TRIM33 deficiency in monocytes and macrophages impairs resolution of colonic inflammation

BACKGROUND: Mature myeloid cells play a crucial role in Crohn's disease (CD) but the molecular players that regulate their functions in CD are not fully characterized. We and others have shown that TRIM33 is involved in the innate immune response and in the inflammatory response but TRIM33 role in intestinal inflammation is not known. In this study, we investigated the role of TRIM33 in myeloid cells during dextran sulfate sodium (DSS)-induced colitis. METHODS: We study the role of TRIM33 during DSS-induced colitis which mimics intestinal inflammation using mice deleted for Trim33 only in mature myeloid cells (Trim33(−/−) mice) FINDINGS: We first show that Trim33 mRNA level is decreased in CD patient's blood monocytes suggesting a role of TRIM33 in CD. Using Trim33(−/−) mice, we show that these mice display an impaired resolution of colonic inflammation with an increased number of blood and colon monocytes and a decreased number of colonic macrophages. Trim33(−/−) monocytes are less competent for recruitment and macrophage differentiation. Finally, during resolution of inflammation, Trim33(−/−) colonic macrophages display an impaired M1/M2 switch and express a low level of membrane-bound TNF that is associated with an increased number of colonic neutrophils. INTERPRETATION: Our study shows an important role of TRIM33 in monocytes/macrophages during DSS-induced colitis and suggests that the decreased expression of TRIM33 in CD patient's blood monocytes might not be a consequence but might be involved in CD progression. FUND: La Ligue contre le Cancer (équipe labelisée), INSERM, CEA, Université Paris-Diderot, Université Paris-Sud.