Introduction

Treatment response in inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) is highly variable, with an urgent need for biomarkers to guide therapeutic decisions. Circulating monocytes, key players in intestinal immunity, act as precursors to tissue macrophages and contribute to inflammation and mucosal healing. The transcriptional programs that govern monocyte fate and their association with treatment outcomes remain poorly defined. Ikaros family proteins regulate gene expression through distinct mechanisms in lymphocytes, but little is known about their role in monocyte-macrophage function in IBD. We aimed to investigate the role of Ikaros family (Ikaros, Helios, Aiolos, Eos, Pegasus) in shaping monocyte function linked to advanced therapies response.

Aims & Methods

Peripheral blood samples were collected at baseline (W0) and after 8-12 weeks of induction therapy (W8/12) from IBD patients who initiated or switched advanced therapy [biologics, oral synthetics] and from healthy controls (HC) (n=8). We included patients achieving clinical remission after induction [Super-Responders] SR (n=18) and those showing no response [Non-Responders] NR (n=16). Immune phenotype and expression of Ikaros proteins were assessed via multiparametric flow cytometry (FACS) and correlated with clinical outcomes. To assess functional roles of Ikaros proteins, monocyte-derived macrophages were generated in vitro from buffy coat (n=6). Cells were polarised using cytokine cocktails to induce pro-inflammatory (LPS+IFNγ or TNF+PGE2+Pam3CSK4; TPP), alternative (IL1β+LPS), or regulatory (IL10) phenotypes. siRNA-loaded nanoparticles were used to silence Ikaros or Helios prior to polarisation. Phenotypic changes were analysed by FACS; cytokines secretion by ELISA; genes expression by qPCR; and phagocytosis by fluorescent beads uptake.

Results

At W0, IBD patients exhibited a significant increase in circulating monocyte counts (vs HC, p<0.001). At W8/12, monocyte levels significantly decreased in the SR group, while remaining elevated in the NR group. FACS analysis revealed an increased proportion of non-classical monocytes (CD14⁻CD16⁺) in the IBD group at W0 (vs HC; p< 0.05), persisting in NR at W8/12 (vs SR; p<0.05). IBD monocytes also showed higher expression of CCR2 and CX3CR1 compared to HC. Helios expression was absent in monocytes from IBD patients at W0, while the mean expression of Helios was 47.31% in monocytes from the HC group. At W8/12, Helios expression re-emerged in 34.14% of monocytes derived from the SR patients but remained undetectable in the NR. In vitro, macrophages treated with LPS+IFNγ or TPP upregulated Ikaros, STAT1, and CXCL10 gene expression (p< 0.01), while Helios, TGM2, and MCR1 were upregulated in response to IL10 (p< 0.05). Helios expression was absent in TNF-stimulated macrophages. Ikaros silencing reduced pro-inflammatory markers, IL6 and IL1β cytokines secretion, and inhibited phagocytosis in response to LPS, whereas Helios silencing increased macrophages activation, and pro-inflammatory markers in response to IL10.

Conclusion

Monocyte subsets distribution and Helios, Ikaros expression dynamics clearly distinguished SR from NR in IBD. Sustained absence of Helios and persistence of non-classical monocytes in NR suggest a failure to transition toward a regulatory phenotype. This may further contribute to altered migratory capacity and influence their functional fate within intestinal tissue. Functional assays confirm opposing roles of Ikaros and Helios in the macrophages activation, underscoring their unique potential as biomarkers or therapeutic targets to modulate inflammation in IBD.

Introduction

Chronic pouchitis is a common complication following ileal pouch-anal anastomosis (IPAA), with limited effective treatment options.¹ Antibiotics remain the first-line therapy; however, in cases of chronic pouchitis, prolonged antibiotic use contributes to increased antimicrobial resistance within the ileal pouch microbiome.² Fecal microbiota transplantation (FMT) has been proposed as a means of restoring microbial balance. Nevertheless, randomized placebo-controlled trials have demonstrated that, although FMT can alter the microbiome, it does not confer clinical benefits compared to placebo.^3–5

Aims & Methods

Given the lack of efficacy of FMT using stool from healthy donors, the present study aims to characterize the microbiome of a healthy ileal pouch and to evaluate the impact of high antibiotic exposure in patients with chronic pouchitis.
In this cohort study, stool samples were collected from four groups: patients with a normally functioning IPAA, patients with chronic pouchitis, patients with ulcerative colitis, and healthy controls. Microbiome composition and antibiotic resistance genes were analyzed across these groups. Fecal samples underwent metagenomic sequencing, and metagenome-assembled genomes (MAGs) were reconstructed. For Escherichia coli MAGs, the antibiotic resistance gene (ARG) profiles and plasmid content were specifically examined.

Results

This study included 197 participants. A clear pattern emerged in the microbial composition, revealing that reduced alpha diversity is directly associated with declining gut function and clinical health. Both species richness and Shannon diversity were lowest in patients with chronic pouchitis and highest in healthy individuals, with intermediate levels observed in the other groups. Notably, the ileal pouch microbiome of many chronic pouchitis patients was dominated by E. coli. Given the potential clinical implications of high E. coli abundance, we further investigated the ARG profiles and plasmid content of E. coli MAGs. E. coli MAGs from chronic pouchitis patients exhibited a significantly higher frequency of single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) associated with resistance to fluoroquinolones—an antibiotic uniformly used among this patient group—compared to MAGs from the normally functioning IPAA and healthy control cohorts. Furthermore, E. coli MAGs from chronic pouchitis patients harbored a greater number of plasmids, with an increased presence of plasmid-borne ARGs conferring resistance to antibiotics commonly administered in this group, relative to the other cohorts.

Conclusion

These findings demonstrate that the composition of the ileal pouch microbiome—both in chronic pouchitis and normally functioning IPAA—differs significantly from that of individuals with normal gut physiology. This suggests that the microbiome of a normally functioning IPAA may serve as a more appropriate baseline for comparative studies than the healthy gut microbiome. Additionally, our results indicate that antibiotic use exerts increased selective pressure on E. coli strains carrying antibiotic resistance genes, directly correlating with the types of antibiotics administered.

References

1. Hata K, Ishihara S, Nozawa H, et al. Pouchitis after ileal pouch-anal anastomosis in ulcerative colitis: Diagnosis, management, risk factors, and incidence. Dig Endosc 2017;29:26–34.
2. Shen B, Kochhar GS, Rubin DT, et al. Treatment of pouchitis, Crohn’s disease, cuffitis, and other inflammatory disorders of the pouch: consensus guidelines from the International Ileal Pouch Consortium. Lancet Gastroenterol Hepatol 2021;7:69–95.
3. Herfarth H, Barnes EL, Long MD, et al. Combined Endoscopic and Oral Fecal Microbiota Transplantation in Patients with Antibiotic-Dependent Pouchitis: Low Clinical Efficacy due to Low Donor Microbial Engraftment. Inflamm Intest Dis 2019;4:1–6.
4. Karjalainen EK, Renkonen-Sinisalo L, Satokari R, et al. Fecal Microbiota Transplantation in Chronic Pouchitis: A Randomized, Parallel, Double-Blinded Clinical Trial. Inflamm Bowel Dis 2021;27:1766–1772.
5. Kousgaard SJ, Cold F, Halkjær SI, et al. The effect of non-pooled multi-donor faecal microbiota transplantation for inducing clinical remission in patients with chronic pouchitis: Results from a multicentre randomised double-blinded placebo-controlled trial (MicroPouch). J Crohn’s Colitis 2024;18:1753–1766.

Introduction

Functional gastrointestinal disorders (FGIDs), such as irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) and functional dyspepsia, are prevalent conditions within the field of Neurogastroenterology. These disorders have a profound impact on patients’ quality of life and demand a comprehensive biopsychosocial approach to care. Despite evidence in favor of integrated care, treatment remains largely pharmacological. To address this gap, our hospital established a dedicated Functional Neurogastroenterology Unit by incorporating a nurse trained in health coaching and Neuro-Linguistic Programming (NLP) supported by a custom GPT-based artificial intelligence (AI) tool aimed at enhancing patient communication and clinical decision-making.

Results & Findings

A descriptive observational study was conducted on nurse-led consultations between September 2024 and April 2025. The intervention integrated coaching sessions, Neuro-Linguistic Programming (NLP), and the use of a customized GPT-based system to support communication and care planning. Data collected included demographic characteristics, presenting symptoms, and referral patterns. Additionally, each patient was invited to write a personal narrative reflecting on their experience throughout the intervention.

Summary & Discussion

Forty-eight patients were attended during the study period (mean age: 38.6 years; 68.7% female). The most common diagnoses were functional dyspepsia, irritable bowel syndrome, and nonspecific digestive disorders. Frequently reported symptoms included bloating, epigastric pain, early satiety and burning. 20.8% of patients were referred to psychology services and 2.1% to psychiatry. Patient narratives revealed improvements in emotional self-regulation, greater sense of empowerment, and high levels of satisfaction. AI reduced administrative burden, improving focus on direct care, interdisciplinary communication, and adherence to treatment.

Conclusion

Coaching, NLP and AI are effective tools to address FGIDs from nursing, promoting personalized care and improving the patient's emotional well-being.

References

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