Association of Hyperuricemia With Immune Disorders and Intestinal Barrier Dysfunction

BACKGROUND: More than 30–40% of uric acid is excreted via the intestine, and the dysfunction of intestinal epithelium disrupts uric acid excretion. The involvement of gut microbiota in hyperuricemia has been reported in previous studies, but the changes and mechanisms of intestinal immunity in hyperuricemia are still unknown. METHODS: This study developed a urate oxidase (Uox)-knockout (Uox–/–) mouse model for hyperuricemia using CRISPR/Cas9 technology. The lipometabolism was assessed by measuring changes in biochemical indicators. Furthermore, 4-kDa fluorescein isothiocyanate–labeled dextran was used to assess gut barrier function. Also, 16S rRNA sequencing was performed to examine the changes in gut microbiota in mouse feces. RNA sequencing, Western blot, Q-PCR, ELISA, and immunohistochemical analysis were used for measuring gene transcription, the number of immune cells, and the levels of cytokines in intestinal tissues, serum, kidney, liver, pancreas, and vascellum. RESULTS: This study showed that the abundance of inflammation-related microbiota increased in hyperuricemic mice. The microbial pattern recognition–associated Toll-like receptor pathway and inflammation-associated TNF and NF-kappa B signaling pathways were significantly enriched. The increased abundance of inflammation-related microbiota resulted in immune disorders and intestinal barrier dysfunction by upregulating TLR2/4/5 and promoting the release of IL-1β and TNF-α. The levels of epithelial tight junction proteins occludin and claudin-1 decreased. The expression of the pro-apoptotic gene Bax increased. The levels of LPS and TNF-α in systemic circulation increased in hyperuricemic mice. A positive correlation was observed between the increase in intestinal permeability and serum levels of uric acid. CONCLUSION: Hyperuricemia was characterized by dysregulated intestinal immunity, compromised intestinal barrier, and systemic inflammation. These findings might serve as a basis for future novel therapeutic interventions for hyperuricemia.