5,6-dihydroxy-8Z,11Z,14Z,17Z-eicosatetraenoic acid accelerates the healing of colitis by inhibiting transient receptor potential vanilloid 4-mediated signaling.

5,6-dihydroxy-8Z,11Z,14Z,17Z-eicosatetraenoic acid (5,6-DiHETE) is an eicosapentaenoic acid-derived lipid metabolite, which we previously detected in inflamed mouse colon. In this study, we investigated the pathophysiological roles of 5,6-DiHETE in murine colitis and its underlying mechanisms of action, focusing on the effects on transient receptor potential vanilloid (TRPV) channel activity. Oral administration of dextran sodium sulfate (DSS, 2%, for 4 days) caused colon inflammation, which peaked on day 7 and gradually declined by day 18. 5,6-DiHETE concentration in colon tissue was significantly increased during the healing phase of colitis (days 9 to 18). In vitro study showed that pretreatment with 5,6-DiHETE (0.1-1 μM, 30 minutes) significantly inhibited endothelial barrier disruption induced by a TRPV4 agonist (GSK1016790A, 50 nM). Intracellular Ca2+ imaging also showed that pretreatment with 5,6-DiHETE (1 μM, 10 minutes) reduced GSK1016790A-induced intracellular Ca2+ increase in HEK293T cells overexpressing TRPV4. In vivo, intraperitoneal administration of 5,6-DiHETE (50 µg kg-1  day-1 ) during the healing phase accelerated the recovery from DSS-induced colitis. Pathological studies showed that the administration of 5,6-DiHETE inhibited edema formation and leukocyte infiltration in inflamed colon tissue. In conclusion, we identified 5,6-DiHETE as a novel endogenous TRPV4 antagonist, and we also demonstrated that its administration promotes the healing of colitis by inhibiting inflammatory responses.