Bacterial stimulation of the TLR-MyD88 pathway modulates the homeostatic expression of ileal Paneth cell α-defensins.

ABSTRACT: Paneth cell α-defensins are antimicrobial peptides involved in the control of the intestinal microbiota and immunological homeostasis. In mice, they are encoded by multiple, highly homologous genes (Defa). The transcriptional activity of ileal Defa genes was studied in response to pharmacological and genetic perturbations of the intestinal environment of C57BL/6 mice. Defa gene transcription was sensitive to oral antibiotic administration suggesting that commensal microbes regulate Defa expression. Ileal microbiota analysis showed that decreased transcription of Defa genes correlated with depletion of Lactobacillus. Defa expression was partially restored in vivo by lactobacillus administration to antibiotic-treated mice. Defa transcripts were less abundant in ex vivo, microbiota-free intes

SUBMITTER: Menendez A 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC6741583 | biostudies-literature | 2013

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature