Tuft cell-derived acetylcholine promotes epithelial chloride secretion and intestinal helminth clearance.

ABSTRACT: Epithelial cells secrete chloride to regulate water release at mucosal barriers, supporting both homeostatic hydration and the "weep" response that is critical for type 2 immune defense against parasitic worms (helminths). Epithelial tuft cells in the small intestine sense helminths and release cytokines and lipids to activate type 2 immune cells, but whether they regulate epithelial secretion is unknown. Here, we found that tuft cell activation rapidly induced epithelial chloride secretion in the small intestine. This response required tuft cell sensory functions and tuft cell-derived acetylcholine (ACh), which acted directly on neighboring epithelial cells to stimulate chloride secretion, independent of neurons. Maximal tuft cell-induced chloride secretion coincided with immune restricti

SUBMITTER: Billipp TE 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC11168877 | biostudies-literature | 2024 Jun

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature