Accumulating evidence shows that the abnormal increase in the mortality of intestinal epithelial cells (IECs) caused by apoptosis, pyroptosis, and necroptosis is closely related to the function of mucous membrane immunity and barrier function in patients with ulcerative colitis (UC). As a procedural death path that integrates the above-mentioned many deaths, the role of PANoptosis in UC has not been clarified. This study aims to explore the characterization of PANoptosis patterns and determine the potential biomarkers and therapeutic targets. We constructed a PANoptosis gene set and revealed significant activation of PANoptosis in UC patients based on multiple transcriptome profiles of intestinal mucosal biopsies from the GEO database. Comprehensive bioinformatics analysis revealed five key genes (ZBP1, AIM2, CASP1/8, IRF1) of PANoptosome with good diagnostic value and were highly correlated with an increase in pro-inflammatory immune cells and factors. In addition, we established a reliable ceRNA regulatory network of PANoptosis and predicted three potential small-molecule drugs sharing calcium channel blockers that were identified, among which flunarizine exhibited the highest correlation with a high binding affinity to the targets. Finally, we used the DSS-induced colitis model to validate our findings. This study identifies key genes of PANoptosis associated with UC development and hypothesizes that IRF1 as a TF promotes PANoptosome multicomponent expression, activates PANoptosis, and then induces IECs excessive death.

As potentially important biosensors within the intestinal mucosal barrier, gut sensory neurons appear to dynamically orchestrate tissue homeostasis through multimodal integration of mechanical forces, chemical cues, and microbial metabolites. While current research indicates gut sensory neurons may play a significant role in the pathophysiology of IBD/IBS, the precise etiological mechanisms underlying these disorders require further investigation. In the enteric nervous system, intrinsic primary afferent neurons (IPANs) show distinct molecular characteristics compared to peripheral sensory neurons originating from the dorsal root ganglia (DRG) and vagal ganglia (NG/JG, nodose/jugular ganglia). These neuronal subtypes appear to orchestrate bidirectional epithelial-immune communication through context-dependent release of neurochemical signals, potentially establishing a dynamic neuromodulatory network. This comprehensive review will examine the latest findings on the relationship between these sensory neurons and intestinal diseases, and explore an integrated therapeutic framework based on a triple synergistic strategy. This framework could encompass precise molecular-level modulation through targeting neurotransmitters and their receptors, systemic-level neural regulation utilizing electrical nerve stimulation techniques, and ecological reprogramming mediated by gut microbiota. This potential approach may provide a possible translational pathway from mechanistic exploration to practical application, with implications for personalized clinical interventions for IBD/IBS.

Background: Defective efferocytosis in ulcerative colitis (UC) exacerbates inflammation due to impaired clearance of apoptotic cells, yet the molecular mechanisms linking efferocytosis-related genes to therapeutic outcomes remain unclear. This study aims to investigate the role of efferocytosis in UC and the key regulatory mechanism of efferocytosis.Methods: Multi-omics integration of single-cell and bulk transcriptomic data from human UC colonic mucosa identified efferocytosis-active cellular subpopulations. Machine learning algorithms screened hub genes, followed by molecular docking to assess interactions with UST. A mouse colitis model was used to verify the inflammatory damage of UC and the key genes that play the role in efferocytosis.Results: In UC, the “eat me” and “digest me” signaling pathways are predominantly upregulated in myeloid cells, while the “find me” signaling cascade shows marked activation in stromal cells. Macrophages characterized by the M2 polarization demonstrate enhanced phagocytic proficiency and are instrumental in the engulfment and clearance of apoptotic cells, thereby alleviating the inflammatory cascade in UC. Six hub genes (ANXA1, PANX1, ANXA5, CD93, SERPINE1, MFGE8) were associated with UC progression and correlated with clinical response to UST. Molecular docking analysis revealed strong binding affinities between these gene-encoded proteins and UST. Transcriptomic and proteomic analyses confirmed dysregulated expression of these hub genes in the colitis model.Conclusion: This study reveals cellular heterogeneity at different stages of efferocytosis in UC, identifies efferocytosis-related genes as critical regulators of mucosal repair and predictors of UST efficacy. Findings emphasize targeting macrophage-driven efferocytosis to resolve inflammation, offering novel strategies for improving treatment outcomes.

To analyze the role of disulfidptosis in ulcerative colitis (UC), large-scale datasets combined with weighted gene co-expression network analysis (WGCNA) and machine learning were utilized and analyzed. When the hub genes that are associated with UC disease phenotypes and have predictive performance were identified, immune cell infiltration and the CeRNA network were constructed, the role of hub genes in UC pathogenies and biotherapy were investigated, and molecular docking studies and mice-verified tests were carried out to further explore the potential core genes and potential target. Finally, we found 21 DRGs involved in UC pathogenesis, including SLC3A2, FLNA, CAPZB, TLN1, RPN1, etc. Moreover, SLC3A2, TLN1, and RPN1 show a notable correlation with UC inflammatory state, and the expression of DRGs is closely related to the response to UC biotherapy. Our study suggests that disulfidptosis plays a crucial role in the pathogenesis and disease progression of UC. Higher expression of DRGs is commonly observed in moderate to severe UC patients, which may also affect their response to biologic therapies. Among the identified genes, SLC3A2 stands out, providing new insights into the underlying mechanisms of UC and potentially serving as a novel therapeutic target for the treatment of UC.

Introduction: The role of endoplasmic reticulum stress (ERS) in the immune-inflammatory dysregulation and intestinal fibrosis associated with ulcerative colitis (UC) remains unclear. This study aims to identify ERS-related genes involved in UC fibrosis and explore potential therapeutic targets.Methods: Differentially expressed ERS-related genes (DE-ERGs) were identified through comprehensive analysis of public datasets. Machine learning methods screened VWF, MZB1, COL1A1, and LOXL2 as key regulators. Immune infiltration analysis, protein-protein interaction (PPI) network analysis, and gene set variation analysis (GSVA) were performed to clarify their roles in UC fibrosis. Drug prediction was conducted using the Connectivity Map (CMap) database, supplemented by a literature review.Results: The predicted drugs were ranked based on their binding affinities as follows: IKK-16 > Quercetin > Curcumin > Resveratrol > Budesonide > Trimebutine > Colchicine > Betamethasone > Pioglitazone > Metformin. IKK-16 showed the highest binding affinity for treating UC fibrosis. COL1A1, LOXL2, and VWF were identified as key drivers of UC intestinal fibrosis, supported by immune infiltration and PPI network analyses.Discussion: These results suggest that ERS-related genes, particularly COL1A1, LOXL2, and VWF, may regulate UC fibrosis through interactions with immune cells. IKK-16 shows promise as a therapeutic agent. These findings provide new insights into UC pathogenesis and potential clinical treatment strategies.