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Nature Nov 2017Intestinal epithelial cells absorb nutrients, respond to microbes, function as a barrier and help to coordinate immune responses. Here we report profiling of 53,193...
Intestinal epithelial cells absorb nutrients, respond to microbes, function as a barrier and help to coordinate immune responses. Here we report profiling of 53,193 individual epithelial cells from the small intestine and organoids of mice, which enabled the identification and characterization of previously unknown subtypes of intestinal epithelial cell and their gene signatures. We found unexpected diversity in hormone-secreting enteroendocrine cells and constructed the taxonomy of newly identified subtypes, and distinguished between two subtypes of tuft cell, one of which expresses the epithelial cytokine Tslp and the pan-immune marker CD45, which was not previously associated with non-haematopoietic cells. We also characterized the ways in which cell-intrinsic states and the proportions of different cell types respond to bacterial and helminth infections: Salmonella infection caused an increase in the abundance of Paneth cells and enterocytes, and broad activation of an antimicrobial program; Heligmosomoides polygyrus caused an increase in the abundance of goblet and tuft cells. Our survey highlights previously unidentified markers and programs, associates sensory molecules with cell types, and uncovers principles of gut homeostasis and response to pathogens.
Topics: Animals; Cell Differentiation; Cytokines; Enterocytes; Epithelial Cells; Epithelium; Female; Gene Expression Profiling; Homeostasis; Intestine, Small; Leukocyte Common Antigens; Male; Mice; Organoids; Paneth Cells; Single-Cell Analysis; Transcription, Genetic; Thymic Stromal Lymphopoietin
PubMed: 29144463
DOI: 10.1038/nature24489 -
Gut Microbes 2022Toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4) has been identified as a potentially promising therapeutic target in acute pancreatitis (AP). However, the role of intestinal TLR4 in AP and...
Toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4) has been identified as a potentially promising therapeutic target in acute pancreatitis (AP). However, the role of intestinal TLR4 in AP and AP-associated gut injury remains unclear. This study aimed to explore the relationship between intestinal TLR4 and gut microbiota during AP. A mouse AP model was establish by intraperitoneal injection of L-arginine. Pancreatic injury and intestinal barrier function were evaluated in wild-type and intestinal epithelial TLR4 knockout (TLR4ΔIEC) mice. Gut microbiota was analyzed by 16S rRNA sequencing. Quadruple antibiotics were applied to induce microbiota-depleted mice. Differentially expressed genes in gut were detected by RNA sequencing. treatment was carried out in and study. Compared with wild-type mice, AP and AP-associated gut injury were exacerbated in TLR4ΔIEC mice in a gut microbiota-dependent manner. The relative abundance of and number of Paneth cells remarkably decreased in TLR4ΔIEC mice. The KEGG pathway analysis derived from RNA sequencing suggested that genes affected by intestinal TLR4 deletion were related to the activation of nod-like receptor pathway. Furthermore, treatment could significantly improve the pancreatic and intestinal injury in TLR4ΔIEC mice through promoting Paneth cells in a NOD2-dependent manner. Loss of intestinal epithelial TLR4 exacerbated pancreatic and intestinal damage during AP, which might be attributed to the gut microbiota dysbiosis especially the exhausted might maintain intestinal homeostasis and alleviate AP via Paneth cells modulation. AP Acute pancreatitis, TLR4 Toll-like receptor 4, IL-1β Interleukin-1β, IL-6 Interleukin-6, TNF-α Tumor necrosis factor-α, SIRS Systematic inflammatory response syndrome, LPS Lipopolysaccharides, SPF Specific pathogen-free, ZO-1 Zonula occludens-1, CON Control, H&E Hematoxylin and eosin, FISH Fluorescence in situ hybridization, DAPI 4',6-diamidino-2-phenylindole, PCoA Principal co-ordinates analysis, SCFA Short chain fatty acid, LEfSe Linear discriminant analysis Effect Size, ANOVA Analysis of variance, F/B Firmicutes/Bacteroidetes, PCA Principal component analysis, NOD2 Nod-like receptor 2, ABX antibiotics, PCNA proliferating cell nuclear antigen.
Topics: Acute Disease; Animals; Anti-Bacterial Agents; Dysbiosis; Gastrointestinal Microbiome; Lactobacillus; Mice; Mice, Inbred C57BL; NLR Proteins; Pancreatitis; Paneth Cells; RNA, Ribosomal, 16S; Toll-Like Receptor 4
PubMed: 35982604
DOI: 10.1080/19490976.2022.2112882 -
Cell Stem Cell Sep 2022Opposing roles have been proposed for IL-22 in intestinal pathophysiology. We have optimized human small intestinal organoid (hSIO) culturing, constitutively generating...
Opposing roles have been proposed for IL-22 in intestinal pathophysiology. We have optimized human small intestinal organoid (hSIO) culturing, constitutively generating all differentiated cell types while maintaining an active stem cell compartment. IL-22 does not promote the expansion of stem cells but rather slows the growth of hSIOs. In hSIOs, IL-22 is required for formation of Paneth cells, the prime producers of intestinal antimicrobial peptides (AMPs). Introduction of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD)-associated loss-of-function mutations in the IL-22 co-receptor gene IL10RB resulted in abolishment of Paneth cells in hSIOs. Moreover, IL-22 induced expression of host defense genes (such as REG1A, REG1B, and DMBT1) in enterocytes, goblet cells, Paneth cells, Tuft cells, and even stem cells. Thus, IL-22 does not directly control the regenerative capacity of crypt stem cells but rather boosts Paneth cell numbers, as well as the expression of AMPs in all cell types.
Topics: Calcium-Binding Proteins; DNA-Binding Proteins; Humans; Interleukins; Intestinal Mucosa; Intestine, Small; Organoids; Paneth Cells; Tumor Suppressor Proteins; Interleukin-22
PubMed: 36002022
DOI: 10.1016/j.stem.2022.08.002 -
Signal Transduction and Targeted Therapy Aug 2023As a family of cationic host defense peptides, defensins are mainly synthesized by Paneth cells, neutrophils, and epithelial cells, contributing to host defense. Their... (Review)
Review
As a family of cationic host defense peptides, defensins are mainly synthesized by Paneth cells, neutrophils, and epithelial cells, contributing to host defense. Their biological functions in innate immunity, as well as their structure and activity relationships, along with their mechanisms of action and therapeutic potential, have been of great interest in recent years. To highlight the key research into the role of defensins in human and animal health, we first describe their research history, structural features, evolution, and antimicrobial mechanisms. Next, we cover the role of defensins in immune homeostasis, chemotaxis, mucosal barrier function, gut microbiota regulation, intestinal development and regulation of cell death. Further, we discuss their clinical relevance and therapeutic potential in various diseases, including infectious disease, inflammatory bowel disease, diabetes and obesity, chronic inflammatory lung disease, periodontitis and cancer. Finally, we summarize the current knowledge regarding the nutrient-dependent regulation of defensins, including fatty acids, amino acids, microelements, plant extracts, and probiotics, while considering the clinical application of such regulation. Together, the review summarizes the various biological functions, mechanism of actions and potential clinical significance of defensins, along with the challenges in developing defensins-based therapy, thus providing crucial insights into their biology and potential clinical utility.
Topics: Animals; Humans; Paneth Cells; Inflammatory Bowel Diseases; Defensins
PubMed: 37574471
DOI: 10.1038/s41392-023-01553-x -
Science (New York, N.Y.) Jan 2022Epithelial organoids are stem cell–derived tissues that approximate aspects of real organs, and thus they have potential as powerful tools in basic and translational...
Epithelial organoids are stem cell–derived tissues that approximate aspects of real organs, and thus they have potential as powerful tools in basic and translational research. By definition, they self-organize, but the structures formed are often heterogeneous and irreproducible, which limits their use in the lab and clinic. We describe methodologies for spatially and temporally controlling organoid formation, thereby rendering a stochastic process more deterministic. Bioengineered stem cell microenvironments are used to specify the initial geometry of intestinal organoids, which in turn controls their patterning and crypt formation. We leveraged the reproducibility and predictability of the culture to identify the underlying mechanisms of epithelial patterning, which may contribute to reinforcing intestinal regionalization in vivo. By controlling organoid culture, we demonstrate how these structures can be used to answer questions not readily addressable with the standard, more variable, organoid models.
Topics: Animals; Cell Differentiation; Cell Shape; Epithelial Cells; Hydrogels; Intestinal Mucosa; Mice; Organogenesis; Organoids; Paneth Cells; Receptors, Notch; Signal Transduction; Stem Cells; Tissue Culture Techniques; Tissue Engineering; YAP-Signaling Proteins
PubMed: 34990240
DOI: 10.1126/science.aaw9021 -
Proceedings of the National Academy of... Jun 2023Gut microbiota imbalance (dysbiosis) is increasingly associated with pathological conditions, both within and outside the gastrointestinal tract. Intestinal Paneth cells...
Gut microbiota imbalance (dysbiosis) is increasingly associated with pathological conditions, both within and outside the gastrointestinal tract. Intestinal Paneth cells are considered to be guardians of the gut microbiota, but the events linking Paneth cell dysfunction with dysbiosis remain unclear. We report a three-step mechanism for dysbiosis initiation. Initial alterations in Paneth cells, as frequently observed in obese and inflammatorybowel diseases patients, cause a mild remodeling of microbiota, with amplification of succinate-producing species. SucnR1-dependent activation of epithelial tuft cells triggers a type 2 immune response that, in turn, aggravates the Paneth cell defaults, promoting dysbiosis and chronic inflammation. We thus reveal a function of tuft cells in promoting dysbiosis following Paneth cell deficiency and an unappreciated essential role of Paneth cells in maintaining a balanced microbiota to prevent inappropriate activation of tuft cells and deleterious dysbiosis. This succinate-tuft cell inflammation circuit may also contribute to the chronic dysbiosis observed in patients.
Topics: Humans; Dysbiosis; Mucous Membrane; Inflammation; Paneth Cells; Succinates; Succinic Acid
PubMed: 37307458
DOI: 10.1073/pnas.2219431120 -
The Journal of Experimental Medicine Feb 2020The intestine plays an important role in nutrient digestion and absorption, microbe defense, and hormone secretion. Although major cell types have been identified in the...
The intestine plays an important role in nutrient digestion and absorption, microbe defense, and hormone secretion. Although major cell types have been identified in the mouse intestinal epithelium, cell type-specific markers and functional assignments are largely unavailable for human intestine. Here, our single-cell RNA-seq analyses of 14,537 epithelial cells from human ileum, colon, and rectum reveal different nutrient absorption preferences in the small and large intestine, suggest the existence of Paneth-like cells in the large intestine, and identify potential new marker genes for human transient-amplifying cells and goblet cells. We have validated some of these insights by quantitative PCR, immunofluorescence, and functional analyses. Furthermore, we show both common and differential features of the cellular landscapes between the human and mouse ilea. Therefore, our data provide the basis for detailed characterization of human intestine cell constitution and functions, which would be helpful for a better understanding of human intestine disorders, such as inflammatory bowel disease and intestinal tumorigenesis.
Topics: Animals; Biomarkers; Cell Cycle; Cell Differentiation; Cell Proliferation; Cells, Cultured; Goblet Cells; Humans; Ileum; Intestinal Absorption; Mice; Mice, Inbred C57BL; Nutrients; Organoids; Paneth Cells; RNA-Seq; Signal Transduction; Single-Cell Analysis; Transcriptome
PubMed: 31753849
DOI: 10.1084/jem.20191130 -
Nature Jan 2011Homeostasis of self-renewing small intestinal crypts results from neutral competition between Lgr5 stem cells, which are small cycling cells located at crypt bottoms....
Homeostasis of self-renewing small intestinal crypts results from neutral competition between Lgr5 stem cells, which are small cycling cells located at crypt bottoms. Lgr5 stem cells are interspersed between terminally differentiated Paneth cells that are known to produce bactericidal products such as lysozyme and cryptdins/defensins. Single Lgr5-expressing stem cells can be cultured to form long-lived, self-organizing crypt-villus organoids in the absence of non-epithelial niche cells. Here we find a close physical association of Lgr5 stem cells with Paneth cells in mice, both in vivo and in vitro. CD24(+) Paneth cells express EGF, TGF-α, Wnt3 and the Notch ligand Dll4, all essential signals for stem-cell maintenance in culture. Co-culturing of sorted stem cells with Paneth cells markedly improves organoid formation. This Paneth cell requirement can be substituted by a pulse of exogenous Wnt. Genetic removal of Paneth cells in vivo results in the concomitant loss of Lgr5 stem cells. In colon crypts, CD24(+) cells residing between Lgr5 stem cells may represent the Paneth cell equivalents. We conclude that Lgr5 stem cells compete for essential niche signals provided by a specialized daughter cell, the Paneth cell.
Topics: Animals; CD24 Antigen; Cell Count; Cell Proliferation; Coculture Techniques; Humans; Intestines; Mice; Multipotent Stem Cells; Paneth Cells; Receptors, G-Protein-Coupled; Stem Cell Niche; Wnt Proteins; Wnt3 Protein
PubMed: 21113151
DOI: 10.1038/nature09637 -
World Journal of Gastroenterology Jun 2023Crohn's disease (CD) is an inflammatory bowel disease characterized by immune-mediated flares affecting any region of the intestine alternating with remission periods.... (Review)
Review
Crohn's disease (CD) is an inflammatory bowel disease characterized by immune-mediated flares affecting any region of the intestine alternating with remission periods. In CD, the ileum is frequently affected and about one third of patients presents with a pure ileal type. Moreover, the ileal type of CD presents epidemiological specificities like a younger age at onset and often a strong link with smoking and genetic susceptibility genes. Most of these genes are associated with Paneth cell dysfunction, a cell type found in the intestinal crypts of the ileum. Besides, a Western-type diet is associated in epidemiological studies with CD onset and increasing evidence shows that diet can modulate the composition of bile acids and gut microbiota, which in turn modulates the susceptibility of the ileum to inflammation. Thus, the interplay between environmental factors and the histological and anatomical features of the ileum is thought to explain the specific transcriptome profile observed in CD ileitis. Indeed, both immune response and cellular healing processes harbour differences between ileal and non-ileal CD. Taken together, these findings advocate for a dedicated therapeutic approach to managing ileal CD. Currently, interventional pharmacological studies have failed to clearly demonstrate distinct response profiles according to disease site. However, the high rate of stricturing disease in ileal CD requires the identification of new therapeutic targets to significantly change the natural history of this debilitating disease.
Topics: Humans; Crohn Disease; Ileum; Ileitis; Inflammation; Paneth Cells; Ileal Diseases
PubMed: 37377591
DOI: 10.3748/wjg.v29.i21.3222 -
Immunity Dec 2022Intestinal stem cell maturation and development coincide with gut microbiota exposure after birth. Here, we investigated how early life microbial exposure, and...
Intestinal stem cell maturation and development coincide with gut microbiota exposure after birth. Here, we investigated how early life microbial exposure, and disruption of this process, impacts the intestinal stem cell niche and development. Single-cell transcriptional analysis revealed impaired stem cell differentiation into Paneth cells and macrophage specification upon antibiotic treatment in early life. Mouse genetic and organoid co-culture experiments demonstrated that a CD206 subset of intestinal macrophages secreted Wnt ligands, which maintained the mesenchymal niche cells important for Paneth cell differentiation. Antibiotics and reduced numbers of Paneth cells are associated with the deadly infant disease, necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC). We showed that colonization with Lactobacillus or transfer of CD206 macrophages promoted Paneth cell differentiation and reduced NEC severity. Together, our work defines the gut microbiota-mediated regulation of stem cell niches during early postnatal development.
Topics: Mice; Animals; Gastrointestinal Microbiome; Paneth Cells; Cell Differentiation; Enterocolitis, Necrotizing; Macrophages
PubMed: 36473468
DOI: 10.1016/j.immuni.2022.11.003