A pro-inflammatory role for vimentin in the colon

4^th World Congress on Cancer Science & Therapy

October 20-22, 2014 DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel Chicago-North Shore Conference Center, USA

Nirit Mor-Vaknin

Accepted Abstracts: J Cancer Sci Ther

Abstract :

Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD) is most frequently manifested by ulceration and chronic inflammation of the gastrointestinal tract and is associated with increased risk of colorectal cancer. IBD is believed to be caused by an abnormal immune response to commensal bacteria, as well as environmental factors and genetic predisposition. Recent treatments for IBD include anti-inflammatory drugs, which may increase the risk of secondary infections and cancer, thereby increasing the need for preventative care and improved treatment modalities. Two distinct studies of human tissue of gene expression during the course of IBD have shown increased vimentin, expression especially in ulcerative colitis. In addition, interaction between vimentin and nucleotide binding oligomerization domain-containing protein 2 (NOD-2) has been found. Despite these findings,vimentin?s function and its role in IBD remain elusive. We now have evidence that suggests a new role for the vimentin protein in intestinal homeostasis. Using E. coli and dextran sodium sulfate (DSS)-induced colitis mouse models, we have found that Vim KO mice show significant resistance to the development of acute and chronic colitis, while under steady state conditions Vim KO mice have a remarkable normal phenotype and very subtle abnormalities. Our results suggest that vimentin can suppress the production of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and autophagy. Since ROS production and defects in autophagy are linked tothe pathophysiology of IBD, we concluded that vimentin might contribute to IBD development, and may promote cancer.

Biography :

Nirit Mor-Vaknin has completed her PhD at the age of 30 years from the Ben Gurion University of the Negev in Israel and Postdoctoral studies from the University of Michigan School of Medicine. She has published more than 20 papers in reputed journals.