FGL2 improves experimental colitis related to gut microbiota structure and bile acid metabolism by regulating macrophage autophagy and apoptosis

Abstract

Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) is a refractory disease with immune abnormalities and pathological changes. Intestinal macrophages are considered to be the main factor in establishing and maintaining intestinal homeostasis. The immunoregulatory and anti-inflammatory activity of fibrinogen-like protein 2 (FGL2) can regulate macrophage polarization. However, its function in IBD is unclear. In this study, we explored the effect of FGL2 on macrophage polarization, autophagy, and apoptosis in bone marrow-derived macrophages (BMDMs) treated with lipopolysaccharide (LPS) and further investigated changes in the intestinal barrier, flora, and bile acid in dextran sodium sulfate (DSS)-treated mice. Our results demonstrated that FGL2−/− weakened ERK signaling to promote M1 polarization and upregulate inflammation, autophagy, and apoptosis in LPS-stimulated BMDMs. rFGL2 treatment reversed these effects. FGL2−/− mice exhibited higher sensitivity to DSS exposure, with faster body weight loss, shorter colon lengths, and higher disease activity index (DAI) values. rFGL2 treatment protected against experimental ulcerative colitis (UC), restrained excessive autophagy, apoptosis, and improved gut barrier impairment. Gut microbiota structure and bile acid homeostasis were more unbalanced in FGL2−/− DSS mice than in wild-type (WT) DSS mice. rFGL2 treatment improved gut microbiota structure and bile acid homeostasis. Altogether, our results established that FGL2 is a potential therapeutic target for IBD.