IFN ⁃ γ alleviates intestinal fibrosis in Crohn’s disease through inhibiting the SRC/Areg signaling axis
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Department of Gastroenterology,the First Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing Medical University,Nanjing 210029 ,China

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10.7655/NYDXBNSN250631

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    Abstract:

    Objective:This study systematically investigates the regulatory role and mechanism of interferon - gamma(IFN - γ)in Crohn’s disease(CD)-associated intestinal fibrosis. Methods:Intestinal fibroblasts were isolated from CD patients and treated with various cytokines[IFN-γ,interleukin(IL)-17A,IL-1β,IL-33,IL-36α,tumor necrosis factor(TNF)-α]in vitro. The mRNA expression level of amphiregulin(Areg)in human intestinal fibroblasts was detected using RT-PCR. Following treatment with 20 ng/mL IFN-γ for 48 h,transcriptome sequencing(RNA -seq)was performed,and a protein -protein interaction(PPI)network was constructed using the STRING database. Immunofluorescence was employed to detect myofibroblast markers such as alpha -smooth muscle actin(α-SMA) and antigen Kiel 67(Ki67),evaluating the effects of IFN-γ on the activation and proliferation of human intestinal fibroblasts. Results: Areg significantly promoted the activation,proliferation,and collagen synthesis of intestinal fibroblasts,whereas IFN - γ markedly suppressed Areg expression in intestinal fibroblasts and downregulated fibrosis - related genes including α - SMA,COL1A1,and COL6A1,while also inhibiting fibroblast proliferation and activation. RNA - seq analysis revealed that differentially expressed genes regulated by IFN-γ were significantly enriched in the extracellular matrix(ECM)remodeling pathway. PPI network analysis identified SRC as a core node,suggesting its potential role in mediating the anti -fibrotic effects of IFN -γ. Conclusion:Areg is a key mediator promoting intestinal fibrosis in CD. IFN-γ inhibits Areg expression through transcriptional regulation,and it is found that SRC may be a key effector molecule downstream of IFN-γ. IFN-γ may exert its anti-fibrotic effect by inhibiting the SRC/Areg signaling axis. These findings provide a theorectial basis for the development of anti-fibrotic strategies targeting the IFN-γ/SRC/Areg pathway.

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LIN Junjie, SUN Junjian, WANG Lu, WANG Shu, ZHANG Hongjie, ZHAO Xiaojing. IFN ⁃ γ alleviates intestinal fibrosis in Crohn’s disease through inhibiting the SRC/Areg signaling axis[J].,2025,45(11):1608-1615.

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  • Received:June 07,2025
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  • Online: November 12,2025
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