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Gastric Lgr5+ cells are programmed by Rspo3 to shield the gland from infection

ABSTRACT: R-spondin (Rspo) signaling is crucial for stem cell renewal and tissue homeostasis in the gastrointestinal tract. In the stomach, Rspo is secreted from myofibroblasts and controls epithelial gland regeneration by inducing proliferation of Wnt-responsive Axin2+ cells in the isthmus of the gland. Infection with H. pylori results in increased expression of stromal Rspo, leading to an expansion of Axin2+ isthmus stem cells and gland hyperplasia. Lgr5+ cells in the gland base are exposed to Rspo3 but the effects of this are not well understood. Here we demonstrate that apart from its activity as a mitogen, endogenous Rspo3 regulates gene expression of Lgr5+ cells in the gastric gland base. Surprisingly, Rspo3 induces differentiation within the Lgr5+ compartment towards secretory deep mucous cells. Moreover, the Rspo3-Lgr5 axis turns out to be a stimulus of epithelial antimicrobial defense. Infection with H. pylori induces a strong antimicrobial response, with Lgr5+ cells expressing antimicrobial compounds that are secreted into the lumen in an Rspo3-dependent manner. Depletion of Lgr5+ cells or knockout of Rspo3 in myofibroblasts leads to hyper-colonization of gastric glands, including the stem cell compartment, whereas systemic application of recombinant Rspo clears H. pylori from the glands. We provide an intriguing, unexpected feature of the Rspo3-Lgr5 axis in the stomach, exhibiting antimicrobial self-protection of the gland to protect the stem cell compartment from invading pathogens.

ORGANISM(S): Mus musculus

PROVIDER: GSE124930 | GEO | 2019/03/25

REPOSITORIES: GEO

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Project description:The gastrointestinal epithelial crypts are clonal units with a high cell turnover, driven by a small population of long-lived, Lgr5-expressing stem cells located in the crypt base. Despite this, depletion of Lgr5+ cells does not lead to severe pathology. Instead, other cell populations, such as secretory and enterocyte precursors are able to de-differentiate, replace Lgr5+ cells, and regenerate the crypt. However, the signals that regulate this epithelial plasticity are not well understood. Here we illuminate the hierarchical organization and regulation of stem cell plasticity in the colonic crypt. Using in vivo lineage tracing, we find that the classic Wnt target gene Axin2 is expressed in colonic Lgr5+ cells and adjacent Lgr5-negative cells that give rise to entire crypts upon Lgr5+ cell depletion. The identity of Lgr5+ cells is controlled by by R-spondin 3 (Rspo3) produced by myofibroblasts and the recovery of Lgr5+ cells upon depletion required functional Rspo3 signaling. In contrast, expression of Axin2 and the reserve stem cell function of Axin2+ cells is not dependent on Rspo3. Accordingly, upon knockout of Rspo3, Lgr5-negative Axin2+ cells are able to compensate the loss of the Lgr5+ cell compartment and maintain epithelial integrity. In contrast, Rspo3 is essential for maintaining epithelial integrity in the context of injury of the entire Axin2+ cell pool, as observed in the context of DSS colitis. We demonstrate that DSS induces a progressive loss of the Lgr5+ stem cells as well as Axin2+ Lgr5-negative reserve stem cell compartment. While Rspo3 deficient animals are unable to withstand this injury, in Rspo3 competent animals, crypt homeostasis and regeneration are fueled by the remaining Axin2-negative, differentiated cells. These cells can be reprogrammed by Rspo3 to proliferate and act as stem cells. Thus, we identity Rspo3 as a major regulator of the Lgr5 stem cell signature. While loss of this signature can be compensated by Rspo3-independent reserve stem cells under healthy conditions, it is essential for re-establishment of epithelial integrity upon crypt injury.

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Gastric Lgr5+ cells are programmed by Rspo3 to shield the gland from infection

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