Targeting P2Y ₁₄R protects against necroptosis of intestinal epithelial cells through PKA/CREB/RIPK1 axis in ulcerative colitis

Abstract

Purinergic signaling plays a causal role in the pathogenesis of inflammatory bowel disease. Among purinoceptors, only P2Y ₁₄R is positively correlated with inflammatory score in mucosal biopsies of ulcerative colitis patients, nevertheless, the role of P2Y ₁₄R in ulcerative colitis remains unclear. Here, based on the over-expressions of P2Y ₁₄R in the intestinal epithelium of mice with experimental colitis, we find that male mice lacking P2Y ₁₄R in intestinal epithelial cells exhibit less intestinal injury induced by dextran sulfate sodium. Mechanistically, P2Y ₁₄R deletion limits the transcriptional activity of cAMP-response element binding protein through cAMP/PKA axis, which binds to the promoter of Ripk1, inhibiting necroptosis of intestinal epithelial cells. Furthermore, we design a hierarchical strategy combining virtual screening and chemical optimization to develop a P2Y ₁₄R antagonist HDL-16, which exhibits remarkable anti-colitis effects. Summarily, our study elucidates a previously unknown mechanism whereby P2Y ₁₄R participates in ulcerative colitis, providing a promising therapeutic target for inflammatory bowel disease.

Abstract

P2Y ₁₄R regulates necroptosis of intestinal epithelial cells though PKA/CREB/RIPK1 axis in the pathogenesis of ulcerative colitis (UC). Targeting P2Y ₁₄R with a small molecule inhibitor improves dextran sulfate sodium-induced UC in mice, suggesting P2Y ₁₄R as a promising target for treatment of UC.