Sphk2 deletion is involved in structural abnormalities and Th17 response but does not aggravate colon inflammation induced by sub-chronic stress

The chronic inflammatory process that characterizes inflammatory bowel diseases (IBD) is mainly driven by T-cell response to microbial and environmental antigens. Psychological stress is a potential trigger of clinical flares of IBD, and sphingosine-1-phosphate (S1P) is involved in T-cell recruitment. Hence, stress impact and the absence of sphingosine kinase 2 (Sphk2), an enzyme of S1P metabolism, were evaluated in the colon of mice after sub-chronic stress exposure. Here, we show that sub-chronic stress increased S1P in the mouse colon, possibly due to a decrease in its degradation enzymes and Sphk2. S1P accumulation could lead to inflammation and immune dysregulation reflected by upregulation of toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4) pathway, inhibition of anti-inflammatory mechanisms, cytokine-expression profile towards a T-helper lymphocyte 17 (Th17) polarization, plasmacytosis, decrease in IgA+ lymphoid lineage cells (CD45+)/B cells/plasmablasts, and increase in IgM+ B cells. Stress also enhanced intestinal permeability. Sphk2 knockout mice presented a cytokine-expression profile towards a boosted Th17 response, lower expression of claudin 3,4,7,8, and structural abnormalities in the colon. Intestinal pathophysiology should consider stress and S1P as modulators of the immune response. S1P-based drugs, including Sphk2 potentiation, represent a promising approach to treat IBD.