Altered gene expression signatures by calcitonin gene-related peptide promoted mast cell activity in the colon of stress-induced visceral hyperalgesia mice

Background Calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP) is possibly involved in recruitment of mucosal mast cells (MCs) in the gut that may be associated with the development of irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), but the role of CGRP on the activation of MCs is still unknown. Methods Using RNA sequencing (RNA-seq), we examined differentially expressed genes (DEGs) in mouse MCs following CGRP treatment. The expression of key genes in colonic MCs and their relationship with CGRP-containing fibers were examined by immunofluorescence in chronic water-avoidance stress (WAS)-induced visceral hyperalgesia mice. Key Results A total of 29 DEGs were found significantly changed with 28 upregulated and 1 downregulated following treatment of MCs with CGRP. Bioinformatics analysis showed that key higher DEGs included those associated with response to corticotropin-releasing hormone (CRH), regulation of transcription, MC activation, and proliferation. These processes are enriched for genes associated with stress-induced MC activation in IBS. Western blot verified changes in representative DEGs (Nr4a3, Crem, Gpr35, FosB, Sphlk1) and real-time cell analysis (RTCA) verified the MC proliferation. The vast majority of colonic MCs nearly CGRP-containing fibers in WAS mice overexpressed only Nr4a3 with little to no FosB, Gpr35, Sphlk1, or Crem expression. Nr4a3 knockdown may attenuate the promotion effect of CGRP on MC viability. Conclusions & Inferences Our results suggest that CGRP is a critical regulator of key expressed genes in MC activation. Nr4a3 as a novel regulator of MC function may have an effect on stress-induced visceral hyperalgesia, and this may represent the novel target for drug development.

Automated summary

The study identified CGRP as a critical regulator of key expressed genes in MC activation. Nr4a3, as a novel regulator of MC function, may have an effect on stress-induced visceral hyperalgesia and represent a new target for drug development.