Gut microbiota regulates lacteal integrity by inducing VEGF-C in intestinal villus macrophages.

ABSTRACT: A lacteal is a blunt-ended, long, tube-like lymphatic vessel located in the center of each intestinal villus that provides a unique route for drainage of absorbed lipids from the small intestine. However, key regulators for maintaining lacteal integrity are poorly understood. Here, we explore whether and how the gut microbiota regulates lacteal integrity. Germ depletion by antibiotic treatment triggers lacteal regression during adulthood and delays lacteal maturation during the postnatal period. In accordance with compromised lipid absorption, the button-like junction between lymphatic endothelial cells, which is ultrastructurally open to permit free entry of dietary lipids into lacteals, is significantly reduced in lacteals of germ-depleted mice. Lacteal defects are also found in germ-fre

SUBMITTER: Suh SH 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC6446200 | biostudies-literature | 2019 Apr

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature