Vitamin D Reduces Colitis- and Inflammation-Associated Colorectal Cancer in Mice Independent of NOD2

ABSTRACT

Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) patients are at increased risk of developing colorectal cancer (CRC). Vitamin D (vD) induces NOD2 gene expression, enhancing immunity, while deficiency impairs intestinal epithelial integrity, increasing inflammation. This study investigated the effect of vD on CRC in colitis, and if preventive benefits are mediated via NOD2. Inflammation-associated CRC was induced by treating C57BL/6J and Nod2^−/− mice with azoxymethane (AOM) and dextran sodium sulfate (DSS) cycles (×3). vD-deficient mice displayed more severe colitis compared to vD-supplemented mice, with greater weight loss, higher colitis activity index, increased colonic weight/length ratios, and lower survival rates. Increased histological inflammation score and increased IL-6 were observed in the mucosa of vD-deficient mice. Overall incidence of colonic tumors was not significantly different between vD-deficient and vD-supplemented mice. Higher tumor multiplicity was observed in vD-deficient vs vD-supplemented groups (both mouse strains). After AOM/DSS treatment, decreased plasma 25(OH)D₃ levels and downregulation of vD target genes Cyp24 and Vdr were observed in both mice strains (vD-deficient or vD-supplemented diet), compared to saline-treated controls on the vD-deficient diet. In conclusion, vD supplementation reduced colitis severity and decreased the number of inflammation-associated colorectal tumors in both C57BL/6J and Nod2^−/− mice, independent of NOD2.

Acknowledgments

The authors thank Ms. Denise Levesque for invaluable technical support and Ms. Melissa Diamond for the expert administrative assistance.

Funding

The authors gratefully acknowledge grant support from Dairy Farmers of Canada and the McGill University Health Center Foundation Owen Catchpaugh Award for Innovative IBD Research. The principal investigator (EGS) is supported by a Canada Research Chair in Immune Mediated Gastrointestinal Disorders and the Bruce Kaufman endowed Chair of IBD at McGill.