Long-Term Intestinal Epithelial Remodeling Induced by Acute Protein-Energy Malnutrition.

ABSTRACT: Protein-energy malnutrition (PEM) is a global health burden with lasting effects that extend well beyond the initial nutrient deficiency. To systematically investigate the long-term effects of a single episode of PEM on the structure and function of the intestinal epithelium and its associated microbiota, we employed a comprehensive multi-omics approach, including (spatial) transcriptomics, DNA methylation analysis, fecal metagenomics, and metabolomics. Our findings show that PEM persistently alters the intestinal epithelium by depleting Paneth cells and suppressing antimicrobial gene expression - changes linked to DNA methylation that persist despite dietary recovery. In germ-free mice, the sustained epithelial phenotype after was absent. We identified the microbial lipid metabolite 9-HOD

SUBMITTER: Schuran FA 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12633548 | biostudies-literature | 2025 Oct

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature