were assessed by logistic regression. Identified prognostic markers were further analyzed using existing RNA sequencing (RNA-seq) data sets and tissue immunostaining.IL13RA2 was associated with lower likelihood of corticosteroid-free remission (CSFR) on mesalamine at week 52 (P= .002). A model including IL13RA2 and only baseline clinical parameters was as accurate as an established clinical model, which requires week 4 remission status. RORC was associated with lower likelihood of colectomy by week 52. A model including RORC and PUCAI predicted colectomy by 52 weeks (AUC 0.71). Bulk RNA-seq identified IL13RA2 and RORC as hub genes within UC outcome-associated expression networks related to extracellular matrix and innate immune response, and lipid metabolism and microvillus assembly, respectively. Adult UC single-cell RNA-seq data revealed IL13RA2 and RORC co-expressed genes were localized to inflammatory fibroblasts and undifferentiated epithelial cells, respectively, which was supported by protein immunostaining.Targeted assessment of rectal mucosal immune gene expression predicts 52-week CSFR in treatment-naïve pediatric UC patients. Further exploration of IL-13Rɑ2 as a therapeutic target in UC, and future studies of the epithelial-specific role of RORC in UC pathogenesis are warranted.

  View details for DOI 10.1093/ecco-jcc/jjac075

  View details for PubMedID 35665804

• Identification of Immunoglobulin G Autoantibody Against Malondialdehyde-Acetaldehyde Adduct as Novel Serological Biomarker for Ulcerative Colitis. Clinical and translational gastroenterology Duryee, M. J., Ahmad, R., Eichele, D. D., Hunter, C. D., Mitra, A., Talmon, G. A., Singh, S., Smith, L. M., Rosen, M. J., Dhawan, P., Thiele, G. M., Singh, A. B. 2022

  Abstract

  INTRODUCTION: Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) is associated with immune responses with oxidative stress wherein high levels of malondialdehyde result in the formation of a highly stable and immunogenic malondialdehyde-acetaldehyde adduct (MAA). Thus, this study evaluated the status of MAA-adducts and anti-MAA antibody isotypes in IBD, and their potential as novel serologic biomarkers for differentiating ulcerative colitis (UC) from Crohn's disease (CD).METHODS: Levels of MAA-adduct and anti-MAA antibodies were examined in patients with IBD (171), non-IBD gastrointestinal diseases (77) and controls (83), from 2-independent cohorts using immunohistochemistry and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Receiver operating characteristic curves and Youden cut-off index from logistic regression were used to determine the sensitivity and specificity.RESULTS: The MAA-adduct and blood immunoglobulin G (IgG) anti-MAA antibody levels were significantly elevated in IBD compared to non-IBD patients (P = 0.0008) or controls (P = 0.02). Interestingly, UC patients showed higher levels of IgG anti-MAA (P < 0.0001) than CD patients including those with colonic CD (P = 0.0067). Odds ratio by logistic regression analysis predicted stronger association of IgG anti-MAA antibody with UC than CD. Subsequent analysis showed that IgG anti-MAA antibody levels could accurately identify (P = 0.0004) UC in the adult cohort with sensitivity of (75.3%) and specificity of (71.4%), and area under the curve of 0.8072 (0.7121-0.9024). The pediatric cohort also showed area under the curve of 0.8801 (0.7988-0.9614) and precisely distinguished (P < 0.0001) UC with sensitivity (95.8%) and specificity (72.3%).DISCUSSION: Circulating IgG anti-MAA antibody levels can serve as novel, non-invasive, and highly sensitive test to identify UC patients, and possibly differentiate them from patients with CD.

  View details for DOI 10.14309/ctg.0000000000000469

  View details for PubMedID 35287144

• Antibodies-to-infliximab accelerate clearance while dose intensification reverses immunogenicity and recaptures clinical response in paediatric Crohn's disease ALIMENTARY PHARMACOLOGY & THERAPEUTICS Colman, R. J., Xiong, Y., Mizuno, T., Hyams, J. S., Noe, J. D., Boyle, B., D'Haens, G. R., van Limbergen, J., Chun, K., Yang, J., Rosen, M. J., Denson, L. A., Vinks, A. A., Minar, P. 2021

  Abstract

  Antibodies to infliximab (ATI) are associated with secondary loss of response and increased risk for drug reactions. Limited studies have associated ATI with increased infliximab clearance.We assessed the impact of ATI on infliximab clearance and loss of response in an inception paediatric Crohn's disease cohort with 1-year follow-up.This multi-centre prospective cohort study collected peak and trough serum infliximab/ATI concentrations from 660 infusions (78 patients) during the first year of therapy. Clinicians were blinded to these research labs. The primary outcome was the difference in infliximab clearance between ATI-positive (ATI) and ATI-negative (no-ATI) patients. Secondary outcomes included pre-treatment predictors of ATI (including HLA-DQA1 genotyping). Clinical remission, loss of response and infliximab clearance were compared between pre-ATI, during ATI and following ATI resolution with MANOVA. Time to ATI was calculated by Cox proportional Hazards model.ATI were detected in 68% (53/78) patients with a median concentration of 76 ng/mL (range 23-1828). Maximum ATI concentration was <200 ng/mL in 73.6% (39/53). Median clearance in ATI patients was higher (with higher clearance if loss of response), compared to no-ATI patients (P < 0.001). Neutrophil CD64 ratio >6 and starting dose <7.5 mg/kg independently predicted ATI in multivariable regression, while HLA-DQA1*05 presence did not. Dose adjustment resolved ATI in 37.5% (12/32) patients with concomitant infliximab concentration and clearance recovery. A maximum ATI level of ≤99 ng/mL predicted ATI resolution (area under the receiver operating curve 0.80 [95% CI 0.64-0.96]).In this real-world cohort, ATI as low as 23 ng/mL impacted drug clearance. Our data suggest that dose optimisation for low-level ATI can improve infliximab clearance and prevent loss of response.

  View details for DOI 10.1111/apt.16733

  View details for Web of Science ID 000732588600001

  View details for PubMedID 34935161

• New role for fatty acid receptor regulation of immune cells to control intestinal inflammation. Gastroenterology Rosen, M. J. 2021

  View details for DOI 10.1053/j.gastro.2021.09.072

  View details for PubMedID 34672998

• SLCO1B1 *15 allele is associated with methotrexate-induced nausea in pediatric patients with inflammatory bowel disease. Clinical and translational science Mehta, R. S., Taylor, Z. L., Martin, L. J., Rosen, M. J., Ramsey, L. B. 2021

  Abstract

  Low-dose methotrexate (MTX) is an immunosuppressant used to treat inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). SLCO1B1 genetic variation has been associated with delayed MTX clearance and increased toxicity. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the association between SLCO1B1 genetic variation and MTX-induced nausea in children with IBD. We performed a single center retrospective chart analysis of 278 patients who were prescribed MTX for IBD. Two hundred two patients had banked DNA and were genotyped for three SLCO1B1 single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs; rs4149056, rs2306283, and rs11045819). Diplotypes were determined by combining the SNPs into *1, *4, *5, *14, *15, and *37 alleles. Incidence of nausea was abstracted from clinician notes. Prescriptions and demographics were extracted from the medical record. The cohort was 69.8% boys, 89.1% White, and 87.6% had a diagnosis of Crohn's disease with a mean age of 16.0 (± 3.8) years. MTX-induced nausea was noted in 34% of the cohort. MTX-induced nausea was associated with the number of reduced-function *15 alleles (p=0.034) and occurred 2.26 times more often in patients with at least one *15 allele who did not initiate MTX treatment with concomitant ondansetron (p=0.034). MTX-induced nausea was significantly independently associated with SLCO1B1 diplotype (p=0.006) after controlling for MTX dose group and concomitant ondansetron. Our data demonstrate that the SLCO1B1 *15 allele is associated with MTX-induced nausea in pediatric patients with IBD. Additionally, *15 allele carriers could benefit from a dose reduction of MTX to reduce exposure and treatment initiation with concomitant ondansetron to reduce nausea.

  View details for DOI 10.1111/cts.13130

  View details for PubMedID 34423897

• The Promise of Patient-Derived Colon Organoids to Model Ulcerative Colitis. Inflammatory bowel diseases Ojo, B. A., VanDussen, K. L., Rosen, M. J. 2021

  Abstract

  Physiologic, molecular, and genetic findings all point to impaired intestinal epithelial function as a key element in the multifactorial pathogenesis of ulcerative colitis (UC). The lack of epithelial-directed therapies is a conspicuous weakness of our UC therapeutic armamentarium. However, a critical barrier to new drug discovery is the lack of preclinical human models of UC. Patient tissue-derived colon epithelial organoids (colonoids) are primary epithelial stem cell-derived in vitro structures capable of self-organization and self-renewal that hold great promise as a human preclinical model for UC drug development. Several single and multi-tissue systems for colonoid culture have been developed, including 3-dimensional colonoids grown in a gelatinous extracellular matrix, 2-dimensional polarized monolayers, and colonoids on a chip that model luminal and blood flow and nutrient delivery. A small number of pioneering studies suggest that colonoids derived from UC patients retain some disease-related transcriptional and epigenetic changes, but they also raise questions regarding the persistence of inflammatory transcriptional programs in culture over time. Additional research is needed to fully characterize the extent to which and under what conditions colonoids accurately model disease-associated epithelial molecular and functional aberrations. With further advancement and standardization of colonoid culture methodology, colonoids will likely become an important tool for realizing precision medicine in UC.

  View details for DOI 10.1093/ibd/izab161

  View details for PubMedID 34251431

• PIR-B Regulates CD4+ IL17a+ T-Cell Survival and Restricts T-Cell-Dependent Intestinal Inflammatory Responses. Cellular and molecular gastroenterology and hepatology Uddin, J., Tomar, S., Sharma, A., Waggoner, L., Ganesan, V., Marella, S., Yang, Y., Noah, T., Vanoni, S., Patterson, A., Zeng, C., Foster, P. S., Newberry, R., Bishu, S., Kao, J. Y., Rosen, M. J., Denson, L., King, P., Hoebe, K., Divanovic, S., Munitz, A., Hogan, S. P. 2021

  Abstract

  BACKGROUND & AIMS: CD4+ T cells are regulated by activating and inhibitory cues, and dysregulation of these proper regulatory inputs predisposes these cells to aberrant inflammation and exacerbation of disease. We investigated the role of the inhibitory receptor paired immunoglobulin-like receptor B (PIR-B) in the regulation of the CD4+ T-cell inflammatory response and exacerbation of the colitic phenotype.METHODS: We used Il10-/- spontaneous and CD4+CD45RBhi T-cell transfer models of colitis with PIR-B-deficient (Pirb-/-) mice. Flow cytometry, Western blot, and RNA sequencing analysis was performed on wild-type and Pirb-/- CD4+ T cells. In silico analyses were performed on RNA sequencing data set of ileal biopsy samples from pediatric CD and non-inflammatory bowel disease patients and sorted human memory CD4+ T cells.RESULTS: We identified PIR-B expression on memory CD4+ interleukin (IL)17a+ cells. We show that PIR-B regulates CD4+ T-helper 17 cell (Th17)-dependent chronic intestinal inflammatory responses and the development of colitis. Mechanistically, we show that the PIR-B-SHP-1/2 axis tempers mammalian target of rapamycin complex 1 signaling and mammalian target of rapamycin complex 1-dependent caspase-3/7 apoptosis, resulting in CD4+ IL17a+ cell survival. In silico analyses showed enrichment of transcriptional signatures for Th17 cells (RORC, RORA, and IL17A) and tissue resident memory (HOBIT, IL7R, and BLIMP1) networks in PIR-B+ murine CD4+ T cells and human CD4+ T cells that express the human homologue LILRB3. High levels of LILRB3 expression were associated strongly with mucosal injury and a proinflammatory Th17 signature, and this signature was restricted to a treatment-naive, severe pediatric CD population.CONCLUSIONS: Our findings show an intrinsic role for PIR-B/LILRB3 in the regulation of CD4+ IL17a+ T-cell pathogenic memory responses.

  View details for DOI 10.1016/j.jcmgh.2021.06.013

  View details for PubMedID 34242819

• Achieving Target Infliximab Drug Concentrations Improves Blood and Fecal Neutrophil Biomarkers in Crohn's Disease INFLAMMATORY BOWEL DISEASES Colman, R. J., Tsai, Y., Jackson, K., Boyle, B. M., Noe, J. D., Hyams, J. S., D'Haens, G. M., van Limbergen, J., Rosen, M. J., Denson, L. A., Minar, P. 2021; 27 (7): 1045-1051

  Abstract

  The neutrophil fecal biomarkers, calprotectin (FCP) and lactoferrin (LCT), and peripheral blood neutrophil CD64 surface receptor (nCD64) are biomarkers for mucosal inflammation in inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). Although FCP has been evaluated as a biomarker for mucosal healing, cut points for LCT and nCD64 are less known. We aimed to identify the cut points for LCT and nCD64 that were associated with FCP remission, with a secondary aim to evaluate the relationship between biochemical outcomes and infliximab (IFX) trough concentrations.We analyzed FCP, LCT, and nCD64 before and after IFX induction in a pediatric Crohn's disease (CD) cohort study. Week-14 FCP biomarker remission was defined as FCP <250 µg/g, with clinical response defined as a weighted Pediatric Crohn's Disease Activity Index <12.5 or Δ>17.5 improvement. Predictive outcomes were calculated by receiver operating characteristics (ROCs).Among 56 CD patients, ROC analysis identified an infusion 4 LCT <8.06 (area under the receiver operator characteristics [AUROC], 0.934, P < 0.001) and nCD64 <6.12 (AUROC, 0.76, P = 0.02) as the ideal cut points for week-14 FCP biomarker remission. End of induction IFX-trough of >9.4 µg/mL (AUROC, 0.799, P = 0.002) and >11.5 µg/mL (AUROC, 0.835, P = 0.003) were associated with a FCP <250 and FCP <100, respectively. We found patients achieving end of induction trough >5 µg/mL had a median FCP improvement (dose 1 to dose 4) of 90% compared with a median of 35% with levels <5 µg/mL (P = 0.024) with a similar median reduction in nCD64 (48% vs 20%, P = 0.031).This study establishes cut points in neutrophil stool and blood biomarkers for both biochemical remission and therapeutic trough levels following induction therapy. Further studies that evaluate pharmacodynamic biomarker targets for endoscopic and histologic healing are warranted.

  View details for DOI 10.1093/ibd/izaa241

  View details for Web of Science ID 000670937700013

  View details for PubMedID 32944769

  View details for PubMedCentralID PMC8205636

• Vedolizumab Experience in Children and Adolescents With Inflammatory Bowel Disease: A Multicenter Observational Study. Crohn's & colitis 360 Hajjat, T. M., Mosha, M., Whaley, K. G., Rosen, M. J., Suppa, C., Markowitz, J., Dufour, L., Sauer, C., Shukla-Udawatta, M., Boyle, B., Gibson, M., Shapiro, J., Sams, D., Sylvester, F., Hunter, G., Perez, M. E., Hyams, J. S. 2021; 3 (3): otab039

  Abstract

  Vedolizumab is increasingly used off-label to treat children and adolescents with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). In the absence of rigorous clinical trial experience, multicenter observational data are important to establish expectations for efficacy and safety. We examined 1-year outcomes following vedolizumab therapy in a large multicenter pediatric IBD cohort.We performed a retrospective study of 159 pediatric patients (4-17 years old) with IBD [78, Crohn disease (CD); 81, ulcerative colitis/IBD-unspecified (UC/IBD-U)] treated with vedolizumab for 1 year at 8 pediatric medical centers in the United States. Demographics, clinical outcomes, laboratory data, and vedolizumab dosing were recorded. The primary outcome was corticosteroid (CS)-free clinical remission at 1 year. Other measured outcomes were clinical remission at 12 and/or 24 weeks, laboratory outcomes at 1 year, and endoscopy/histology results at 1 year.Among the 159 patients (mean age, 14.5 ± 2.4 years; 86% anti-TNF experienced), 68/159 (43%) achieved CS-free clinical remission at 1 year (CD, 35/78, 45%; UC/IBD-U, 33/81, 40%). Vedolizumab therapy failed and was discontinued in 33/159 (21%) patients prior to 1 year (CD, 18/78, 23%; UC/IBD-U, 15/81, 19%). While week 12 clinical remission was not predictive of 1-year clinical remission in either CD or UC/IBD-U, week 24 clinical remission was predictive of 1-year clinical remission only in CD patients. No infusion reactions or serious side effects were noted.Vedolizumab was safe and effective in this pediatric population with approximately 43% achieving CS-free clinical remission at 1 year. Similar efficacy was noted in both CD and UC.

  View details for DOI 10.1093/crocol/otab039

  View details for PubMedID 36776669

  View details for PubMedCentralID PMC9802305

• IL-33 is produced by colon fibroblasts and differentially regulated in acute and chronic murine colitis SCIENTIFIC REPORTS Waddell, A., Vallance, J. E., Fox, S., Rosen, M. J. 2021; 11 (1): 9575

  Abstract

  IL-33 is upregulated in ulcerative colitis and has a protective role in chemically-induced acute murine colitis. We aimed to determine whether IL-33 influences Il10-/- chronic colitis and its cellular source in health and during colitis. Il10-/-Il33-/- and Il10-/-Il33+/+ littermates developed colitis of similar severity. Colon Il33 was induced in WT and Il10-/- mice exposed to DSS, but not in unchallenged Il10-/- mice with colitis. Il33-citrine reporter mice showed that Il33-citrine colocalized with α-smooth muscle actin+ myofibroblasts and vimentin+ fibroblasts in WT mice. Citrine+CD74+CD90hi inflammatory fibroblasts were increased with DSS treatment. IL-1β induced Il33 expression in colon myofibroblasts, but colon Il33 expression did not differ between DSS-treated WT and Il1r1-/- mice. In conclusion, deficiency of IL-33 does not alter the severity of chronic colitis in Il10-/- mice. Induction of Il33 upon DSS exposure in WT and Il10-/- mice, but not in unchallenged Il10-/- mice, suggests epithelial injury induces colon IL-33. Fibroblasts are the primary colonic source of IL-33 and IL-33-expressing CD90hiCD74+ fibroblasts are increased during DSS-induced colitis. IL-1β induces Il33 in colon myofibroblasts in vitro, but signaling through the IL-1R1 is not necessary for induction of IL-33 in DSS-induced colitis.

  View details for DOI 10.1038/s41598-021-89119-1

  View details for Web of Science ID 000656453000020

  View details for PubMedID 33953267

  View details for PubMedCentralID PMC8100152

• Quality Improvement Methodology Optimizes Infliximab Levels in Pediatric Patients with Inflammatory Bowel Disease. Pediatric quality & safety Hellmann, J., Etter, R. K., Denson, L. A., Minar, P., Hill, D., Dykes, D. M., Rosen, M. J. 2021; 6 (3): e400

  Abstract

  Achieving and maintaining target serum trough infliximab levels improves outcomes in children and young adults with inflammatory bowel disease. Our goal was to improve adherence to an infliximab therapy guideline. The primary aim was to increase the percentage of patients with infliximab levels ≥5 mug/mL and results checked in the last 12 months from 73% to ≥80% from July 2017 to January 2018.Methods: We participated in Intermediate Improvement Science Series, a course at Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center designed to catalyze change using quality improvement methodology. We implemented interventions through plan-do-study-act cycles. Our outcome measure was balanced by 2 process measures to determine what actions impacted improvement. These measures included the percentage of infusion plans revised in response to a drug level <5 mug/mL and the proportion of plans for which a follow-up drug level was ordered.Results: We increased the percentage of infusion plans revised before the next infusion from 63% to 87% and the percentage of plans that had an appropriate drug level recheck from 61% to 83% from July 2017 to January 2018. We increased the percentage of patients with an infliximab level >5 mug/mL, and results checked in the last 12 months, from 73% to 80%.Conclusions: Quality improvement methodology was effective in improving provider adherence to infliximab therapeutic drug monitoring guidelines. Improvement in adherence to guidelines directly improved the percentage of patients achieving target infliximab levels at any time during infliximab therapy.

  View details for DOI 10.1097/pq9.0000000000000400

  View details for PubMedID 33977189

• Favorable Outcomes and Anti-TNF Durability After Addition of an Immunomodulator for Anti-Drug Antibodies in Pediatric IBD Patients INFLAMMATORY BOWEL DISEASES Colman, R. J., Portocarrero-Castillo, A., Chona, D., Hellmann, J., Minar, P., Rosen, M. J. 2021; 27 (4): 507-515

  Abstract

  Anti-drug antibodies (ADAs) to anti-tumor necrosis factor alpha (anti-TNF) drugs are associated with increased drug clearance and loss of response. We aimed to assess the effectiveness of starting an immunomodulator (IM) drug in patients with newly detected ADAs on anti-TNF monotherapy.We reviewed the medical records of pediatric patients with inflammatory bowel disease on infliximab or adalimumab monotherapy with first-time detection of significant ADAs between 2014 and 2018. Patients who started an IM within 3 months of ADA detection were compared with those who did not (No-IM). Outcomes included steroid-free clinical and biochemical remission on the same anti-TNF , anti-TNF durability, and ADA reversal.We identified 89 patients with ADAs: 30 IM patients and 59 No-IM patients. The initial anti-TNF was stopped shortly after ADA detection in 36% of the No-IM patients vs none of the IM patients, driving longer survival on the initial anti-TNF in the IM group (P = 0.005). At 12 months, steroid-free clinical and biochemical remission on the same anti-TNF occurred in 53.9% of the IM group vs 26.8% in the No-IM group (P = 0.025). Drug levels rose higher (P = 0.003) and ADA levels fell farther (P = 0.037) in the IM group than in the No-IM group. Baseline ADA level predicted ADA reversal in the No-IM patients with an area under the receiver operating characteristic of 0.79 (P = 0.006). An ADA level <329 ng/mL had a 76.2% sensitivity and an 83.3% specificity for ADA reversal without IM.Pediatric patients with inflammatory bowel disease on anti-TNF monotherapy who started an IM for significant ADA levels exhibited longer anti-TNF durability and a higher likelihood of steroid-free clinical and biochemical remission on the same anti-TNF. Patients not treated with an IM were unlikely to reverse ADAs >329 ng/mL.

  View details for DOI 10.1093/ibd/izaa108

  View details for Web of Science ID 000637281600015

  View details for PubMedID 32426829

  View details for PubMedCentralID PMC7957223

• Effect of a Practice-wide Anti-TNF Proactive Therapeutic Drug Monitoring Program on Outcomes in Pediatric Patients with Inflammatory Bowel Disease INFLAMMATORY BOWEL DISEASES Lyles, J. L., Mulgund, A. A., Bauman, L. E., Su, W., Fei, L., Chona, D. L., Sharma, P., Etter, R. K., Hellmann, J., Denson, L. A., Minar, P., Dykes, D. M., Rosen, M. J. 2021; 27 (4): 482-492

  Abstract

  Reports on the feasibility and effectiveness of translating proactive, antitumor necrosis factor (TNF) therapeutic drug monitoring (TDM) for inflammatory bowel disease into practice-wide quality improvement (QI) are lacking. We aimed to determine whether a TDM QI program improved outcomes at a large academic pediatric gastroenterology practice.We instituted local anti-TNF TDM practice guidelines to proactively monitor and optimize drug levels (goal >5 μg/mL). We conducted a retrospective single-center cohort analysis of patient outcomes before (pre-TDM) and after (post-TDM) guideline institution and assessed the independent effect by multivariable regression. Primary outcome was sustained clinical remission (SCR22-52), defined as physician global assessment (PGA) of inactive from 22 to 52 weeks and off corticosteroids at 52 weeks.We identified 108 pre-TDM and 206 post-TDM patients. The SCR22-52 was achieved in 42% of pre-TDM and 59% of post-TDM patients (risk difference, 17.6%; 95% CI, 5.4-29%; P = 0.004). The post-TDM group had an increased adjusted odds of achieving SCR22-52 (odds ratio, 2.03; 95% CI, 1.27-3.26; P = 0.003). The adjusted risk of developing high titer antidrug antibodies (ADAs) was lower in the post-TDM group (hazard ratio, 0.18; 95% CI, 0.09-0.35; P < 0.001). Although the risk of anti-TNF cessation for any reason was not significantly different, there was a lower adjusted risk of cessation related to any detectable ADA in the post-TDM group (hazard ratio, 0.45; 95% CI, 0.26-0.77; P = 0.003).A practice-wide proactive anti-TNF TDM QI program improved key clinical outcomes at our institution, including sustained clinical remission, incidence of high titer ADA, and anti-TNF cessation related to ADA.

  View details for DOI 10.1093/ibd/izaa102

  View details for Web of Science ID 000637281600012

  View details for PubMedID 32448898

  View details for PubMedCentralID PMC7957222

• Colonic Epithelial-Derived Selenoprotein P Is the Source for Antioxidant-Mediated Protection in Colitis-Associated Cancer GASTROENTEROLOGY Short, S. P., Pilat, J. M., Barrett, C. W., Reddy, V. K., Haberman, Y., Hendren, J. R., Marsh, B. J., Keating, C. E., Motley, A. K., Hill, K. E., Zemper, A. E., Washington, M., Shi, C., Chen, X., Wilson, K. T., Hyams, J. S., Denson, L. A., Burk, R. F., Rosen, M. J., Williams, C. S. 2021; 160 (5): 1694-+

  Abstract

  Patients with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) demonstrate nutritional selenium deficiencies and are at greater risk of developing colon cancer. Previously, we determined that global reduction of the secreted antioxidant selenium-containing protein, selenoprotein P (SELENOP), substantially increased tumor development in an experimental colitis-associated cancer (CAC) model. We next sought to delineate tissue-specific contributions of SELENOP to intestinal inflammatory carcinogenesis and define clinical context.Selenop floxed mice crossed with Cre driver lines to delete Selenop from the liver, myeloid lineages, or intestinal epithelium were placed on an azoxymethane/dextran sodium sulfate experimental CAC protocol. SELENOP loss was assessed in human ulcerative colitis (UC) organoids, and expression was queried in human and adult UC samples.Although large sources of SELENOP, both liver- and myeloid-specific Selenop deletion failed to modify azoxymethane/dextran sodium sulfate-mediated tumorigenesis. Instead, epithelial-specific deletion increased CAC tumorigenesis, likely due to elevated oxidative stress with a resulting increase in genomic instability and augmented tumor initiation. SELENOP was down-regulated in UC colon biopsies and levels were inversely correlated with endoscopic disease severity and tissue S100A8 (calprotectin) gene expression.Although global selenium status is typically assessed by measuring liver-derived plasma SELENOP levels, our results indicate that the peripheral SELENOP pool is dispensable for CAC. Colonic epithelial SELENOP is the main contributor to local antioxidant capabilities. Thus, colonic SELENOP is the most informative means to assess selenium levels and activity in IBD patients and may serve as a novel biomarker for UC disease severity and identify patients most predisposed to CAC development.

  View details for DOI 10.1053/j.gastro.2020.12.059

  View details for Web of Science ID 000637453900035

  View details for PubMedID 33388316

  View details for PubMedCentralID PMC8035252

• Predicting Therapeutic Response in Pediatric Ulcerative Colitis-A Journey Towards Precision Medicine FRONTIERS IN PEDIATRICS Colman, R. J., Dhaliwal, J., Rosen, M. J. 2021; 9: 634739

  Abstract

  Ulcerative colitis (UC) is a disabling disease, characterized by chronic inflammation of the colon, with a rising prevalence worldwide in the pediatric age group. Although UC presents in children with varying severity, disease extent, and comorbidities, initial treatment is essentially uniform, consisting of 5-aminosalicylate drugs with corticosteroid induction for those with moderately to severely active disease. With the advent of anti-tumor necrosis factor (TNF) biologic therapy and several new biologics and small-molecule drugs for UC, precision medicine approaches to treatment are needed to more rapidly achieve sustained remission, restore quality of life, normalize development, and limit exposure to toxic corticosteroids in children with UC. Here, we review available data on clinical, biochemical, histopathologic, and molecular predictors of treatment response in UC. We also address known predictors and special treatment considerations in specific relevant scenarios such as very-early-onset UC, acute severe UC, ileal pouch anal anastomosis, and UC with concomitant primary sclerosing cholangitis. The review concludes with a prediction of how machine learning will integrate multimodal patient data to bring precision medicine to the bedside of children with UC in the future.

  View details for DOI 10.3389/fped.2021.634739

  View details for Web of Science ID 000624511300001

  View details for PubMedID 33681110

  View details for PubMedCentralID PMC7925616

• Sprouty2 limits intestinal tuft and goblet cell numbers through GSK3 beta-mediated restriction of epithelial IL-33 NATURE COMMUNICATIONS Schumacher, M. A., Hsieh, J. J., Liu, C. Y., Appel, K. L., Waddell, A., Almohazey, D., Katada, K., Bernard, J. K., Bucar, E. B., Gadeock, S., Maselli, K. M., Washington, M., Grikscheit, T. C., Warburton, D., Rosen, M. J., Frey, M. R. 2021; 12 (1): 836

  Abstract

  Dynamic regulation of intestinal cell differentiation is crucial for both homeostasis and the response to injury or inflammation. Sprouty2, an intracellular signaling regulator, controls pathways including PI3K and MAPKs that are implicated in differentiation and are dysregulated in inflammatory bowel disease. Here, we ask whether Sprouty2 controls secretory cell differentiation and the response to colitis. We report that colonic epithelial Sprouty2 deletion leads to expanded tuft and goblet cell populations. Sprouty2 loss induces PI3K/Akt signaling, leading to GSK3β inhibition and epithelial interleukin (IL)-33 expression. In vivo, this results in increased stromal IL-13+ cells. IL-13 in turn induces tuft and goblet cell expansion in vitro and in vivo. Sprouty2 is downregulated by acute inflammation; this appears to be a protective response, as VillinCre;Sprouty2F/F mice are resistant to DSS colitis. In contrast, Sprouty2 is elevated in chronic colitis and in colons of inflammatory bowel disease patients, suggesting that this protective epithelial-stromal signaling mechanism is lost in disease.

  View details for DOI 10.1038/s41467-021-21113-7

  View details for Web of Science ID 000617500200009

  View details for PubMedID 33547321

  View details for PubMedCentralID PMC7864916

• Real-World Infliximab Pharmacokinetic Study Informs an Electronic Health Record-Embedded Dashboard to Guide Precision Dosing in Children with Crohn's Disease CLINICAL PHARMACOLOGY & THERAPEUTICS Xiong, Y., Mizuno, T., Colman, R., Hyams, J., Noe, J. D., Boyle, B., Tsai, Y., Dong, M., Jackson, K., Punt, N., Rosen, M. J., Denson, L. A., Vinks, A. A., Minar, P. 2021; 109 (6): 1639-1647

  Abstract

  Standard-of-care infliximab dosing regimens were developed prior to the routine use of therapeutic drug monitoring and identification of target concentrations. Not surprisingly, subtherapeutic infliximab concentrations in pediatric Crohn's disease (CD) are common. The primary aim was to conduct a real-world pharmacokinetic (PK) evaluation to discover blood biomarkers of rapid clearance, identify exposure targets, and a secondary aim to translate PK modeling to the clinic. In a multicenter observational study, 671 peak and trough infliximab concentrations from 78 patients with CD were analyzed with a drug-tolerant assay (Esoterix; LabCorp, Calabasas, CA). Individual area under the curve (AUC) estimates were generated as a measure of drug exposure over time. Population PK modeling (nonlinear mixed-effect modeling) identified serum albumin, antibody to infliximab, erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR), and neutrophil CD64 as biomarkers for drug clearance. Week 14 and week 52 biochemical remitters (fecal calprotectin < 250 µg/g) had higher infliximab exposure (AUC) throughout induction. The optimal infliximab AUC target during induction for week 14 biochemical remission was 79,348 µg*h/mL (area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (AUROC) 0.77, [0.63-0.90], 85.7% sensitive, and 64.3% specific) with those exceeding the AUC target more likely to achieve a surgery-free week 52 biochemical remission (OR 4.3, [1.2-14.6]). Pretreatment predictors for subtherapeutic week 14 AUC included neutrophil CD64 > 6 (OR 4.5, [1.4-17.8]), ESR > 30 mm/h (OR 3.8, [1.4-11]), age < 10 years old (OR 4.2, [1.2-20]), and weight < 30 kg (OR 6.6, [2.1-25]). We created a decision-support PK dashboard with an iterative process and embedded the modeling program within the electronic health record. Model-informed precision dosing guided by real-world PKs is now available at the bedside in real-time.

  View details for DOI 10.1002/cpt.2148

  View details for Web of Science ID 000605586500001

  View details for PubMedID 33354765

  View details for PubMedCentralID PMC8159860

• Vedolizumab Experience in Children and Adolescents with Inflammatory Bowel Disease: A Multicenter Observational Study Crohn's & Colitis 360 Hajjat, T. M., Mosha, M., Whaley, K. G., Rosen, M. J., Suppa, C., Markowitz, J., Dufour, L., Sauer, C., Shkla-Udawatta, M., Boyle, B., Gibson, M., Shapiro, J., Sams, D., Sylvester, F., Hunter, G., Perez, M. R., Hyams, J. S. 2021: otab039

  View details for DOI 10.1093/crocol/otab039

• Could a Small Population of Epithelial Cells Get "Tuft" With Crohn 's Disease? GASTROENTEROLOGY Rosen, M. J. 2020; 159 (6): 2025-2027

  View details for DOI 10.1053/j.gastro.2020.09.037

  View details for Web of Science ID 000597918300007

  View details for PubMedID 33011174

  View details for PubMedCentralID PMC8015681

• A Micro-longitudinal Approach to Measuring Medication Adherence in Pediatric Inflammatory Bowel Diseases JOURNAL OF PEDIATRIC GASTROENTEROLOGY AND NUTRITION Plevinsky, J. M., Denson, L. A., Hellmann, J., Minar, P., Rosen, M. J., Hommel, K. A. 2020; 71 (3): 366-370

  Abstract

  Measuring medication adherence in pediatric inflammatory bowel diseases (IBD) is challenging because of complexities in personalized treatment regimens and increased use of biologic mono- and combination therapy. Objective measurement of adherence via electronic monitoring is the gold standard; however, it is not useful for daily monitoring when multiple medication formulations (eg, pills, injections, infusions) as well as vitamins/supplements are prescribed. Although validated subjective measures are available, they are not designed for daily use and do not capture day-to-day variation in adherence. In the following article, a new approach to measuring adherence regardless of a patient's specific medication regimen is presented. Utilizing a micro-longitudinal design, 30 days of daily self-reported medication adherence data was collected from youth with IBD via text message. Results reflect mean adherence rates from studies utilizing pill counts and electronic monitoring, suggesting promise for the use of self-reported daily diaries to assess medication adherence in pediatric IBD.

  View details for DOI 10.1097/MPG.0000000000002778

  View details for Web of Science ID 000570130600019

  View details for PubMedID 32404759

  View details for PubMedCentralID PMC8025293

• Pediatric Patient With Ulcerative Colitis-Associated Bronchiectasis ACG CASE REPORTS JOURNAL Russi, A., Gurbani, N., Rosen, M. J., Mallon, D., LeBlanc, F. R. 2020; 7 (4): e00365

  Abstract

  We report a unique case of ulcerative colitis-associated bronchiectasis in a pediatric patient 6 years after colectomy. The patient presented with a chronic cough and had a computed tomography demonstrating bronchiectasis. She was treated with sputum expectoration (airway clearance) via chest physiotherapy and pulse-dose steroids with a prolonged oral taper. Her initial response was excellent; however, she experienced a recurrence of symptoms with de-escalation of airway clearance. Pulmonary extraintestinal manifestations of inflammatory bowel disease are most often diagnosed later in life. Both the severity of this patient's presentation and her age are unique to this case.

  View details for DOI 10.14309/crj.0000000000000365

  View details for Web of Science ID 000588330100010

  View details for PubMedID 32548193

  View details for PubMedCentralID PMC7224709

• Improved Population Pharmacokinetic Model for Predicting Optimized Infliximab Exposure in Pediatric Inflammatory Bowel Disease INFLAMMATORY BOWEL DISEASES Bauman, L. E., Xiong, Y., Mizuno, T., Minar, P., Fukuda, T., Dong, M., Rosen, M. J., Vinks, A. A. 2020; 26 (3): 429-439

  Abstract

  Many pediatric patients with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) lose response to infliximab (IFX) within the first year, and achieving a minimal target IFX trough concentration is associated with higher remission rates and longer durability. Population pharmacokinetic (PK) modeling can predict trough concentrations for individualized dosing. The object of this study was to refine a population PK model that accurately predicts individual IFX exposure during maintenance therapy using longitudinal real-practice data.We exported data from the electronic health records of pediatric patients with IBD treated with originator IFX at a single center between January 2011 and March 2017. Subjects were divided into discovery and validation cohorts. A population PK model was built and then validated.We identified 228 pediatric patients with IBD who received IFX and had at least 1 drug concentration measured, including 135 and 93 patients in the discovery and validation cohorts, respectively. Weight, albumin, antibodies to IFX (ATI) detected by a drug-tolerant assay, and erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR) were identified as covariates significantly associated with IFX clearance and incorporated into the model. The model exhibited high accuracy for predicting target IFX trough concentrations with an area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (AUROC) of 0.86 (95% confidence interval [CI], 0.81-0.91) for population-based predictions without prior drug-level input. Accuracy increased further for individual-based predictions when prior drug levels were known, with an AUROC of 0.93 (95% CI, 0.90-0.97).A population PK model utilizing weight, albumin, ordinal drug-tolerant ATI, and ESR accurately predicts IFX trough concentrations during maintenance therapy in real-practice pediatric patients with IBD. This model, which incorporates dynamic clinical information, could be used for individualized dosing decisions to increase response durability.

  View details for DOI 10.1093/ibd/izz143

  View details for Web of Science ID 000515114000015

  View details for PubMedID 31287855

  View details for PubMedCentralID PMC7171445

• Elevated Pretreatment Plasma Oncostatin M Is Associated With Poor Biochemical Response to Infliximab. Crohn's & colitis 360 Minar, P., Lehn, C., Tsai, Y., Jackson, K., Rosen, M. J., Denson, L. A. 2019; 1 (3): otz026

  Abstract

  Background: We hypothesized that elevations of plasma Oncostatin M (OSM) would be associated with infliximab nonresponse.Methods: Plasma OSM was measured in Crohn disease patients pre-infliximab with biochemical response (>50% reduction in fecal calprotectin) as the primary outcome.Results: The median OSM in biochemical responders was 86 (69-148) pg/mL compared with 166 (74-1766) pg/mL in nonresponders (P = 0.03). Plasma OSM > 143.5 pg/mL was 71% sensitive and 78% specific for biochemical nonresponse (area under the curve 0.71). Early biochemical nonremission was also associated with an elevated neutrophil CD64 expression (odds ratio 8.9, P = 0.011).Conclusions: Elevated preinfliximab plasma OSM and nCD64 surface expression were both associated with poor biochemical outcomes.

  View details for DOI 10.1093/crocol/otz026

  View details for PubMedID 31667468

• Development of Infliximab Target Concentrations During Induction in Pediatric Crohn Disease Patients JOURNAL OF PEDIATRIC GASTROENTEROLOGY AND NUTRITION Clarkston, K., Tsai, Y., Jackson, K., Rosen, M. J., Denson, L. A., Minar, P. 2019; 69 (1): 68-74

  Abstract

  Subtherapeutic drug concentrations contribute to both primary and secondary nonresponse to infliximab in children with Crohn disease (CD). The aim of this study was to evaluate treatment outcomes and infliximab concentrations at infusions 2 and 3 with an objective to establish infliximab targets during induction for primary responders.Single-center, prospective cohort of anti- tumor necrosis factor-alpha naïve CD patients younger than 22 years starting infliximab. Clinical response was defined with the weighted pediatric CD activity index at the fourth infusion. Rates of biological response (>50% improvement in fecal calprotectin) and maintenance concentrations ≥5 μg/mL were secondary outcomes.We enrolled 72 patients with CD with 70 of 72 receiving infliximab monotherapy. Clinical response, biological response, and start of maintenance concentrations ≥5 μg/mL were achieved in 64%, 54%, and 22%, respectively. The median (interquartile range) infliximab concentrations at infusion 2 and 3 in clinical responders were 27.8 μg/mL (19.5-40) and 14 μg/mL (8.3-24) compared to 18.8 μg/mL (9.1-23, P < 0.001) and 7.8 μg/mL (4-13.2, P < 0.01) in nonresponders. Receiver operating characteristic analysis determined that an infliximab concentration ≥15.9 μg/mL at infusion 3 was associated with clinical response (area under the curve [AUC] 0.73), whereas an infusion 3 level ≥18 μg/mL was associated with a start of maintenance concentration >5 μg/mL (AUC 0.85). Independent predictors for infusion 3 levels <18 μg/mL included pretreatment prednisone, low body mass index, elevated erythrocyte sedimentation rate and C-reactive protein, hypoalbuminemia, and an infusion 2 infliximab level <29 μg/mL.We found that infusion 2 (≥29 μg/mL) and infusion 3 (≥18 μg/mL) infliximab concentrations were strongly associated with improved early outcomes and higher first maintenance dose levels.

  View details for DOI 10.1097/MPG.0000000000002304

  View details for Web of Science ID 000501132000018

  View details for PubMedID 31232885

  View details for PubMedCentralID PMC6607916

• IL-33 Induces Murine Intestinal Goblet Cell Differentiation Indirectly via Innate Lymphoid Cell IL-13 Secretion JOURNAL OF IMMUNOLOGY Waddell, A., Vallance, J. E., Hummel, A., Alenghat, T., Rosen, M. J. 2019; 202 (2): 598-607

  Abstract

  Regulation of the intestinal mucus layer by goblet cells is important for preventing inflammation and controlling infection. IL-33, a cytokine upregulated in inflammatory bowel disease and helminth infection, induces intestinal goblet cells, but the mechanism remains unclear. Enteroids are three-dimensional structures of primary small intestinal epithelial cells that contain all differentiated intestinal epithelial cell types. We developed an enteroid-immune cell coculture model to determine the mechanism through which IL-33 affects intestinal goblet cell differentiation. We report that IL-33 does not directly induce goblet cell differentiation in murine enteroids; however, IL-13, a cytokine induced by IL-33, markedly induces goblet cells and gene expression consistent with goblet cell differentiation. When enteroids are cocultured with CD90+ mesenteric lymph node cells from IL-33-treated mice, IL-33 then induces IL-13 secretion by group 2 innate lymphoid cells and enteroid gene expression consistent with goblet cell differentiation. In cocultures, IL-33-induced Muc2 expression is dependent on enteroid Il4ra expression, demonstrating a requirement for IL-13 signaling in epithelial cells. In vivo, IL-33-induced intestinal goblet cell hyperplasia is dependent on IL-13. These studies demonstrate that IL-33 induces intestinal goblet cell differentiation not through direct action on epithelial cells but indirectly through IL-13 production by goup 2 innate lymphoid cells.

  View details for DOI 10.4049/jimmunol.1800292

  View details for Web of Science ID 000455041800030

  View details for PubMedID 30530480

  View details for PubMedCentralID PMC6324976

• Ulcerative colitis mucosal transcriptomes reveal mitochondriopathy and personalized mechanisms underlying disease severity and treatment response NATURE COMMUNICATIONS Haberman, Y., Karns, R., Dexheimer, P. J., Schirmer, M., Somekh, J., Jurickova, I., Braun, T., Novak, E., Bauman, L., Collins, M. H., Mo, A., Rosen, M. J., Bonkowski, E., Gotman, N., Marquis, A., Nistel, M., Rufo, P. A., Baker, S. S., Sauer, C. G., Markowitz, J., Pfefferkorn, M. D., Rosh, J. R., Boyle, B. M., Mack, D. R., Baldassano, R. N., Shah, S., Leleiko, N. S., Heyman, M. B., Grifiths, A. M., Patel, A. S., Noe, J. D., Aronow, B. J., Kugathasan, S., Walters, T. D., Gibson, G., Thomas, S., Mollen, K., Shen-Orr, S., Huttenhower, C., Xavier, R. J., Hyams, J. S., Denson, L. A. 2019; 10: 38

  Abstract

  Molecular mechanisms driving disease course and response to therapy in ulcerative colitis (UC) are not well understood. Here, we use RNAseq to define pre-treatment rectal gene expression, and fecal microbiota profiles, in 206 pediatric UC patients receiving standardised therapy. We validate our key findings in adult and paediatric UC cohorts of 408 participants. We observe a marked suppression of mitochondrial genes and function across cohorts in active UC, and that increasing disease severity is notable for enrichment of adenoma/adenocarcinoma and innate immune genes. A subset of severity genes improves prediction of corticosteroid-induced remission in the discovery cohort; this gene signature is also associated with response to anti-TNFα and anti-α4β7 integrin in adults. The severity and therapeutic response gene signatures were in turn associated with shifts in microbes previously implicated in mucosal homeostasis. Our data provide insights into UC pathogenesis, and may prioritise future therapies for nonresponders to current approaches.

  View details for DOI 10.1038/s41467-018-07841-3

  View details for Web of Science ID 000454757200003

  View details for PubMedID 30604764

  View details for PubMedCentralID PMC6318335

• Contemporary Medical Management of Acute Severe Ulcerative Colitis INFLAMMATORY BOWEL DISEASES Whaley, K. G., Rosen, M. J. 2019; 25 (1): 56-66

  Abstract

  Acute severe ulcerative colitis is a medical emergency that requires prompt recognition, evaluation, and intervention. Patients require hospital admission with laboratory, radiographic, and endoscopic evaluation with initiation of corticosteroid treatment. Despite early intervention, many patients require salvage medical therapy, with some progressing to colectomy. Here we review important concepts and recent advances in the evaluation and medical management of adult and pediatric patients with acute severe ulcerative colitis.

  View details for DOI 10.1093/ibd/izy208

  View details for Web of Science ID 000462579400006

  View details for PubMedID 29889235

  View details for PubMedCentralID PMC6290785

• Challenges in IBD Research: Preclinical Human IBD Mechanisms. Inflammatory bowel diseases Pizarro, T. T., Stappenbeck, T. S., Rieder, F., Rosen, M. J., Colombel, J. F., Donowitz, M., Towne, J., Mazmanian, S. K., Faith, J. J., Hodin, R. A., Garrett, W. S., Fichera, A., Poritz, L. S., Cortes, C. J., Shtraizent, N., Honig, G., Snapper, S. B., Hurtado-Lorenzo, A., Salzman, N. H., Chang, E. B. 2019; 25 (Suppl 2): S5-S12

  Abstract

  Preclinical human IBD mechanisms is part of five focus areas of the Challenges in IBD research document, which also include environmental triggers, novel technologies, precision medicine and pragmatic clinical research. The Challenges in IBD research document provides a comprehensive overview of current gaps in inflammatory bowel diseases (IBD) research and delivers actionable approaches to address them. It is the result of a multidisciplinary input from scientists, clinicians, patients, and funders, and represents a valuable resource for patient centric research prioritization. In particular, the preclinical human IBD mechanisms manuscript is focused on highlighting the main research gaps in the pathophysiological understanding of human IBD. These research gap areas include: 1) triggers of immune responses; 2) intestinal epithelial homeostasis and wound repair; 3) age-specific pathophysiology; 4) disease complications; 5) heterogeneous response to treatments; and 6) determination of disease location. As an approach to address these research gaps, the prioritization of reverse translation studies is proposed in which clinical observations are the foundation for experimental IBD research in the lab, and for the identification of new therapeutic targets and biomarkers. The use of human samples in validating basic research findings and development of precision medicine solutions is also proposed. This prioritization aims to put emphasis on relevant biochemical pathways and humanized in vitro and in vivo models that extrapolate meaningfully to human IBD, to eventually yield first-in-class and effective therapies.

  View details for DOI 10.1093/ibd/izz075

  View details for PubMedID 31095706

• Microbiota-sensitive epigenetic signature predicts inflammation in Crohn's disease JCI INSIGHT Kelly, D., Kotliar, M., Woo, V., Jagannathan, S., Whitt, J., Moncivaiz, J., Aronow, B. J., Dubinsky, M. C., Hyams, J. S., Markowitz, J. F., Baldassano, R. N., Stephens, M. C., Walters, T. D., Kugathasan, S., Haberman, Y., Sundaram, N., Rosen, M. J., Helmrath, M., Karns, R., Barski, A., Denson, L. A., Alenghat, T. 2018; 3 (18)

  Abstract

  Altered response to the intestinal microbiota strongly associates with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD); however, how commensal microbial cues are integrated by the host during the pathogenesis of IBD is not understood. Epigenetics represents a potential mechanism that could enable intestinal microbes to modulate transcriptional output during the development of IBD. Here, we reveal a histone methylation signature of intestinal epithelial cells isolated from the terminal ilea of newly diagnosed pediatric IBD patients. Genes characterized by significant alterations in histone H3-lysine 4 trimethylation (H3K4me3) showed differential enrichment in pathways involving immunoregulation, cell survival and signaling, and metabolism. Interestingly, a large subset of these genes was epigenetically regulated by microbiota in mice and several microbiota-sensitive epigenetic targets demonstrated altered expression in IBD patients. Remarkably though, a substantial proportion of these genes exhibited H3K4me3 levels that correlated with the severity of intestinal inflammation in IBD, despite lacking significant differential expression. Collectively, these data uncover a previously unrecognized epigenetic profile of IBD that can be primed by commensal microbes and indicate sensitive targets in the epithelium that may underlie how microbiota predispose to subsequent intestinal inflammation and disease.

  View details for DOI 10.1172/jci.insight.122104

  View details for Web of Science ID 000445115700018

  View details for PubMedID 30232290

  View details for PubMedCentralID PMC6237229

• Validation of Neutrophil CD64 Blood Biomarkers to Detect Mucosal Inflammation in Pediatric Crohn's Disease INFLAMMATORY BOWEL DISEASES Minar, P., Jackson, K., Tsai, Y., Sucharew, H., Rosen, M. J., Denson, L. A. 2018; 24 (1): 198-208

  Abstract

  In a pilot study, neutrophil CD64 surface expression was significantly elevated in newly diagnosed, pediatric-onset Crohn's disease. We aimed to test the CD64 biomarkers (neutrophil CD64 surface expression and soluble CD64) as determinates for mucosal inflammation in a larger pediatric Crohn's cohort with the hypotheses that the CD64 biomarkers would reliably detect intestinal inflammation and correlate with endoscopic severity scores.We enrolled patients referred for colonoscopy for either suspected inflammatory bowel disease or with established Crohn's. Neutrophil CD64 index was determined by flow cytometry using a commercial kit (Leuko64, Trillium) and soluble CD64 by ELISA (LifeSpan).A total of 209 patients (72 controls, 76 new inflammatory bowel disease patients, and 61 established Crohn's) were enrolled. Both neutrophil CD64 index and soluble CD64 were significantly elevated in new Crohn's compared with controls. The area under the curve (AUC) for neutrophil CD64 index ≥1 was 0.85 (95% confidence interval, 0.77-0.92), 75% sensitive and 89% specific for new Crohn's. Comparatively, soluble CD64 ≥39 ng/mL was 92% sensitive and 85% specific (AUC, 0.93) for new Crohn's. Neutrophil CD64 index, soluble CD64, and fecal calprotectin discriminated endoscopic inactive from moderate and severe activity while soluble CD64 differentiated endoscopic mild from moderate and severe activity. Neutrophil CD64 index (r = 0.46, P < 0.001) and fecal calprotectin (r = 0.55, P < 0.001) correlated well with the Simple Endoscopic Score-Crohn's disease. Spearman correlation between the CD64 index and calprotectin was 0.39 (P < 0.001).In a large Crohn's disease cohort, we found that neutrophil CD64 index and soluble CD64 were significantly elevated during active gastrointestinal inflammation.

  View details for DOI 10.1093/ibd/izx022

  View details for Web of Science ID 000427524400021

  View details for PubMedID 29272485

  View details for PubMedCentralID PMC5831176

• MTG16 is a tumor suppressor in colitis-associated carcinoma JCI INSIGHT McDonough, E. M., Barrett, C. W., Parang, B., Mittal, M. K., Smith, J., Bradley, A. M., Choksi, Y. A., Coburn, L. A., Short, S. P., Thompson, J. J., Zhang, B., Poindexter, S. V., Fischer, M. A., Chen, X., Li, J., Revetta, F. L., Naik, R., Washington, M., Rosen, M. J., Hiebert, S. W., Wilson, K. T., Williams, C. S. 2017; 2 (16)

  View details for DOI 10.1172/jci.insight.78210

  View details for Web of Science ID 000407798400001

• MTG16 is a tumor suppressor in colitis-associated carcinoma. JCI insight McDonough, E. M., Barrett, C. W., Parang, B., Mittal, M. K., Smith, J. J., Bradley, A. M., Choksi, Y. A., Coburn, L. A., Short, S. P., Thompson, J. J., Zhang, B., Poindexter, S. V., Fischer, M. A., Chen, X., Li, J., Revetta, F. L., Naik, R., Washington, M. K., Rosen, M. J., Hiebert, S. W., Wilson, K. T., Williams, C. S. 2017; 2 (16)

  Abstract

  MTG16 is a member of the myeloid translocation gene (MTG) family of transcriptional corepressors. While MTGs were originally identified in chromosomal translocations in acute myeloid leukemia, recent studies have uncovered a role in intestinal biology. For example, Mtg16-/- mice have increased intestinal proliferation and are more sensitive to intestinal injury in colitis models. MTG16 is also underexpressed in patients with moderate/severe ulcerative colitis. Based on these findings, we postulated that MTG16 might protect against colitis-associated carcinogenesis. MTG16 was downregulated at the protein and RNA levels in patients with inflammatory bowel disease and in those with colitis-associated carcinoma. Mtg16-/- mice subjected to inflammatory carcinogenesis modeling exhibited worse colitis and increased tumor multiplicity and size. Loss of MTG16 also increased severity of dysplasia, apoptosis, proliferation, DNA damage, and WNT signaling. Moreover, transplantation of WT marrow into Mtg16-/- mice failed to rescue the Mtg16-/- protumorigenic phenotypes, indicating an epithelium-specific role for MTG16. While MTG dysfunction is widely appreciated in hematopoietic malignancies, the role of this gene family in epithelial homeostasis, and in colon cancer, was unrealized. This report identifies MTG16 as an important modulator of colitis and tumor development in inflammatory carcinogenesis.

  View details for DOI 10.1172/jci.insight.78210

  View details for PubMedID 28814670

  View details for PubMedCentralID PMC5621889

• Mucosal Expression of Type 2 and Type 17 Immune Response Genes Distinguishes Ulcerative Colitis From Colon-Only Crohn's Disease in Treatment-Naive Pediatric Patients GASTROENTEROLOGY Rosen, M. J., Karns, R., Vallance, J. E., Bezold, R., Waddell, A., Collins, M. H., Haberman, Y., Minar, P., Baldassano, R. N., Hyams, J. S., Baker, S. S., Kellermayer, R., Noe, J. D., Griffiths, A. M., Rosh, J. R., Crandall, W. V., Heyman, M. B., Mack, D. R., Kappelman, M. D., Markowitz, J., Moulton, D. E., Leleiko, N. S., Walters, T. D., Kugathasan, S., Wilson, K. T., Hogan, S. P., Denson, L. A. 2017; 152 (6): 1345-+

  Abstract

  There is controversy regarding the role of the type 2 immune response in the pathogenesis of ulcerative colitis (UC)-few data are available from treatment-naive patients. We investigated whether genes associated with a type 2 immune response in the intestinal mucosa are up-regulated in treatment-naive pediatric patients with UC compared with patients with Crohn's disease (CD)-associated colitis or without inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), and whether expression levels are associated with clinical outcomes.We used a real-time reverse-transcription quantitative polymerase chain reaction array to analyze messenger RNA (mRNA) expression patterns in rectal mucosal samples from 138 treatment-naive pediatric patients with IBD and macroscopic rectal disease, as well as those from 49 children without IBD (controls), enrolled in a multicenter prospective observational study from 2008 to 2012. Results were validated in real-time reverse-transcription quantitative polymerase chain reaction analyses of rectal RNA from an independent cohort of 34 pediatric patients with IBD and macroscopic rectal disease and 17 controls from Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center.We measured significant increases in mRNAs associated with a type 2 immune response (interleukin [IL]5 gene, IL13, and IL13RA2) and a type 17 immune response (IL17A and IL23) in mucosal samples from patients with UC compared with patients with colon-only CD. In a regression model, increased expression of IL5 and IL17A mRNAs distinguished patients with UC from patients with colon-only CD (P = .001; area under the receiver operating characteristic curve, 0.72). We identified a gene expression pattern in rectal tissues of patients with UC, characterized by detection of IL13 mRNA, that predicted clinical response to therapy after 6 months (odds ratio [OR], 6.469; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.553-26.94), clinical response after 12 months (OR, 6.125; 95% CI, 1.330-28.22), and remission after 12 months (OR, 5.333; 95% CI, 1.132-25.12).In an analysis of rectal tissues from treatment-naive pediatric patients with IBD, we observed activation of a type 2 immune response during the early course of UC. We were able to distinguish patients with UC from those with colon-only CD based on increased mucosal expression of genes that mediate type 2 and type 17 immune responses. Increased expression at diagnosis of genes that mediate a type 2 immune response is associated with response to therapy and remission in pediatric patients with UC.

  View details for DOI 10.1053/j.gastro.2017.01.016

  View details for Web of Science ID 000401811300028

  View details for PubMedID 28132889

  View details for PubMedCentralID PMC5406257

• Activation of TGF-beta activated kinase 1 promotes colon mucosal pathogenesis in inflammatory bowel disease PHYSIOLOGICAL REPORTS Liu, Z., Kong, F., Vallance, J. E., Harmel-Laws, E., Amarachintha, S., Steinbrecher, K. A., Rosen, M. J., Bhattacharyya, S. 2017; 5 (7)

  Abstract

  The etiology and mechanisms for inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) are incompletely known. Determination of new, clinically important mechanisms for intestinal inflammation is imperative for developing effective therapies to treat IBD We sought to define a widespread mechanism for colon mucosal inflammation via the activation of TGF-β activated Kinase 1 (TAK1), a central regulator of cellular inflammatory actions. Activation of TAK1 and the downstream inflammatory signaling mediators was determined in pediatric patients with ulcerative colitis (UC) or Crohn's disease (CD) as well as in DSS-induced and spontaneous IBD in mice. The role of TAK1 in facilitating intestinal inflammation in murine models of IBD was investigated by using (5Z)-7-Oxozeaenol, a highly selective pharmacological inhibitor of TAK1. We found hyper-activation of TAK1 in patients with UC or CD and in murine models of IBD Pharmacological inhibition of TAK1 prevented loss in body weight, disease activity, microscopic histopathology, infiltration of inflammatory cells in the colon mucosa, and elevated proinflammatory cytokine production in two murine models of IBD We demonstrated that at the early phase of the disease activation of TAK1 is restricted in the epithelial cells. However, at a more advanced stage of the disease, TAK1 activation predominantly occurs in nonepithelial cells, especially in macrophages. These findings elucidate the activation of TAK1 as crucial in promoting intestinal inflammation. Thus, the TAK1 activation pathway may represent a suitable target to design new therapies for treating IBD in humans.

  View details for DOI 10.14814/phy2.13181

  View details for Web of Science ID 000399683800006

  View details for PubMedID 28373409

  View details for PubMedCentralID PMC5392505

• A Low Neutrophil CD64 Index Is Associated with Sustained Remission During Infliximab Maintenance Therapy INFLAMMATORY BOWEL DISEASES Minar, P., Jackson, K., Tsai, Y., Rosen, M. J., Northcutt, M., Khodoun, M., Finkelman, F. D., Denson, L. A. 2016; 22 (11): 2641-2647

  Abstract

  We have previously shown that CD64 surface expression on circulating neutrophils is significantly elevated in children with newly diagnosed Crohn's disease (CD). Our primary aim was to investigate whether elevations in neutrophil CD64 in asymptomatic patients could be used to predict treatment failure during maintenance infliximab.Pediatric CD subjects receiving maintenance infliximab in clinical remission (short pediatric CD activity index [shPCDAI] <15) were enrolled. We measured neutrophil CD64 expression (CD64 index, Trillium Diagnostics, LLC) and infliximab trough concentrations. Infliximab failure was defined as an shPCDAI >15 on 2 consecutive infusions, discontinuation of infliximab, hospitalization, endoscopic ulcerations, or surgery during the following year of maintenance infliximab.We enrolled 36 subjects, 22/36 were male and 29/36 were white. Mean (SD) age at study entry was 15 (4) years with a median of 14 (5-20) infusions before study entry. 4/36 were receiving a concurrent immunomodulator. Over 1 year, 15/36 subjects were classified as infliximab failures. Asymptomatic subjects with a neutrophil CD64 index >1 at study entry had a higher probability of treatment failure compared with asymptomatic subjects with a CD64 index <1 (log-rank = 0.002). We found only neutrophil CD64 index >1 and nonwhite race were risk factors for treatment failure by univariate regression analysis. We found no difference in the mean infliximab trough concentration at study entry between treatment failures (2.8 μg/mL, SD, 1.2) and subjects remaining in remission on infliximab (4.2 μg/mL, SD, 3.4; P = 0.17).Neutrophil CD64 index >1 is a significant risk factor for treatment failure during infliximab maintenance therapy.

  View details for DOI 10.1097/MIB.0000000000000922

  View details for Web of Science ID 000387248500017

  View details for PubMedID 27749455

  View details for PubMedCentralID PMC5117809

• IL-33 Signaling Protects from Murine Oxazolone Colitis by Supporting Intestinal Epithelial Function INFLAMMATORY BOWEL DISEASES Waddell, A., Vallance, J. E., Moore, P. D., Hummel, A. T., Wu, D., Shanmukhappa, S. K., Fei, L., Washington, M., Minar, P., Coburn, L. A., Nakae, S., Wilson, K. T., Denson, L. A., Hogan, S. P., Rosen, M. J. 2015; 21 (12): 2737-2746

  Abstract

  IL-33, a member of the IL-1 cytokine family that signals through ST2, is upregulated in ulcerative colitis (UC); however, the role of IL-33 in colitis remains unclear. IL-33 augments type 2 immune responses, which have been implicated in UC pathogenesis. We sought to determine the role of IL-33 signaling in oxazolone (OXA) colitis, a type 2 cytokine-mediated murine model of UC.Colon mucosal IL-33 expression was compared between pediatric and adult UC and non-IBD patients using immunohistochemistry and real-time PCR. OXA colitis was induced in WT, IL-33, and ST2 mice, and histopathology, cytokine levels, and goblet cells were assessed. Transepithelial resistance was measured across IL-33-treated T84 cell monolayers.Colon mucosal IL-33 was increased in pediatric patients with active UC and in OXA colitis. IL-33 and ST2 OXA mice exhibited increased disease severity compared with WT OXA mice. OXA induced a mixed mucosal cytokine response, but few differences were observed between OXA WT and IL-33 or ST2 mice. Goblet cells were significantly decreased in IL-33 and ST2 OXA compared with WT OXA mice. IL-33 augmented transepithelial resistance in T84 cells, and this effect was blocked by the ERK1/2 inhibitor PD98,059.OXA colitis is exacerbated in IL-33 and ST2 mice. Increased mucosal IL-33 in human UC and murine colitis may be a homeostatic response to limit inflammation, potentially through effects on epithelial barrier function. Further investigation of IL-33 protective mechanisms would inform the development of novel therapeutic approaches.

  View details for DOI 10.1097/MIB.0000000000000532

  View details for Web of Science ID 000365593500001

  View details for PubMedID 26313694

  View details for PubMedCentralID PMC4654638

• Inflammatory Bowel Disease in Children and Adolescents JAMA PEDIATRICS Rosen, M. J., Dhawan, A., Saeed, S. A. 2015; 169 (11): 1053-1060

  Abstract

  The inflammatory bowel diseases (IBDs), including ulcerative colitis and Crohn disease, are chronic inflammatory disorders of the gastrointestinal tract most often diagnosed in adolescence and young adulthood, with a rising incidence in pediatric populations. These disorders are common enough in children that most pediatricians and other pediatric clinicians will encounter children with IBD in their general practice. Inflammatory bowel disease is caused by a dysregulated mucosal immune response to the intestinal microflora in genetically predisposed hosts. Although children can present with the classic symptoms of weight loss, abdominal pain, and bloody diarrhea, many present with nonclassic symptoms of isolated poor growth, anemia, or other extraintestinal manifestations. Once IBD is diagnosed, the goals of therapy consist of eliminating symptoms, normalizing quality of life, restoring growth, and preventing complications while minimizing the adverse effects of medications. Unique considerations when treating children and adolescents with IBD include attention to the effects of the disease on growth and development, bone health, and psychosocial functioning. The purpose of this review is to provide a contemporary overview of the epidemiologic features, pathogenesis, diagnosis, and management of IBD in children and adolescents.

  View details for DOI 10.1001/jamapediatrics.2015.1982

  View details for Web of Science ID 000364430000016

  View details for PubMedID 26414706

  View details for PubMedCentralID PMC4702263

• Treatment with immunosuppressive therapy may improve depressive symptoms in patients with inflammatory bowel disease. Digestive diseases and sciences Horst, S., Chao, A., Rosen, M., Nohl, A., Duley, C., Wagnon, J. H., Beaulieu, D. B., Taylor, W., Gaines, L., Schwartz, D. A. 2015; 60 (2): 465-70

  Abstract

  Recent research suggests a relationship of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) and depression. Our objective was to evaluate for improvement of depressive symptoms with treatment of IBD using immunosuppressive medications.A retrospective study of consecutive patients with IBD started on immunosuppressive agents [anti-tumor necrosis factor (anti-TNF) or immunomodulator therapy] was conducted. Patients were evaluated if disease activity indices using Harvey Bradshaw Index for Crohn's disease (CD) and Simple Clinical Colitis Disease Activity Index for ulcerative colitis (UC) and depressive indices using Patient Health Questionnaire-9 (PHQ-9) scores were obtained before and at least 30 days after initiation of therapy.Sixteen patients with UC and 53 patients with CD (all with active disease symptoms) were evaluated over a 60 day median follow-up evaluation (range 30, 140 days). Twenty-two patients started on immunomodulator therapy, and 47 patients started on anti-TNF therapy. Crohn's disease patients had significantly decreased PHQ-9 scores at follow-up [median 9 (range 3, 14) to 4 (1, 8)], with significant decreases only in those started on anti-TNF therapy. Changes in PHQ-9 and CRP were correlated (ρ = 0.38, p < 0.05). In patients with UC, PHQ-9 scores [5 (3, 9) to 2 (0, 5)] were significantly decreased. Percentage at risk of moderate to severe depression (PHQ-9 scores ≥10) was lower after treatment [Crohn's disease 51-18 % (p < 0.05), ulcerative colitis 18-0 %].Depressive scores decreased significantly in patients with IBD treated with immunosuppressive therapy and the number at risk for moderate to severe depression improved significantly.

  View details for DOI 10.1007/s10620-014-3375-0

  View details for PubMedID 25274158

• Letter: stool adalimumab detection in ulcerative colitis and Crohn's disease--authors' reply. Alimentary pharmacology & therapeutics Rosen, M. J., Minar, P., Vinks, A. A. 2015; 42 (2): 241

  View details for DOI 10.1111/apt.13262

  View details for PubMedID 26081689

• Endoscopic Diagnosis of Duodenal Stenosis in a 5-Month-Old Male Infant CLINICAL ENDOSCOPY Nicholson, M. R., Acra, S. A., Chung, D. H., Rosen, M. J. 2014; 47 (6): 568-570

  Abstract

  Duodenal stenosis and duodenal atresia are well-known gastrointestinal anomalies in patients with Down syndrome. Although duodenal atresia presents early and classically with vomiting in the immediate neonatal period, the presentation of duodenal stenosis can be significantly more subtle and the diagnosis delayed. Here, we describe the case of a 5-month-old male infant with Down syndrome and delayed presentation of high-grade duodenal stenosis diagnosed endoscopically. Pediatric gastroenterologists should include duodenal stenosis in the differential diagnosis of older infants and children with vomiting and should be familiar with the endoscopic appearance of this lesion.

  View details for DOI 10.5946/ce.2014.47.6.568

  View details for Web of Science ID 000410057300016

  View details for PubMedID 25505725

  View details for PubMedCentralID PMC4260107

• Small Intestinal Intraepithelial TCR gamma delta(+) T Lymphocytes Are Present in the Premature Intestine but Selectively Reduced in Surgical Necrotizing Enterocolitis (vol 9, e99042, 2014) PLOS ONE Weitkamp, J., Rosen, M. J., Zhao, Z., Koyama, T., Geem, D. 2014; 9 (8): e99042

  Abstract

  Gastrointestinal barrier immaturity predisposes preterm infants to necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC). Intraepithelial lymphocytes (IEL) bearing the unconventional T cell receptor (TCR) γδ (γδ IEL) maintain intestinal integrity and prevent bacterial translocation in part through production of interleukin (IL) 17.We sought to study the development of γδ IEL in the ileum of human infants and examine their role in NEC pathogenesis. We defined the ontogeny of γδ IEL proportions in murine and human intestine and subjected tcrδ-/- mice to experimental gut injury. In addition, we used polychromatic flow cytometry to calculate percentages of viable IEL (defined as CD3+ CD8+ CD103+ lymphocytes) and the fraction of γδ IEL in surgically resected tissue from infants with NEC and gestational age matched non-NEC surgical controls.In human preterm infants, the proportion of IEL was reduced by 66% in 11 NEC ileum resections compared to 30 non-NEC controls (p<0.001). While γδ IEL dominated over conventional αβ IEL early in gestation in mice and in humans, γδ IEL were preferential decreased in the ileum of surgical NEC patients compared to non-NEC controls (50% reduction, p<0.05). Loss of IEL in human NEC was associated with downregulation of the Th17 transcription factor retinoic acid-related orphan nuclear hormone receptor C (RORC, p<0.001). TCRδ-deficient mice showed increased severity of experimental gut injury (p<0.05) with higher TNFα expression but downregulation of IL17A.Complimentary mouse and human data suggest a role of γδ IEL in IL17 production and intestinal barrier production early in life. Specific loss of the γδ IEL fraction may contribute to NEC pathogenesis. Nutritional or pharmacological interventions to support γδ IEL maintenance in the developing small intestine could serve as novel strategies for NEC prevention.

  View details for DOI 10.1371/journal.pone.0105487

  View details for Web of Science ID 000339995100097

  View details for PubMedID 24905458

  View details for PubMedCentralID PMC4048281

• Small Intestinal Intraepithelial TCR gamma delta(+) T Lymphocytes Are Present in the Premature Intestine but Selectively Reduced in Surgical Necrotizing Enterocolitis PLOS ONE Weitkamp, J., Rosen, M. J., Zhao, Z., Koyama, T., Geem, D., Denning, T. L., Rock, M. T., Moore, D. J., Halpern, M. D., Matta, P., Denning, P. W. 2014; 9 (6)

  View details for DOI 10.1371/journal.pone.0099042

  View details for Web of Science ID 000341869000098

• Outcomes following infliximab therapy for pediatric patients hospitalized with refractory colitis-predominant IBD. Journal of pediatric gastroenterology and nutrition Falaiye, T. O., Mitchell, K. R., Lu, Z., Saville, B. R., Horst, S. N., Moulton, D. E., Schwartz, D. A., Wilson, K. T., Rosen, M. J. 2014; 58 (2): 213-9

  Abstract

  Although randomized trials demonstrated the efficacy of infliximab for both pediatric Crohn disease and ulcerative colitis (UC), few patients in these studies exhibited colitis requiring hospitalization. The aims of this study were to determine the rate of subsequent infliximab failure and dose escalation in pediatric patients who started taking infliximab during hospitalization for colitis-predominant IBD, and to identify potential predictors of these endpoints.This is a single-center retrospective cohort study of patients admitted from 2005 to 2010 with Crohn colitis, UC, or IBD-unspecified (IBD-U) and initiated on infliximab.We identified 29 patients (12 Crohn colitis, 15 UC, and 2 IBD-U; median age 14 years) with a median follow-up of 923 days. Eighteen patients (62%) required infliximab dose escalation (increased dose or decreased infusion interval). Infliximab failure occurred in 18 patients (62%) because of ineffectiveness in 12 (67%) and adverse reactions in 6 (33%). Twelve patients (41%) underwent colectomy. Subsequent need for infliximab dose escalation was associated with lower body mass index z score (P = 0.01), lower serum albumin (P = 0.03), and higher erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR) (P = 0.002) at baseline. ESR predicted subsequent infliximab dose escalation with an area under the curve of 0.89 (95% confidence interval [CI] 0.72-1.00) and a sensitivity and specificity at a cutoff of 38 mm/hour of 0.79 (95% CI 0.49-0.95) and 0.88 (95% CI 0.47-0.99), respectively.Most hospitalized pediatric patients with colitis treated with infliximab require early-dose escalation and fail the drug long term. Low body mass index and albumin and high ESR, may identify patients who would benefit from a higher infliximab starting dose.

  View details for DOI 10.1097/MPG.0b013e3182a98df2

  View details for PubMedID 24048170

  View details for PubMedCentralID PMC3946904

• Activation of the epidermal growth factor receptor in macrophages regulates cytokine production and experimental colitis. Journal of immunology (Baltimore, Md. : 1950) Lu, N., Wang, L., Cao, H., Liu, L., Van Kaer, L., Washington, M. K., Rosen, M. J., Dubé, P. E., Wilson, K. T., Ren, X., Hao, X., Polk, D. B., Yan, F. 2014; 192 (3): 1013-23

  Abstract

  Macrophages regulate innate immunity to maintain intestinal homeostasis and play pathological roles in intestinal inflammation. Activation of the epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) promotes cellular proliferation, differentiation, survival, and wound closure in several cell types. However, the impact of EGFR in macrophages remains unclear. This study was to investigate whether EGFR activation in macrophages regulates cytokine production and intestinal inflammation. We found that EGFR was activated in colonic macrophages in mice with dextran sulfate sodium (DSS)-induced colitis and in patients with ulcerative colitis. DSS-induced acute colitis was ameliorated, and recovery from colitis was promoted in Egfr(fl/fl)LysM-Cre mice with myeloid cell-specific deletion of EGFR, compared with LysM-Cre mice. DSS treatment increased IL-10 and TNF levels during the acute phase of colitis, and increased IL-10 but reduced TNF levels during the recovery phase in Egfr(fl/fl)LysM-Cre mice. An anti-IL-10 neutralizing Ab abolished these effects of macrophage-specific EGFR deletion on DSS-induced colitis in Egfr(fl/fl)LysM-Cre mice. LPS stimulated EGFR activation and inhibition of EGFR kinase activity enhanced LPS-stimulated NF-κB activation in RAW 264.7 macrophages. Furthermore, induction of IL-10 production by EGFR kinase-blocked RAW 264.7 cells, in response to LPS plus IFN-γ, correlated with decreased TNF production. Thus, although selective deletion of EGFR in macrophages leads to increases in both pro- and anti-inflammatory cytokines in response to inflammatory stimuli, the increase in the IL-10 level plays a role in suppressing proinflammatory cytokine production, resulting in protection of mice from intestinal inflammation. These results reveal an integrated response of macrophages regulated by EGFR in intestinal inflammatory disorders.

  View details for DOI 10.4049/jimmunol.1300133

  View details for PubMedID 24391216

  View details for PubMedCentralID PMC4006992

• STAT6 Deficiency Ameliorates Severity of Oxazolone Colitis by Decreasing Expression of Claudin-2 and Th2-Inducing Cytokines JOURNAL OF IMMUNOLOGY Rosen, M. J., Chaturvedi, R., Washington, M. K., Kuhnhein, L. A., Moore, P. D., Coggeshall, S. S., McDonough, E. M., Weitkamp, J., Singh, A. B., Coburn, L. A., Williams, C. S., Yan, F., Van Kaer, L., Peebles, R. S., Wilson, K. T. 2013; 190 (4): 1849-1858

  Abstract

  Patients suffering from ulcerative colitis (UC) exhibit chronic colonic inflammation caused by a dysregulated mucosal immune response and epithelial barrier disruption. Th2 cytokines, including IL-13, have been implicated in the pathogenesis of UC. IL-13 induces phosphorylation of STAT6, and we previously demonstrated increased epithelial p-STAT6 in children with UC. In this study, we investigated the role of STAT6 in oxazolone colitis, a murine model of UC, by inducing colitis in STAT6-deficient (STAT6(-/-)) and wild type (WT) mice. We observed increased epithelial cell, T cell, macrophage, and NKT cell STAT6 phosphorylation, as well as increased p-STAT6(+) IL-13-producing NKT cells, in colitic WT mice. Colitis was attenuated in STAT6(-/-) mice, with improvements in weight, colon length, and histopathology. There was decreased induction of the pore-forming tight junction protein claudin-2 in STAT6(-/-) mice. Similarly, short hairpin RNA STAT6 knockdown reduced claudin-2 induction and transepithelial resistance decrease in IL-13-treated human T84 cells. Tissue expression of IL-13, IFN-γ, IL-17, and IL-10 mRNA was similarly induced in WT and STAT6(-/-) colitic mice; however, we observed increased mRNA expression for the Th2-inducing cytokines IL-33 and thymic stromal lymphopoietin in WT mice with colitis, which was abrogated in STAT6(-/-) mice. Mesenteric lymph node cells from STAT6(-/-) mice with colitis exhibited reduced secretion of IL-4, IL-5, IL-13, and IFN-γ. IL-33 augmented mesenteric lymph node cell secretion of IL-5, IL-13, IL-6, and IFN-γ. These data implicate STAT6 in the pathogenesis of colitis in vivo with important roles in altering epithelial barrier function and regulating Th2-inducing cytokine production.

  View details for DOI 10.4049/jimmunol.1201373

  View details for Web of Science ID 000314825400048

  View details for PubMedID 23303670

  View details for PubMedCentralID PMC3563924

• High-throughput multi-analyte Luminex profiling implicates eotaxin-1 in ulcerative colitis. PloS one Coburn, L. A., Horst, S. N., Chaturvedi, R., Brown, C. T., Allaman, M. M., Scull, B. P., Singh, K., Piazuelo, M. B., Chitnavis, M. V., Hodges, M. E., Rosen, M. J., Williams, C. S., Slaughter, J. C., Beaulieu, D. B., Schwartz, D. A., Wilson, K. T. 2013; 8 (12): e82300

  Abstract

  Accurate and high-throughput technologies are needed for identification of new therapeutic targets and for optimizing therapy in inflammatory bowel disease. Our aim was to assess multi-analyte protein-based assays of cytokines/chemokines using Luminex technology. We have reported that Luminex-based profiling was useful in assessing response to L-arginine therapy in the mouse model of dextran sulfate sodium colitis. Therefore, we studied prospectively collected samples from ulcerative colitis (UC) patients and control subjects. Serum, colon biopsies, and clinical information were obtained from subjects undergoing colonoscopy for evaluation of UC or for non-UC indications. In total, 38 normal controls and 137 UC cases completed the study. Histologic disease severity and the Mayo Disease Activity Index (DAI) were assessed. Serum and colonic tissue cytokine/chemokine profiles were measured by Luminex-based multiplex testing of 42 analytes. Only eotaxin-1 and G-CSF were increased in serum of patients with histologically active UC vs. controls. While 13 cytokines/chemokines were increased in active UC vs. controls in tissues, only eotaxin-1 was increased in all levels of active disease in both serum and tissue. In tissues, eotaxin-1 correlated with the DAI and with eosinophil counts. Increased eotaxin-1 levels were confirmed by real-time PCR. Tissue eotaxin-1 levels were also increased in experimental murine colitis induced by dextran sulfate sodium, oxazolone, or Citrobacter rodentium, but not in murine Helicobacter pylori infection. Our data implicate eotaxin-1 as an etiologic factor and therapeutic target in UC, and indicate that Luminex-based assays may be useful to assess IBD pathogenesis and to select patients for anti-cytokine/chemokine therapies.

  View details for DOI 10.1371/journal.pone.0082300

  View details for PubMedID 24367513

  View details for PubMedCentralID PMC3867379

• Necrotising enterocolitis is characterised by disrupted immune regulation and diminished mucosal regulatory (FOXP3)/effector (CD4, CD8) T cell ratios. Gut Weitkamp, J. H., Koyama, T., Rock, M. T., Correa, H., Goettel, J. A., Matta, P., Oswald-Richter, K., Rosen, M. J., Engelhardt, B. G., Moore, D. J., Polk, D. B. 2013; 62 (1): 73-82

  Abstract

  Necrotising enterocolitis (NEC) is the most common gastrointestinal emergency in premature infants. Immaturity of gastrointestinal immune regulation may predispose preterm infants to NEC as FOXP3 T regulatory cells (Treg) are critical for intestinal immune homoeostasis.To investigate the hypothesis that abnormal developmental regulation of lamina propria Treg would define premature infants with NEC.Lamina propria mononuclear cell populations from surgically resected ileum from 18 patients with NEC and 30 gestational age-matched non-NEC surgical controls were prospectively isolated. Polychromatic flow cytometry was performed to phenotype and analyse lamina propria T cell populations. The cytokine gene expression profile in NEC tissue was compared with that of non-NEC controls.The total number of Treg, CD4, or CD8 T cells in each ileum section was independent of gestational age, age or postmenstrual age and similar between patients with NEC and controls. In contrast, the ratio of Treg to CD4 T cells or Treg to CD8 T cells was significantly lower in NEC ileum than in infants without NEC (medians 2.9% vs 6.6%, p=0.001 and medians 6.6% vs 25.9%, p<0.001, respectively). For any given number of CD4 or CD8 T cells, Treg were, on average, 60% lower in NEC ileum than in controls. NEC tissue cytokine gene expression profiles were characteristic of inhibited Treg development or function. Treg/CD4 and Treg/CD8 ratios recovered between initial resection for NEC and reanastomosis.The proportion of lamina propria Treg is significantly reduced in the ileum of premature infants with NEC and may contribute to the excessive inflammatory state of this disease.

  View details for DOI 10.1136/gutjnl-2011-301551

  View details for PubMedID 22267598

  View details for PubMedCentralID PMC3606820

• Deletion of cationic amino acid transporter 2 exacerbates dextran sulfate sodium colitis and leads to an IL-17-predominant T cell response. American journal of physiology. Gastrointestinal and liver physiology Singh, K., Coburn, L. A., Barry, D. P., Asim, M., Scull, B. P., Allaman, M. M., Lewis, N. D., Washington, M. K., Rosen, M. J., Williams, C. S., Chaturvedi, R., Wilson, K. T. 2013; 305 (3): G225-40

  Abstract

  L-Arginine (L-Arg) is a semiessential amino acid that has altered availability in human ulcerative colitis (UC), a form of inflammatory bowel disease, and is beneficial in murine colitis induced by dextran sulfate sodium (DSS), a model with similarity to UC. We assessed the role of cationic amino acid transporter 2 (CAT2), the inducible transporter of L-Arg, in DSS colitis. Expression of CAT2 was upregulated in tissues from colitic mice and localized predominantly to colonic macrophages. CAT2-deficient (CAT2-/-) mice exposed to DSS exhibited worsening of survival, body weight loss, colon weight, and histological injury. These effects were associated with increased serum L-Arg and decreased tissue L-Arg uptake and inducible nitric oxide synthase protein expression. Clinical benefits of L-Arg supplementation in wild-type mice were lost in CAT2-/- mice. There was increased infiltration of macrophages, dendritic cells, granulocytes, and T cells in colitic CAT2-/- compared with wild-type mice. Cytokine profiling revealed increases in proinflammatory granulocyte colony-stimulating factor, macrophage inflammatory protein-1α, IL-15, and regulated and normal T cell-expressed and -secreted and a shift from an IFN-γ- to an IL-17-predominant T cell response, as well as an increase in IL-13, in tissues from colitic CAT2-/- mice. However, there were no increases in other T helper cell type 2 cytokines, nor was there a global increase in macrophage-derived proinflammatory cytokines. The increase in IL-17 derived from both CD4 and γδ T cells and was associated with colonic IL-6 expression. Thus CAT2 plays an important role in controlling inflammation and IL-17 activation in an injury model of colitis, and impaired L-Arg availability may contribute to UC pathogenesis.

  View details for DOI 10.1152/ajpgi.00091.2013

  View details for PubMedID 23703655

  View details for PubMedCentralID PMC3742860

• Transactivation of EGFR by LPS induces COX-2 expression in enterocytes. PloS one McElroy, S. J., Hobbs, S., Kallen, M., Tejera, N., Rosen, M. J., Grishin, A., Matta, P., Schneider, C., Upperman, J., Ford, H., Polk, D. B., Weitkamp, J. H. 2012; 7 (5): e38373

  Abstract

  Necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC) is the leading cause of gastrointestinal morbidity and mortality in preterm infants. NEC is characterized by an exaggerated inflammatory response to bacterial flora leading to bowel necrosis. Bacterial lipopolysaccharide (LPS) mediates inflammation through TLR4 activation and is a key molecule in the pathogenesis of NEC. However, LPS also induces cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2), which promotes intestinal barrier restitution through stimulation of intestinal cell survival, proliferation, and migration. Epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) activation prevents experimental NEC and may play a critical role in LPS-stimulated COX-2 production. We hypothesized that EGFR is required for LPS induction of COX-2 expression. Our data show that inhibiting EGFR kinase activity blocks LPS-induced COX-2 expression in small intestinal epithelial cells. LPS induction of COX-2 requires Src-family kinase signaling while LPS transactivation of EGFR requires matrix metalloprotease (MMP) activity. EGFR tyrosine kinase inhibitors block LPS stimulation of mitogen-activated protein kinase ERK, suggesting an important role of the MAPK/ERK pathway in EGFR-mediated COX-2 expression. LPS stimulates proliferation of IEC-6 cells, but this stimulation is inhibited with either the EGFR kinase inhibitor AG1478, or the selective COX-2 inhibitor Celecoxib. Taken together, these data show that EGFR plays an important role in LPS-induction of COX-2 expression in enterocytes, which may be one mechanism for EGF in inhibition of NEC.

  View details for DOI 10.1371/journal.pone.0038373

  View details for PubMedID 22675459

  View details for PubMedCentralID PMC3364993

• Mycophenolate mofetil-related enterocolitis and weight loss: a pediatric case series. Case reports in pediatrics Dykes, D. M., Moore, S. R., Polk, D. B., Rosen, M. J., Wills, M. L., Morris, B., Maclin, J. S., Nogueira, J., Katz, A., Hunley, T. E., Pugh, J., Saeed, S. 2012; 2012: 624168

  Abstract

  Mycophenolate mofetil (MMF) is an immunosuppressive medication utilized in the management of both autoimmune and solid organ transplant patients. Diarrhea is a common gastrointestinal side effect of MMF, but more severe forms of GI symptoms are described in renal transplant patients with a distinct pattern of histopathologic change, similar to graft-versus-host disease or Crohn's disease. This rare entity, commonly referred to as "MMF-related enterocolitis," has been described in adult patients, mostly in renal transplant patients, and in only two pediatric renal transplant patients. In previously reported cases, symptoms and abnormal histopathology improve with dose reduction of MMF. We describe a series of three pediatric patients with varied underlying disease process who presented with severe diarrhea and histopathologic findings characteristic of MMF-related enterocolitis, who share a novel finding of weight loss as a complication of MMF-related enterocolitis in pediatric patients.

  View details for DOI 10.1155/2012/624168

  View details for PubMedID 23133776

  View details for PubMedCentralID PMC3485763

• Commentaries on "Workshop report: developing a pediatric inflammatory bowel diseases network and data platform in Canada": pediatric inflammatory bowel disease networks: raising the bar. Journal of pediatric gastroenterology and nutrition Rosen, M. J., Denson, L. A., Kugathasan, S. 2012; 55 (2): 121-2

  View details for DOI 10.1097/MPG.0b013e3182605070

  View details for PubMedID 22659890

• L-arginine supplementation improves responses to injury and inflammation in dextran sulfate sodium colitis. PloS one Coburn, L. A., Gong, X., Singh, K., Asim, M., Scull, B. P., Allaman, M. M., Williams, C. S., Rosen, M. J., Washington, M. K., Barry, D. P., Piazuelo, M. B., Casero, R. A., Chaturvedi, R., Zhao, Z., Wilson, K. T. 2012; 7 (3): e33546

  Abstract

  Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), consisting of Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis (UC), results in substantial morbidity and is difficult to treat. New strategies for adjunct therapies are needed. One candidate is the semi-essential amino acid, L-arginine (L-Arg), a complementary medicine purported to be an enhancer of immunity and vitality in the lay media. Using dextran sulfate sodium (DSS) as a murine colonic injury and repair model with similarities to human UC, we assessed the effect of L-Arg, as DSS induced increases in colonic expression of the y(+) cationic amino acid transporter 2 (CAT2) and L-Arg uptake. L-Arg supplementation improved the clinical parameters of survival, body weight loss, and colon weight, and reduced colonic permeability and the number of myeloperoxidase-positive neutrophils in DSS colitis. Luminex-based multi-analyte profiling demonstrated that there was a marked reduction in proinflammatory cytokine and chemokine expression with L-Arg treatment. Genomic analysis by microarray demonstrated that DSS-treated mice supplemented with L-Arg clustered more closely with mice not exposed to DSS than to those receiving DSS alone, and revealed that multiple genes that were upregulated or downregulated with DSS alone exhibited normalization of expression with L-Arg supplementation. Additionally, L-Arg treatment of mice with DSS colitis resulted in increased ex vivo migration of colonic epithelial cells, suggestive of increased capacity for wound repair. Because CAT2 induction was sustained during L-Arg treatment and inducible nitric oxide (NO) synthase (iNOS) requires uptake of L-Arg for generation of NO, we tested the effect of L-Arg in iNOS(-/-) mice and found that its benefits in DSS colitis were eliminated. These preclinical studies indicate that L-Arg supplementation could be a potential therapy for IBD, and that one mechanism of action may be functional enhancement of iNOS activity.

  View details for DOI 10.1371/journal.pone.0033546

  View details for PubMedID 22428068

  View details for PubMedCentralID PMC3299802

• 15-year-old girl with metaplastic atrophic gastritis and enterochromaffin-like cell hyperplasia. Journal of pediatric gastroenterology and nutrition Russell, A. C., Black, J. O., Schwartz, D. A., Correa, H., Rosen, M. J. 2012; 55 (6): e148-51

  View details for DOI 10.1097/MPG.0b013e318242da36

  View details for PubMedID 22134551

• STAT6 activation in ulcerative colitis: a new target for prevention of IL-13-induced colon epithelial cell dysfunction. Inflammatory bowel diseases Rosen, M. J., Frey, M. R., Washington, M. K., Chaturvedi, R., Kuhnhein, L. A., Matta, P., Revetta, F. L., Wilson, K. T., Polk, D. B. 2011; 17 (11): 2224-34

  Abstract

  Interleukin 13 (IL-13) is upregulated in ulcerative colitis (UC) and increases colon epithelial permeability by inducing apoptosis and expression of the pore-forming tight junction protein claudin-2. IL-13 induces activation of signal transducer and activator of transcription 6 (STAT6). However, the STAT6 phosphorylation status in patients with UC is unknown, as is the effect of STAT6 inhibition on colonic epithelium exposed to IL-13. The study aims were to determine if mucosal STAT6 phosphorylation is increased in patients with UC, and if STAT6 inhibition attenuates IL-13-induced colon epithelial cell dysfunction.Immunohistochemical staining for phosphorylated (p) STAT6 was performed on colonic tissue from newly diagnosed pediatric subjects with UC (early UC) or Crohn's disease (CD), colectomy tissue from adults with UC (advanced UC), and controls. Colon HT-29 and T84 cells were transfected with STAT6 small interfering RNA (siRNA), or treated with suberoylanilide hydroxamic acid (SAHA), a histone deacetylase inhibitor that inhibits STAT6, prior to IL-13 treatment.The median score for epithelial pSTAT6 was 0 in control subjects, 2 in early UC (versus control P = 0.019), 4 in advanced UC (P = 0.003), and 0 in CD (P = 0.4). Cell transfection with STAT6 siRNA prevented IL-13-induced apoptosis and claudin-2 expression. SAHA inhibited IL-13-induced STAT6 phosphorylation, apoptosis, and claudin-2 expression, and mitigated IL-13-induced reductions in transepithelial resistance.UC is associated with increased colonic epithelial STAT6 phosphorylation, and STAT6 inhibition prevents IL-13-induced apoptosis and barrier disruption. These data identify STAT6 as a novel target for UC treatment and support further study of SAHA as a therapeutic agent.

  View details for DOI 10.1002/ibd.21628

  View details for PubMedID 21308881

  View details for PubMedCentralID PMC3120916

• Ciliated hepatic foregut cysts in children. Pediatric surgery international Zaydfudim, V., Rosen, M. J., Gillis, L. A., Correa, H., Lovvorn, H. N., Pinson, C. W., Kelly, B. S. 2010; 26 (7): 753-7

  Abstract

  Ciliated hepatic foregut cyst (CHFC) is a rare foregut developmental malformation usually diagnosed in adulthood; however, rare cases have been reported in the pediatric population. CHFC can transform into a squamous cell carcinoma resulting in death despite surgical resection of the isolated malignancy. We report the presentation, evaluation, and surgical management of a symptomatic 17-year-old girl found to have a 6.5 x 4.5 cm CHFC and suggest that all patients with suspected CHFC undergo prompt evaluation and complete cyst excision.

  View details for DOI 10.1007/s00383-009-2468-x

  View details for PubMedID 19760201

  View details for PubMedCentralID PMC3718281

• Endoscopic ultrasound to guide the combined medical and surgical management of pediatric perianal Crohn's disease. Inflammatory bowel diseases Rosen, M. J., Moulton, D. E., Koyama, T., Morgan, W. M., Morrow, S. E., Herline, A. J., Muldoon, R. L., Wise, P. E., Polk, D. B., Schwartz, D. A. 2010; 16 (3): 461-8

  Abstract

  Perianal fistulas are a debilitating manifestation of Crohn's disease (CD) in the pediatric population and present a management challenge. The aims of this study were to describe our experience using endoscopic ultrasound (EUS) to guide management of perianal CD (PCD) in a pediatric population, and determine whether using EUS to monitor healing after seton placement improves outcomes.We conducted a retrospective study of 2 cohorts: pediatric subjects with PCD who underwent EUS and pediatric subjects who underwent seton placement between 2002 and 2007.In all, 25 children underwent a total of 42 EUS procedures. Of 28 EUSs performed to evaluate suspected perianal disease, complex fistulizing disease was identified in 15 (54%). Setons were placed after most EUSs demonstrating complex fistulizing disease and after none demonstrating superficial or no fistulizing disease. Of 14 EUSs performed to monitor healing around a seton, 7 (50%) demonstrated persistent peri-seton inflammation. Setons were more often left in place after an EUS revealing persistent inflammation (86% versus 0%), and the patients were more likely to have a biologic initiated or changed (57% versus 0%). Among all subjects who underwent seton placement, time from seton removal to recurrence was longer for those followed by EUS compared to those followed by physical exam only; however, we were not powered to test for statistical significance.EUS to guide the combined medical and surgical management of PCD is feasible in the pediatric population. Larger prospective studies are needed to determine if EUS-directed management improves outcomes in pediatric patients with PCD.

  View details for DOI 10.1002/ibd.21067

  View details for PubMedID 19637325

  View details for PubMedCentralID PMC2871764

• A 31-year-old patient with colitis and perianal disease. Clinical gastroenterology and hepatology : the official clinical practice journal of the American Gastroenterological Association Rosen, M. J., Schwartz, D. A. 2010; 8 (1): 10-4

  View details for DOI 10.1016/j.cgh.2009.07.009

  View details for PubMedID 19615469

• A randomized prospective trial of endoscopic ultrasound to guide combination medical and surgical treatment for Crohn's perianal fistulas. The American journal of gastroenterology Spradlin, N. M., Wise, P. E., Herline, A. J., Muldoon, R. L., Rosen, M., Schwartz, D. A. 2008; 103 (10): 2527-35

  Abstract

  To prospectively determine if rectal endoscopic ultrasound (EUS) can guide combination medical and surgical therapy and improve outcomes for patients with perianal fistulizing Crohn's disease.Ten patients with perianal Crohn's disease were prospectively enrolled in a randomized prospective pilot study. The patients were randomized to either the EUS cohort or the control group. All patients underwent a rectal EUS to delineate fistula anatomy followed by an examination under anesthesia by a colorectal surgeon with seton placement and/or incision and drainage, as indicated. The surgeon was blinded to the initial EUS results of patients in the control group. Medical treatment was maximized with 6-mercaptopurine (1.0-1.5 mg/kg) or azathioprine (2.0-2.5 mg/kg), ciprofloxacin (1,000 mg a day) or metronidazole (1,500 mg a day), and infliximab (5 mg/kg at 0, 2, and 6 wk and then every 8 wk). For patients in the control group, additional interventions (seton removal and repeat surgery) were at the discretion of the surgeon (without EUS guidance). Patients in the EUS cohort had EUS performed at weeks 22 and 38, with additional surgical interventions based on EUS findings. The primary end point was complete cessation of drainage at week 54. All patients had a repeat EUS performed at week 54 to determine the fistula status on EUS (secondary end point). The need for additional surgery was defined as a treatment failure.Ten patients were enrolled in the study. One of 5 (20%) in the control group and 4 of 5 (80%) in the EUS group had complete cessation of drainage. From the control group, 3 patients failed due to repeat surgery (2 for persistent/recurrent fistula and 1 for abscess), and 1 had a persistent drainage at week 54. In the EUS cohort, 1 patient had a recurrent abscess after his seton fell out prematurely. In the EUS cohort, the median time to cessation of drainage was 99 days, and the time to EUS evidence of fistula inactivity was 229 days.This pilot study suggests that using EUS to guide combination medical and surgical therapy for perianal fistulizing Crohn's disease improves the outcomes.

  View details for DOI 10.1111/j.1572-0241.2008.02063.x

  View details for PubMedID 18684178

• Acute appendicitis following colonoscopy. Journal of clinical gastroenterology Rosen, M. J., Sands, B. E. 2005; 39 (1): 78

  View details for PubMedID 15599219

• Anti-Saccharomyces cerevisiae antibody (ASCA) positivity is associated with increased risk for early surgery in Crohn's disease. Gut Forcione, D. G., Rosen, M. J., Kisiel, J. B., Sands, B. E. 2004; 53 (8): 1117-22

  Abstract

  Anti-Saccharomyces cerevisiae antibodies (ASCA) are a specific but only moderately sensitive diagnostic marker for Crohn's disease. We sought to explore the role of ASCA as a prognostic marker for aggressive disease phenotype in Crohn's disease.To determine the role of ASCA status as a risk factor for early surgery in Crohn's disease.We performed a case control study in a cohort of patients, newly diagnosed with Crohn's disease, between 1991 and 1999. All patients were followed for at least three years. Case subjects (n = 35) included those who had major surgery for Crohn's disease within three years of diagnosis. Controls (n = 35) included patients matched to cases for age, sex, disease location, and smoking status, and who did not undergo major surgery for Crohn's disease within three years of diagnosis.Blinded assays were performed on serum for ASCA (immunoglobulin (Ig)A and IgG). A paired analysis of cases-controls was performed to test for the association between ASCA status and risk of early surgery.ASCA IgA was strongly associated with early surgery (odds ratio (OR) 8.5 (95% confidence interval (CI) 2.0-75.9); p = 0.0013). ASCA IgG+ and ASCA IgG+/IgA+ patients were also at increased risk for early surgery (OR 5.5 (95% CI 1.2-51.1), p = 0.0265; and OR 5.0 (95% CI 1.1-46.9), p = 0.0433, respectively). The association between ASCA and early surgery was evident in patients requiring surgery for ileal or ileocolonic disease.Patients with Crohn's disease who are positive for ASCA IgA, IgG, or both, may define a subset of patients with Crohn's disease at increased risk for early surgery.

  View details for DOI 10.1136/gut.2003.030734

  View details for PubMedID 15247177

  View details for PubMedCentralID PMC1774147

• Risk of early surgery for Crohn's disease: implications for early treatment strategies. The American journal of gastroenterology Sands, B. E., Arsenault, J. E., Rosen, M. J., Alsahli, M., Bailen, L., Banks, P., Bensen, S., Bousvaros, A., Cave, D., Cooley, J. S., Cooper, H. L., Edwards, S. T., Farrell, R. J., Griffin, M. J., Hay, D. W., John, A., Lidofsky, S., Olans, L. B., Peppercorn, M. A., Rothstein, R. I., Roy, M. A., Saletta, M. J., Shah, S. A., Warner, A. S., Wolf, J. L., Vecchio, J., Winter, H. S., Zawacki, J. K. 2003; 98 (12): 2712-8

  Abstract

  In this study we aimed to define the rate of early surgery for Crohn's disease and to identify risk factors associated with early surgery as a basis for subsequent studies of early intervention in Crohn's disease.We assembled a retrospective cohort of patients with Crohn's disease diagnosed between 1991 and 1997 and followed for at least 3 yr, who were identified in 16 community and referral-based practices in New England. Chart review was performed for each patient. Details of baseline demographic and disease features were recorded. Surgical history including date of surgery, indication, and procedure were also noted. Risk factors for early surgery (defined as major surgery for Crohn's disease within 3 yr of diagnosis, exclusive of major surgery at time of diagnosis) were identified by univariate analysis. Multiple logistic regression was used to identify independent risk factors.Of 345 eligible patients, 69 (20.1%) required surgery within 3 yr of diagnosis, excluding the 14 patients (4.1%) who had major surgery at the time of diagnosis. Overall, the interval between diagnosis and surgery was short; one half of all patients who required surgery underwent operation within 6 months of diagnosis. Risk factors identified by univariate analysis as significantly associated with early surgery included the following: smoking; disease of small bowel without colonic involvement; nausea and vomiting or abdominal pain on presentation; neutrophil count; and steroid use in the first 6 months. Disease localized to the colon only, blood in the stool, use of 5-aminosalicylate, and lymphocyte count were inversely associated with risk of early surgery. Logistic regression confirmed independent associations with smoking as a positive risk factor and involvement of colon without small bowel as a negative risk factor for early surgery.The rate of surgery is high in the first 3 yr after diagnosis of Crohn's disease, particularly in the first 6 months. These results suggest that improved risk stratification and potent therapies with rapid onset of action are needed to modify the natural history of Crohn's disease.

  View details for DOI 10.1111/j.1572-0241.2003.08674.x

  View details for PubMedID 14687822