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Defense against attaching-and-effacing bacteria requires the sequential generation of interleukin 23 (IL-23) and IL-22 to induce protective mucosal responses. Although CD4+ and NKp46+ innate lymphoid cells (ILCs) are the critical source of IL-22 during infection, the precise source of IL-23 is unclear. We used genetic techniques to deplete mice of specific subsets of classical dendritic cells (cDCs) and analyzed immunity to the attaching-and-effacing pathogen Citrobacter rodentium. We found that the signaling receptor Notch2 controlled the terminal stage of cDC differentiation. Notch2-dependent intestinal CD11b+ cDCs were an obligate source of IL-23 required for survival after infection with C. rodentium, but CD103+ cDCs dependent on the transcription factor Batf3 were not. Our results demonstrate a nonredundant function for CD11b+ cDCs in the response to pathogens in vivo. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: p38-Alpha mitogen-activated protein kinase (p38-MAPK) is a tumor suppressor often mutated in human cancers, but its specific role in colorectal cancer is not completely understood. Previous studies have found that p38-MAPK activity inhibits epithelial proliferation and promotes apoptosis in the intestine. Therefore, we sought to test the hypothesis that intestinal disruption of p38-MAPK would lead to increased tumorigenesis in the colon. Methods: p38-MAPK was deleted in mice within the intestinal epithelium using a tamoxifen-inducible Cre system under control of the villin promoter [villin-Cre ERT2(+), MAPK14(f/f)]. An azoxymethane and dextran sodium sulfate protocol was used to drive intestinal tumor development. Tumor measurements were made using computer software from photographs of excised colon specimens. Results: The number of mice that developed tumors was not statistically different when comparing wild-type mice (7/14) to inducible, intestine epithelial-deleted p38-MAPK (9/11) mice after azoxymethane/dextran sodium sulfate treatment (P = .21). However, the epithelial-deleted p38-MAPK mice developed significantly more tumors (3.7 vs 1.1; P = .008) and nearly 4 times the total tumor burden as wild-type mice (17.4 vs 4.8 mm2; P = .03). Wild-type and epithelial-deleted p38-MAPK groups demonstrated a similar degree of colon inflammation. Conclusion: Deletion of p38-MAPK within the colonic mucosa leads to a hyperplastic state promoting greater tumor development. Because the severity of colitis was not augmented in mice with p38-MAPK deficiency, tumor development is likely mediated by impaired cell cycle regulation within the colonic epithelium. Manipulation of p38-MAPK activity may provide a novel treatment and/or prevention strategy in the management of colorectal cancer, particularly in the setting of inflammatory bowel disease. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background The small intestinal epithelium is highly sensitive to radiation and is a major site of injury during radiation therapy and environmental overexposure. Objective To examine probiotic bacteria as potential radioprotective agents in the intestine. Methods 8-week-old C57BL/6 wild-type or knockout mice were administered probiotic by gavage for 3 days before 12 Gy whole body radiation. The intestine was evaluated for cell-positional apoptosis (6 h) and crypt survival (84 h). Results Gavage of 5×107 Lactobacillus rhamnosus GG (LGG) improved crypt survival about twofold (p<0.01); the effect was observed when administered before, but not after, radiation. Conditioned medium (CM) from LGG improved crypt survival (1.95-fold, p<0.01), and both LGG and LGG-CM reduced epithelial apoptosis particularly at the crypt base (33% to 18%, p<0.01). LGG was detected in the distal ileal contents after the gavage cycle, but did not lead to a detectable shift in bacterial family composition. The reduction in epithelial apoptosis and improved crypt survival offered by LGG was lost in MyD88-/-, TLR-2-/- and cyclo-oxygenase-2-/- (COX-2) mice but not TLR-4-/- mice. LGG administration did not lead to increased jejunal COX-2 mRNA or prostaglandin E2 levels or a change in number of COX-2-expressing cells. However, a location shift was observed in constitutively COX-2-expressing cells of the lamina propria from the villi to a position near the crypt base (villi to crypt ratio 80:20 for control and 62:38 for LGG; p<0.001). Co-staining revealed these COX-2- expressing small intestinal lamina propria cells to be mesenchymal stem cells. Conclusions LGG or its CM reduce radiation-induced epithelial injury and improve crypt survival. A TLR-2/ MyD88 signalling mechanism leading to repositioning of constitutive COX-2-expressing mesenchymal stem cells to the crypt base is invoked. INSET: Significance of this study. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The instruction of the immune system to be tolerant of self, thereby preventing autoimmunity, is facilitated by the education of T cells in a specialized organ, the thymus, in which self-reactive cells are either eliminated or differentiated into tolerogenic Foxp3+ regulatory T (Treg) cells. However, it is unknown whether T cells are also educated to be tolerant of foreign antigens, such as those from commensal bacteria, to prevent immunopathology such as inflammatory bowel disease. Here we show that encounter with commensal microbiota results in the peripheral generation of Treg cells rather than pathogenic effectors. We observed that colonic Treg cells used T-cell antigen receptors (TCRs) different from those used by Treg cells in other locations, implying an important role for local antigens in shaping the colonic Treg-cell population. Many of the local antigens seemed to be derived from commensal bacteria, on the basis of the in vitro reactivity of common colon Treg TCRs. These TCRs did not facilitate thymic Treg-cell development, implying that many colonic Treg cells arise instead by means of antigen-driven peripheral Treg-cell development. Further analysis of two of these TCRs by the creation of retroviral bone marrow chimaeras and a TCR transgenic line revealed that microbiota indigenous to our mouse colony was required for the generation of colonic Treg cells from otherwise naive T cells. If T cells expressing these TCRs fail to undergo Treg-cell development and instead become effector cells, they have the potential to induce colitis, as evidenced by adoptive transfer studies. These results suggest that the efficient peripheral generation of antigen-specific populations of Treg cells in response to an individual's microbiota provides important post-thymic education of the immune system to foreign antigens, thereby providing tolerance to commensal microbiota. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Complex microbial populations are organized in relation to their environment. In the intestine, the inner lining (mucosa) is a potential focal point for such organization. The proximal murine colon contains mucosal folds that are known to be associated with morphologically distinct microbes. To identify these microbes, we used the technique of laser capture microdissection (LCM) to sample microbes associated with these folds (interfold region) and within the central lumen (digesta region). Using 16S rRNA gene tag pyrosequencing, we found that microbes in the interfold region were highly enriched for the phylum Firmicutes and, more specifically, for the families Lachnospiraceae and Ruminococcaceae. Other families such as Bacteroidaceae, Enterococcaceae and Lactobacillaceae were all enriched in the digesta region. This high-resolution system to capture and examine spatial organization of intestinal microbes should facilitate microbial analysis in other mouse models, furthering our understanding of host-microbial interactions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The process of wound repair in epithelium-lined organs of mammals is complex and is influenced by numerous secreted factors including cytokines, growth factors, and chemokines. However, the cellular organizers of this process are still not understood. Recent studies of tissue regeneration in organisms with simpler development have uncovered details about the activity of stem cells in the mesenchyme (the blastema) during this process. These blastemal cells are well positioned to interpret cues from the environment and to execute decisions about the direction of wound repair. In mammalian wounds, stromal stem cells appear to be positioned to perform functions similar to those of blastemal cells, including communication with both the overlying epithelium and the inflammatory cells in the mesenchyme. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The CDC25 protein phosphatases (CDC25A, B, and C) drive cell cycle transitions by activating key components of the cell cycle engine. CDC25A and CDC25B are frequently overproduced in human cancers. Disruption of Cdc25B or Cdc2SC individually or in combination has no effect on mouse viability. Here we report that CDC25A is the only family member to provide an essential function during early embryonic development, and that other family members compensate for its loss in adult mice. In contrast, conditional disruption of the entire family is lethal in adults due to a loss of small intestinal epithelial cell proliferation in crypts of Lieberkühn. Cdc25 loss induced Wnt signaling, and overall crypt structures were preserved. In the face of continuous Wnt signaling, nearly all crypt epithelial progenitors differentiated into multiple cell lineages, including crypt base columnar cells, a proposed stem cell. A small population of Musashi/Dcamkl-1/nuclearβ-catenin-positive epithelial cells was retained in these crypts. These findings have implications for the development of novel; less cytotoxic cancer chemotherapeutic drugs that specifically target the cell cycle. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The colonic epithelial lining undergoes constant replacement, driven by epithelial stem cells in crypts of Lieberkühn. Stem cells lost because of damage or disease can be replaced by adjacent crypts that undergo fission. The close proximity of an extraordi- nary number of luminal microbes creates a challenge for this repair process; infection must be prevented while immune system activation and epithelial stem cell genetic damage must be minimized. To understand the factors that modulate crypt/stem cell replacement in the mouse colon, we developed an in vivo acute injury system analogous to punch biopsy of the skin. In contrast to epidermal stem cells, colonic epithelial progenitors did not migrate over the wound bed. Instead, their proliferative expansion was confined to crypts adjacent to wound beds and was delayed to the latter phase of healing. This increased epithelial proliferation was coincident with the infiltration of Trem2 expressing macrophages and increased expression of lL-4 and 11-13 in the wound bed. Interestingly, Trem2[sup-/-] mice displayed slow and incomplete wound healing of colonic mucosal injuries. We found the latter phase of healing in Trem2[sup-/-] mice showed a diminished burst of epithelial proliferation: increased expression of IFN-γ and TNF-α, diminished expression of IL-4 and IL-13, and increased markers of classical macrophage activation. Ablation of these cytokines in injured WT and Trem2[sup-/-] mice demonstrated that their expression ultimately determined the rate and nature of wound healing. These studies show that Trem2 signaling is an important pathway to promote healing of wounds in the colon where stem cell replacement is necessary. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Susceptibility to Crohn’s disease, a complex inflammatory disease involving the small intestine, is controlled by over 30 loci. One Crohn’s disease risk allele is in ATG16L1, a gene homologous to the essential yeast autophagy gene ATG16 (ref. 2). It is not known how ATG16L1 or autophagy contributes to intestinal biology or Crohn’s disease pathogenesis. To address these questions, we generated and characterized mice that are hypomorphic for ATG16L1 protein expression, and validated conclusions on the basis of studies in these mice by analysing intestinal tissues that we collected from Crohn’s disease patients carrying the Crohn’s disease risk allele of ATG16L1. Here we show that ATG16L1 is a bona fide autophagy protein. Within the ileal epithelium, both ATG16L1 and a second essential autophagy protein ATG5 are selectively important for the biology of the Paneth cell, a specialized epithelial cell that functions in part by secretion of granule contents containing antimicrobial peptides and other proteins that alter the intestinal environment. ATG16L1- and ATG5-deficient Paneth cells exhibited notable abnormalities in the granule exocytosis pathway. In addition, transcriptional analysis revealed an unexpected gain of function specific to ATG16L1-deficient Paneth cells including increased expression of genes involved in peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor (PPAR) signalling and lipid metabolism, of acute phase reactants and of two adipocytokines, leptin and adiponectin, known to directly influence intestinal injury responses. Importantly, Crohn’s disease patients homozygous for the ATG16L1 Crohn’s disease risk allele displayed Paneth cell granule abnormalities similar to those observed in autophagy-protein-deficient mice and expressed increased levels of leptin protein. Thus, ATG16L1, and probably the process of autophagy, have a role within the intestinal epithelium of mice and Crohn’s disease patients by selective effects on the cell biology and specialized regulatory properties of Paneth cells. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Paul Allen and colleagues describe the development of a mouse model of fulminant ulcerative colitis with multiple genetic hits in immune regulation which can be moderated by anti-cytokine therapy and broad-spectrum antibiotics. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Discs-large homolog 1 (DLGH1) is a mouse ortholog of the Drosophila discs-large (DLG) tumor suppressor protein, a founding member of the PDZ and MAGUI( protein families. DLG proteins play important roles in regulating cell proliferation, epithelial cell polarity, and synapse formation and function. Here, we generated a null allele of Dlgh1 and studied its role in urogenital development. Dlgh1-/- mice developed severe urinary tract abnormalities, including congenital hydronephrosis. which is the leading cause of renal failure in infants and children. DLGH1 is expressed in the developing ureter; in its absence, the stromal cells that normally lie between the urothelial and smooth muscle layers were missing. Moreover, in ureteric smooth muscle, the circular smooth muscle cells were misaligned in a longitudinal orientation. These abnormalities in the ureter led to severely impaired ureteric peristalsis. Similar smooth muscle defects are observed frequently in patients with ureteropelvic junction obstruction, a common form of hydronephrosis. Our results suggest that (i) besides its well documented role in regulating epithelial polarity, Dlgh1 also regulates smooth muscle orientation, and (ii) human DLG1 mutations may contribute to hereditary forms of hydronephrosis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We have identified cellular and molecular features of the stem cell niche required for marked amplification of mouse colonic epithelial progenitors (CoIEPs) that occurs in response to wounding of the epithelium with dextran sodium sulfate. This regenerative response in areas adjacent to breaches in the epithelial barrier depends on the gut microbiota because CoIEP proliferation is markedly diminished in germ-free animals. Analysis of conventionally raised C57BL/6 (B6) knockout mice lacking the Toll-like receptor signal transduction pathway component Myd88 and wild-type animals transplanted with Myd88-/- bone marrow, revealed that Myd88-mediated signaling through mesenchymal cells is also required for the CoIEP response. Studies of B6 Csf1op/op (lacking macrophages) mice, Rag1-/- mice, and wild-type mice treated with neutrophil-specific Gr1 mAbs, disclosed that macrophages but not lymphocytes or neutrophils are necessary. GeneChip analysis of laser-capture-microdissected mesenchymal cells coupled with immunohistochemical and electron microscopic studies showed that, during the regenerative response, macrophages in the pericryptal stem cell niche express genes associated with their activation and extend processes to directly contact CoIEPs near the crypt base. GeneChip analysis also identified a number of potential molecular mediators of regeneration expressed in the pericryptal progenitor niche, including secreted factors that stimulate epithelial proliferation and proteins involved in extracellular matrix and basement membrane function, stability, and growth factor binding. Together, these studies indicate that the colonic epithelial progenitor niche is a dynamic structure in which macrophages function as mobile "cellular transceivers" that coordinate inputs from luminal microbes and injured epithelium and transmit regenerative signals to neighboring CoIEPs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Microbially derived metabolites in the intestine regulate host immunity and impact disease pathophysiology in various organs. Sun et al. (2015) suggest a direct effect of microbial metabolites on pancreatic endocrine cells in regulating type 1 diabetes pathophysiology. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Intestinal Paneth cells modulate innate immunity and infection. In Crohn's disease, genetic mutations together with environmental triggers can disable Paneth cell function. Here, we find that a western diet (WD) similarly leads to Paneth cell dysfunction through mechanisms dependent on the microbiome and farnesoid X receptor (FXR) and type I interferon (IFN) signaling. Analysis of multiple human cohorts suggests that obesity is associated with Paneth cell dysfunction. In mouse models, consumption of a WD for as little as 4 weeks led to Paneth cell dysfunction. WD consumption in conjunction with Clostridium spp. increased the secondary bile acid deoxycholic acid levels in the ileum, which in turn inhibited Paneth cell function. The process required excess signaling of both FXR and IFN within intestinal epithelial cells. Our findings provide a mechanistic link between poor diet and inhibition of gut innate immunity and uncover an effect of FXR activation in gut inflammation. [Display omitted] • Diet-induced obesity results in Paneth cell dysfunction in humans and mice • Consumption of western diet leads to Clostridium -mediated deoxycholic acid conversion • Deoxycholic acid activates both FXR and type I IFN pathways • Both FXR and type I IFN pathways are essential in triggering Paneth cell defects Small intestinal Paneth cells are gatekeepers of gut innate immunity. Liu et al. identified a link between consumption of high fat, high sugar diet (western diet; WD) and Paneth cell dysfunction. The mechanisms involve WD-associated microbiota conversion of bile acids, which activate both FXR and type I interferon pathways. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Investigates the behavior of ectopically expressed full-length desmoplakin I (DP I) in cultured cells. Assembly of cDNA encoding full-length DP I from overlapping phage clones; Necessity of sequences in the amino terminus of DP for colocalization with desmosomes; Importance of carboxyl terminus of DP for desmosomes and intermediate filament.

The host receptor for severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2, angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (ACE2), is highly expressed in small bowel (SB). Our aim was to identify factors influencing intestinal ACE2 expression in Crohn's disease (CD), ulcerative colitis (UC), and non–inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) controls. Using bulk RNA sequencing or microarray transcriptomics from tissue samples (4 SB and 2 colonic cohorts; n = 495; n = 387 UC; n = 94 non-IBD), we analyzed the relationship between ACE2 with demographics and disease activity and prognosis. We examined the outcome of anti–tumor necrosis factor and anti–interleukin-12/interleukin-23 treatment on SB and colonic ACE2 expression in 3 clinical trials. Univariate and multivariate regression models were fitted. ACE2 levels were consistently reduced in SB CD and elevated in colonic UC compared with non-IBD controls. Elevated SB ACE2 was also associated with demographic features (age and elevated body mass index) associated with poor coronavirus disease 2019 outcomes. Within CD, SB ACE2 was reduced in patients subsequently developing complicated disease. Within UC, colonic ACE2 was elevated in active disease and in patients subsequently requiring anti–tumor necrosis factor rescue therapy. SB and colonic ACE2 expression in active CD and UC were restored by anti-cytokine therapy, most notably in responders. Reduced SB but elevated colonic ACE2 levels in IBD are associated with inflammation and severe disease, but normalized after anti-cytokine therapy, suggesting compartmentalization of ACE2 -related biology in SB and colonic inflammation. The restoration of ACE2 expression with anti-cytokine therapy might be important in the context of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 infection and potentially explain reports of reduced morbidity from coronavirus disease 2019 in IBD patients treated with anti-cytokines. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Despite being a frequent cause of severe diarrheal disease in infants and an opportunistic infection in immunocompromised patients, Cryptosporidium research has lagged due to a lack of facile experimental methods. Here, we describe a platform for complete life cycle development and long-term growth of C. parvum in vitro using "air-liquid interface" (ALI) cultures derived from intestinal epithelial stem cells. Transcriptomic profiling revealed that differentiating epithelial cells grown under ALI conditions undergo profound changes in metabolism and development that enable completion of the parasite life cycle in vitro. ALI cultures support parasite expansion > 100-fold and generate viable oocysts that are transmissible in vitro and to mice, causing infection and animal death. Transgenic parasite lines created using CRISPR/Cas9 were used to complete a genetic cross in vitro , demonstrating Mendelian segregation of chromosomes during meiosis. ALI culture provides an accessible model that will enable innovative studies into Cryptosporidium biology and host interactions. • Air-liquid interface (ALI) cultivation of Cryptosporidium supports robust parasite growth • Both asexual and sexual phases of the parasite complete development in ALI cultures • ALI culture supports the production of de novo oocysts that can trigger an infection in mice • In vitro crossing in ALI cultures opens up forward genetics for Cryptosporidium Wilke et al. describe an air-liquid interface (ALI) cultivation system that permits the efficient growth of C. parvum in vitro. ALI culture supports life cycle completion, thereby generating oocysts that can propagate in vitro , cause infection in mice, and enable in vitro genetic crosses, thus opening this system for future studies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Conditioned medium (CM) derived from engineered cells often facilitates the cost-effective culture of a variety of stem cells. Growing emphasis on the importance of rigor and reproducibility in lab-based science requires development of best practices approaches, including quality control procedures for the assessment of CM batches to ensure reliable interpretation and reproducibility. Here, we tested activity level variations of L-WRN CM, which is produced from an L cell line engineered to secrete W nt3a, R spondin 3, and N oggin into a single CM that is widely used for gastrointestinal stem cell culture. We assessed 14 independent batches of L-WRN CM, produced by 5 laboratories at 3 research institutions, by multiple quantitative assays. We observed highly replicable activity levels among L-WRN CM batches prepared according to a previously published protocol. Quality control assays measuring spheroid growth or mRNA gene marker expression were best able to distinguish the quality L-WRN CM batches, whereas a Wnt reporter assay did not. Thus, we have validated that L-WRN CM activity is highly reproducible over time and between laboratories and have provided guidelines for L-WRN CM quality control testing. These validation procedures and guidelines will benefit experiment replication efforts in stem cell research. Unlabelled Image • Thirteen batches of L-WRN conditioned medium had highly replicable activity levels. • Similar activity levels were observed with medium from 5 laboratory groups. • A Wnt reporter assay did not discriminate quality batches. • Spheroid growth and mRNA marker analysis best discriminated quality batches. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]