Project description:Using RNA sequencing, we report that neuron derived-IL-18 is required for intestinal antimicrobial protein expression Mucosal barrier immunity is essential for the maintenance of the commensal microflora and combating invasive bacterial infection. Although immune and epithelial cells are thought to be the canonical orchestrators of this complex equilibrium, here we show that the enteric nervous system (ENS) plays an essential and non-redundant role in governing the anti-microbial protein (AMP) response. Using confocal microscopy and single-molecule fluorescence in situ mRNA-hybridization (smFISH) studies, we observed that intestinal neurons produce the pleiotropic cytokine IL-18. Strikingly, deletion of IL-18 from the enteric neurons alone, but not immune or epithelial cells, rendered mice susceptible to invasive Salmonella typhimurium (S.t.) infection. Mechanistically, unbiased RNA sequencing and single cell sequencing revealed that enteric neuronal IL-18 is specifically required for homeostatic goblet cell AMP production. Together, we show that neuron derived IL-18 signaling controls tissue wide intestinal immunity and has profound consequences on the mucosal barrier and invasive bacterial killing.
Project description:Using DropSeq single cell RNA sequencing, we report that neuronal derived-IL-18 is required for goblet cell expression of intestinal antimicrobial protein expression Mucosal barrier immunity is essential for the maintenance of the commensal microflora and combating invasive bacterial infection. Although immune and epithelial cells are thought to be the canonical orchestrators of this complex equilibrium, here we show that the enteric nervous system (ENS) plays an essential and non-redundant role in governing the anti-microbial protein (AMP) response. Using confocal microscopy and single-molecule fluorescence in situ mRNA-hybridization (smFISH) studies, we observed that intestinal neurons produce the pleiotropic cytokine IL-18. Strikingly, deletion of IL-18 from the enteric neurons alone, but not immune or epithelial cells, rendered mice susceptible to invasive Salmonella typhimurium (S.t.) infection. Mechanistically, unbiased RNA sequencing and single cell sequencing revealed that enteric neuronal IL-18 is specifically required for homeostatic goblet cell AMP production. Together, we show that neuron derived IL-18 signaling controls tissue wide intestinal immunity and has profound consequences on the mucosal barrier and invasive bacterial killing.
Project description:Using isolation stress model, we showed that goblet cell-dependent mucosal barrier functions in the mouse rectum was more vulnerable to stress than the colon. We also found that isolation stress specifically stimulated IL-18 production only in the rectum. Furthermore, the crucial role of IL-18 in the stress response of the mouse rectum was confirmed using IL-18 knockout mice. Microarray analysis was used to assess the stress response and to identify responsible genes for the vulnerability of the mouse rectum to isolation stress.
Project description:In this study, we investigated the regulation of interleukin-18 (IL-18) expression, crucial for intestinal barrier integrity, in inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). Through experiments with Caco-2 cells, we demonstrated that HIF1α-mediated IL18 expression induced by F. prausnitzii was dependent on HIF1α, suggesting a potential role for butyrate-producing gut bacteria in promoting mucosal healing in IBD.
Project description:The intestinal epithelial barrier plays a critical role in the mucosal immunity. However, it remains largely unknown how the epithelial barrier is maintained after damage. Here we show that FGF2 synergizes with IL-17A to induce genes for repairing of damaged epithelium. Deficiency of FGF2 or IL-17A resulted in impaired epithelial proliferation, increased pro-inflammatory microbiota outgrowth, and consequently worse pathology in a DSS-induced colitis model.
Project description:The enteric nervous system (ENS) can control most essential gut functions owing to its organization into complete neural circuits consisting of a multitude of different neuronal subtypes. We used microarrays to identify transcription factor networks and signaling pathways involved in diversification and differentiation of enteric neurons during development of the enteric nervous system.
Project description:Enteric nervous system is involved in the regulation of intestinal inflammation. We developped mouse primary cultures of enteric nervous system to study impact of LPS, as pro-inflammatory mediator, and of the pro-drug 6-mercaptopurine on enteric inflammatory pathways We used microarrays to detail the global programme of gene expression underlying enteric neuro-inflammation and identified classes of up-regulated genes during this process.
