Gut-liver axis calibrates intestinal stem cell fitness.

The gut and liver are recognized to mutually communicate through the biliary tract, portal vein, and systemic circulation. However, it remains unclear how this gut-liver axis regulates intestinal physiology. Through hepatectomy and transcriptomic and proteomic profiling, we identified pigment epithelium-derived factor (PEDF), a liver-derived soluble Wnt inhibitor, which restrains intestinal stem cell (ISC) hyperproliferation to maintain gut homeostasis by suppressing the Wnt/ß-catenin signaling pathway. Furthermore, we found that microbial danger signals resulting from intestinal inflammation can be sensed by the liver, leading to the repression of PEDF production through peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor-α (PPARα). This repression liberates ISC proliferation to accelerate tissue repair in the gut. Additionally, treating mice with fenofibrate, a clinical PPARα agonist used for hypolipidemia, enhances colitis susceptibility due to PEDF activity. Therefore, we have identified a distinct role for PEDF in calibrating ISC expansion for intestinal homeostasis through reciprocal interactions between the gut and liver.

Mucus sialylation determines intestinal host-commensal homeostasis.

Intestinal mucus forms the first line of defense against bacterial invasion while providing nutrition to support microbial symbiosis. How the host controls mucus barrier integrity and commensalism is unclear. We show that terminal sialylation of glycans on intestinal mucus by ST6GALNAC1 (ST6), the dominant sialyltransferase specifically expressed in goblet cells and induced by microbial pathogen-associated molecular patterns, is essential for mucus integrity and protecting against excessive bacterial proteolytic degradation. Glycoproteomic profiling and biochemical analysis of ST6 mutations identified in patients show that decreased sialylation causes defective mucus proteins and congenital inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). Mice harboring a patient ST6 mutation have compromised mucus barriers, dysbiosis, and susceptibility to intestinal inflammation. Based on our understanding of the ST6 regulatory network, we show that treatment with sialylated mucin or a Foxo3 inhibitor can ameliorate IBD.

Lipids regulate peripheral serotonin release via gut CD1d.

The crosstalk between the immune and neuroendocrine systems is critical for intestinal homeostasis and gut-brain communications. However, it remains unclear how immune cells participate in gut sensation of hormones and neurotransmitters release in response to environmental cues, such as self-lipids and microbial lipids. We show here that lipid-mediated engagement of invariant natural killer T (iNKT) cells with enterochromaffin (EC) cells, a subset of intestinal epithelial cells, promoted peripheral serotonin (5-HT) release via a CD1d-dependent manner, regulating gut motility and hemostasis. We also demonstrated that inhibitory sphingolipids from symbiotic microbe Bacteroides fragilis represses 5-HT release. Mechanistically, CD1d ligation on EC cells transduced a signal and restrained potassium conductance through activation of protein tyrosine kinase Pyk2, leading to calcium influx and 5-HT secretion. Together, our data reveal that by engaging with iNKT cells, gut chemosensory cells selectively perceive lipid antigens via CD1d to control 5-HT release, modulating intestinal and systemic homeostasis.

Interleukin-33 Promotes Serotonin Release from Enterochromaffin Cells for Intestinal Homeostasis.

The gastrointestinal tract is known as the largest endocrine organ that encounters and integrates various immune stimulations and neuronal responses due to constant environmental challenges. Enterochromaffin (EC) cells, which function as chemosensors on the gut epithelium, are known to translate environmental cues into serotonin (5-HT) production, contributing to intestinal physiology. However, how immune signals participate in gut sensation and neuroendocrine response remains unclear. Interleukin-33 (IL-33) acts as an alarmin cytokine by alerting the system of potential environmental stresses. We here demonstrate that IL-33 induced instantaneous peristaltic movement and facilitated Trichuris muris expulsion. We found that IL-33 could be sensed by EC cells, inducing release of 5-HT. IL-33-mediated 5-HT release activated enteric neurons, subsequently promoting gut motility. Mechanistically, IL-33 triggered calcium influx via a non-canonical signaling pathway specifically in EC cells to induce 5-HT secretion. Our data establish an immune-neuroendocrine axis in calibrating rapid 5-HT release for intestinal homeostasis.

Intestinal IL-33 promotes platelet activity for neutrophil recruitment during acute inflammation.

Peripheral serotonin (5-HT) is mainly generated from the gastrointestinal tract and taken up and stored by platelets in the circulation. Although the gut is recognized as a major immune organ, how intestinal local immune responses control whole-body physiology via 5-HT remains unclear. Here, we show that intestinal inflammation enhances systemic platelet activation and blood coagulation. Intestinal epithelium damage induces elevated levels of the alarm cytokine interleukin-33 (IL-33), leading to platelet activation via promotion of gut-derived 5-HT release. More importantly, we found that loss of intestinal epithelial-derived IL-33 lowers peripheral 5-HT levels, resulting in compromised platelet activation and hemostasis. Functionally, intestinal IL-33 contributes to the recruitment of neutrophils to sites of acute inflammation by enhancing platelet activities. Genetic deletion of intestinal IL-33 or neutralization of peripheral IL-33 protects animals from lipopolysaccharide endotoxic shock through attenuated neutrophil extravasation. Therefore, our data establish a distinct role of intestinal IL-33 in activating platelets by promoting 5-HT release for systemic physiology and inflammation.

Human CD141+ dendritic cells generated from adult peripheral blood monocytes.

Human CD141+ dendritic cells (DCs), specialized for cross-presentation, have been extensively studied in the development of DC-based therapy against cancer. A series of attempts was made to generate CD141+ DCs from cord blood CD34+ hematopoietic progenitors to overcome the practical limitation of in vivo rareness. In the present study, we identified a culture system that generates high CD141+ DCs. After culture of CD14+ monocytes in the presence of granulocyte macrophage colony-stimulating factor (GM-CSF) and interleukin (IL)-4 for 8 days, CD141 was detected on cells that adhered to the bottom of the culture plate. The attached cells exhibited typical features of immature monocyte-derived DCs (moDCs), except for higher CD86 expression, more dendrites and higher granularity compared with those that did not attach. With 3 additional days of culture, increased CD141 expression on the cells was retained along with adhesion ability and partial expression of CLEC9A, a c-type lectin receptor. Furthermore, the cells exhibited effective uptake of dead cells. Interestingly, the attached moDCs differently responded to polyinosinic:polycytidylic acid (poly I:C) stimulation as well as a mixed lymphocyte reaction. Collectively, our findings show that human CD141+ DCs can be sufficiently generated from peripheral blood CD14+ monocytes, potentiating further investigation into generation of higher yields of cross-priming human DCs in vitro.

Stress, Nutrition, and Intestinal Immune Responses in Pigs - A Review.

Modern livestock production became highly intensive and large scaled to increase production efficiency. This production environment could add stressors affecting the health and growth of animals. Major stressors can include environment (air quality and temperature), nutrition, and infection. These stressors can reduce growth performance and alter immune systems at systemic and local levels including the gastrointestinal tract. Heat stress increases the permeability, oxidative stress, and inflammatory responses in the gut. Nutritional stress from fasting, antinutritional compounds, and toxins induces the leakage and destruction of the tight junction proteins in the gut. Fasting is shown to suppress pro-inflammatory cytokines, whereas deoxynivalenol increases the recruitment of intestinal pro-inflammatory cytokines and the level of lymphocytes in the gut. Pathogenic and viral infections such as Enterotoxigenic E. coli (ETEC) and porcine epidemic diarrhea virus can lead to loosening the intestinal epithelial barrier. On the other hand, supplementation of Lactobacillus or Saccharaomyces reduced infectious stress by ETEC. It was noted that major stressors altered the permeability of intestinal barriers and profiles of genes and proteins of pro-inflammatory cytokines and chemokines in mucosal system in pigs. However, it is not sufficient to fully explain the mechanism of the gut immune system in pigs under stress conditions. Correlation and interaction of gut and systemic immune system under major stressors should be better defined to overcome aforementioned obstacles.

Cathepsin W restrains peripheral regulatory T cells for mucosal immune quiescence.

Peripheral regulatory T (pTreg) cells are a key T cell lineage for mucosal immune tolerance and anti-inflammatory responses, and interleukin-2 receptor (IL-2R) signaling is critical for Treg cell generation, expansion, and maintenance. The expression of IL-2R on pTreg cells is tightly regulated to ensure proper induction and function of pTreg cells without a clear molecular mechanism. We here demonstrate that Cathepsin W (CTSW), a cysteine proteinase highly induced in pTreg cells under transforming growth factor-ß stimulation is essential for the restraint of pTreg cell differentiation in an intrinsic manner. Loss of CTSW results in elevated pTreg cell generation, protecting the animals from intestinal inflammation. Mechanistically, CTSW inhibits IL-2R signaling in pTreg cells by cytosolic interaction with and process of CD25, repressing signal transducer and activator of transcription 5 activation to restrain pTreg cell generation and maintenance. Hence, our data indicate that CTSW acts as a gatekeeper to calibrate pTreg cell differentiation and function for mucosal immune quiescence.

Change of Dendritic Cell Subsets Involved in Protection Against Listeria monocytogenes Infection in Short-Term-Fasted Mice.

The gastrointestinal tract is the first organ directly affected by fasting. However, little is known about how fasting influences the intestinal immune system. Intestinal dendritic cells (DCs) capture antigens, migrate to secondary lymphoid organs, and provoke adaptive immune responses. We evaluated the changes of intestinal DCs in mice with short-term fasting and their effects on protective immunity against Listeria monocytogenes (LM). Fasting induced an increased number of CD103+CD11b- DCs in both small intestinal lamina propria (SILP) and mesenteric lymph nodes (mLN). The SILP CD103+CD11b- DCs showed proliferation and migration, coincident with increased levels of GM-CSF and C-C chemokine receptor type 7, respectively. At 24 h post-infection with LM, there was a significant reduction in the bacterial burden in the spleen, liver, and mLN of the short-term-fasted mice compared to those fed ad libitum. Also, short-term-fasted mice showed increased survival after LM infection compared with ad libitum-fed mice. It could be that significantly high TGF-ß2 and Aldh1a2 expression in CD103+CD11b- DCs in mice infected with LM might affect to increase of Foxp3+ regulatory T cells. Changes of major subset of DCs from CD103+ to CD103- may induce the increase of IFN-γ-producing cells with forming Th1-biased environment. Therefore, the short-term fasting affects protection against LM infection by changing major subset of intestinal DCs from tolerogenic to Th1 immunogenic.

Foxo1 controls gut homeostasis and commensalism by regulating mucus secretion.

Mucus produced by goblet cells in the gastrointestinal tract forms a biological barrier that protects the intestine from invasion by commensals and pathogens. However, the host-derived regulatory network that controls mucus secretion and thereby changes gut microbiota has not been well studied. Here, we identify that Forkhead box protein O1 (Foxo1) regulates mucus secretion by goblet cells and determines intestinal homeostasis. Loss of Foxo1 in intestinal epithelial cells (IECs) results in defects in goblet cell autophagy and mucus secretion, leading to an impaired gut microenvironment and dysbiosis. Subsequently, due to changes in microbiota and disruption in microbiome metabolites of short-chain fatty acids, Foxo1 deficiency results in altered organization of tight junction proteins and enhanced susceptibility to intestinal inflammation. Our study demonstrates that Foxo1 is crucial for IECs to establish commensalism and maintain intestinal barrier integrity by regulating goblet cell function.

Intranasal immunization with pneumococcal surface protein A in the presence of nanoparticle forming polysorbitol transporter adjuvant induces protective immunity against the Streptococcus pneumoniae infection.

Developing effective mucosal subunit vaccine for the Streptococcus pneumoniae has been unsuccessful mainly because of their poor immunogenicity with insufficient memory T and B cell responses. We thus address whether such limitation can be overcome by introducing effective adjuvants that can enhance immunity and show here that polysorbitol transporter (PST) serves as a mucosal adjuvant for a subunit vaccine against the Streptococcus pneumoniae. Pneumococcal surface protein A (PspA) with PST adjuvant induced protective immunity against S. pneumoniae challenge, especially long-term T and B cell immune responses. Moreover, we found that the PST preferentially induced T helper (Th) responses toward Th2 or T follicular helper (Tfh) cells and, importantly, that the responses were mediated through antigen-presenting cells via activating a peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma (PPAR-γ) pathway. Thus, these data indicate that PST can be used as an effective and safe mucosal vaccine adjuvant against S. pneumoniae infection. STATE OF SIGNIFICANCE: In this study, we suggested the nanoparticle forming adjuvant, PST works as an effective adjuvant for the pneumococcal vaccine, PspA. The PspA subunit vaccine together with PST adjuvant efficiently induced protective immunity, even in the long-term memory responses, against Streptococcus pneumoniae lethal challenge. We found that PspA with PST adjuvant induced dendritic cell activation followed by follicular helper T cell responses through PPAR-γ pathway resulting long-term memory antibody-producing cells. Consequently, in this paper, we suggest the mechanism for safe nanoparticle forming subunit vaccine adjuvant against pneumococcal infection.

Changes in bursal B cells in chicken during embryonic development and early life after hatching.

The bursa of Fabricius, the primary lymphoid organ for B cell development found only in birds, offers novel approaches to study B cell differentiation at various developmental stages. Here, we explored the changes and mechanism involved in the developmental stages of bursal B cells. The bursal B cells rapidly increased in the late embryonic stage and around hatching, which coincided with changes in specific cell surface markers. Moreover, the cells in the bursa were divided by size into small (low forward- and side-scatter) or large (high forward- and side-scatter) via flow cytometry. It is intriguing that the proportion of small and large B cells was reversed during this period. Because little is known about this phenomenon, we hypothesized that size-based B cell population could be used as an indicator to distinguish their status and stage during B cell development in chicken. The results demonstrated that large B cells are actively proliferating cells than small B cells. Additionally, large B cells showed higher mRNA expression of both proliferation- and differentiation-associated genes compared to small B cells. Taken together, these data show that large bursal B cells are the main source of proliferation and differentiation during B cell development in chickens.

A new way of producing pediocin in Pediococcus acidilactici through intracellular stimulation by internalized inulin nanoparticles.

One of the most challenging aspects of probiotics as a replacement for antibiotics is to enhance their antimicrobial activity against pathogens. Given that prebiotics stimulate the growth and/or activity of probiotics, we developed phthalyl inulin nanoparticles (PINs) as prebiotics and observed their effects on the cellular and antimicrobial activities of Pediococcus acidilactici (PA). First, we assessed the internalization of PINs into PA. The internalization of PINs was largely regulated by glucose transporters in PA, and the process was energy-dependent. Once internalized, PINs induced PA to produce substantial amounts of antimicrobial peptide (pediocin), which is effective against both Gram-positive (Salmonella Gallinarum) and Gram-negative (Listeria monocytogenes) pathogens. When treated with small-sized PINs, PA witnessed a nine-fold increase in antimicrobial activity. The rise in pediocin activity in PA treated with PINs was accompanied by enhanced expression of stress response genes (groEL, groES, dnaK) and pediocin biosynthesis genes (pedA, pedD). Although the mechanism is not clear, it appears that the internalization of PINs by PA causes mild stress to activate the PA defense system, leading to increased production of pediocin. Overall, we identified a prebiotic in nanoparticle form for intracellular stimulation of probiotics, demonstrating a new avenue for the biological production of antimicrobial peptides.

Regulation of CD4+CD8-CD25+ and CD4+CD8+CD25+ T cells by gut microbiota in chicken.

The gut microbiota in chicken has long been studied, mostly from the perspective of growth performance. However, there are some immunological studies regarding gut homeostasis in chicken. Although CD4+CD25+ T cells are reported to act as regulatory T cells (Tregs) in chicken, there have been no studies showing the relationship between gut microbiota and Tregs. Therefore, we established a model for 'antibiotics (ABX)-treated chickens' through administration of an antibiotic cocktail consisting of ampicillin, gentamycin, neomycin, metronidazole, and vancomycin in water for 7 days. CD4+CD8-CD25+ and CD4+CD8+CD25+ T cells in cecal tonsils were significantly decreased in this model. Gram-positive bacteria, especially Clostridia, was responsible for the changes in CD4+CD8-CD25+ or CD4+CD8+CD25+ T cells in cecal tonsils. Feeding ABX-treated chickens with acetate recovered CD4+CD8-CD25+ and CD4+CD8+CD25+ T cells in cecal tonsils. GPR43, a receptor for acetate, was highly expressed in CD4+CD8-CD25+ T cells. In conclusion, our study demonstrated that the gut microbiota can regulate the population of CD4+CD8-CD25+ and CD4+CD8+CD25+ T cells, and that acetate is responsible for the induction of CD4+CD8-CD25+ T cells in cecal tonsils via GPR43.

Transcription Factor KLF10 Constrains IL-17-Committed Vγ4+ γδ T Cells.

γδ T cells, known to be an important source of innate IL-17 in mice, provide critical contributions to host immune responses. Development and function of γδ T cells are directed by networks of diverse transcription factors (TFs). Here, we examine the role of the zinc finger TFs, Kruppel-like factor 10 (KLF10), in the regulation of IL-17-committed CD27- γδ T (γδ27--17) cells. We found selective augmentation of Vγ4+ γδ27- cells with higher IL-17 production in KLF10-deficient mice. Surprisingly, KLF10-deficient CD127hi Vγ4+ γδ27--17 cells expressed higher levels of CD5 than their wild-type counterparts, with hyper-responsiveness to cytokine, but not T-cell receptor, stimuli. Thymic maturation of Vγ4+ γδ27- cells was enhanced in newborn mice deficient in KLF10. Finally, a mixed bone marrow chimera study indicates that intrinsic KLF10 signaling is requisite to limit Vγ4+ γδ27--17 cells. Collectively, these findings demonstrate that KLF10 regulates thymic development of Vγ4+ γδ27- cells and their peripheral homeostasis at steady state.

Distinct pattern of immune tolerance in dendritic cells treated with lipopolysaccharide or lipoteichoic acid.

Cytokine induction is often critical for the host defense during acute immune responses while, if not tightly regulated, it may cause an immunological pathology coincident with tissue damage. Despite the fact that gram-positive bacterial infection has become increasingly prevalent, immune modulation induced by lipoteichoic acid (LTA), the major cell wall component of gram-positive bacteria has not been studied thoroughly at the cellular level. In the current study, tolerance induction in mouse bone marrow-derived dendritic cells (BMDCs) treated with single or repeated stimulation of Staphylococcus aureus LTA was compared with those of Escherichia coli lipopolysaccharide (LPS). The results showed that repeated LTA stimulation significantly suppressed pro-inflammatory cytokine (TNF-α and IL-6) production in BMDCs, comparable to that of LPS, but with less extent, down-regulated IL-10 and enhanced the inhibitory molecule, LAG-3-associated protein (LAP). Furthermore, we observed a sustained expression of unique negative regulators, Toll interacting protein (TOLLIP) and Indoleamine 2,3-dioxygenase (IDO), in BMDCs treated with LTA. A transient hyporesponsiveness period appeared when DCs were treated repeatedly with LTA or LPS showing a distinctive pattern. Intriguingly, LPS exposure induced cross tolerance to LTA while LTA exposure did not to LPS, implicating that a distinct signaling components are involved in response to LTA. Collectively, a distinct immune regulation appeared to be responsible for the LPS- and LTA-induced tolerance on cytokine production, expression of surface markers and intracellular proteins.

H9N2-specific IgG and CD4+CD25+ T cells in broilers fed a diet supplemented with organic acids.

Organic acids have long been known for their beneficial effects on growth performance in domestic animals. However, their impact on immune responses against viral antigens in chickens is unclear. The present study aimed to investigate immunological parameters in broilers immunized with a H9N2 vaccine and/or fed a diet containing organic acids (citric, formic, and lactic acids). We allotted 1-day-old broilers into 4 groups: control (C), fed a diet supplemented with organic acids (O), administered a H9N2 vaccine (V), and fed a diet supplemented with organic acids and administered a H9N2 vaccine (OV). Blood and spleen samples were taken at 2, 7 and 14 d post vaccination (DPV). At 14 DPV, total and H9N2-specific IgG levels were significantly lower in the OV group than in the V group. However, it was intriguing to observe that at 2 DPV, the percentage of CD4+CD25+ T cells was significantly higher in the OV group than in the other groups, indicating the potential induction of regulatory T cells by organic acids. In contrast, at 2 DPV, the percentage of CD4+CD28+ T cells were significantly lower in the OV group than in the other groups, suggesting that CD28 molecules are down-regulated by the treatment. The expression of CD28 on CD4+ T cells, up-regulated by the stimulation with phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate (PMA) and ionomycin (Iono), was inhibited upon organic acid treatment in OV group. In addition, the proliferation of lymphocytes, stimulated with formalin-inactivated H9N2, was significantly higher in the V group than in the OV group. Alpha 1-acid glycoprotein (AGP) production was significantly lower in the OV group than in the V group, suggesting that the organic acids inhibited the inflammation caused by the vaccination. Overall, induction of regulatory CD4+CD25+ T cells, coinciding with the decrease of H9N2-specific antibodies, was observed in broilers fed organic acids.

Systemic administration of RANKL overcomes the bottleneck of oral vaccine delivery through microfold cells in ileum.

A successful delivery of antigen through oral route requires to overcome several barriers, such as enzymatic barrier of gastrointestinal tract and epithelial barrier that constitutes of microfold cells (M cells) for antigen uptake. Although each barrier represents a critical step in determining the final efficiency of antigen delivery, the transcytosis of antigen by M cells in the follicle-associated epithelium (FAE) to Peyer's patches appears to be a major bottleneck. Considering the systemic administration of receptor activator of nuclear factor (NF)-ĸB ligand (RANKL) induces differentiation of receptor activator of nuclear factor (NF)-ĸB (RANK)-expressing enterocytes into M cells, here, we illustrated a promising approach of antigen delivery using full length transmembrane RANKL (mRANKL). The results showed that the intraperitoneal injection of mRANKL increased the population of dendritic cells and macrophages in mesenteric lymph nodes and spleen. Subsequently, systemic administration of mRANKL resulted in significantly higher number of functional GP2(+) M cells leading higher transcytosis of fluorescent beads through them. To corroborate the effect of mRANKL in antigen delivery through M cells, we orally delivered microparticulate antigen to mice treated with mRANKL. Oral immunization induced strong protective IgA and systemic IgG antibody responses against orally delivered antigen in mRANKL-treated mice. The higher antibody responses are attributed to the higher transcytosis of antigens through M cells. Ultimately, the higher memory B cells and effector memory CD4 T cells after oral immunization in RANKL-treated mice confirmed potency of RANKL-mediated antigen delivery. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first study to demonstrate significant induction of mucosal and humoral immune responses to M cell targeted oral vaccines after the systemic administration of RANKL.

A Bacterial Metabolite, Compound K, Induces Programmed Necrosis in MCF-7 Cells via GSK3ß.

Ginsenosides, the major active component of ginseng, are traditionally used to treat various diseases, including cancer, inflammation, and obesity. Among these, compound K (CK), an intestinal bacterial metabolite of the ginsenosides Rb1, Rb2, and Rc from Bacteroides JY-6, is reported to inhibit cancer cell growth by inducing cell-cycle arrest or cell death, including apoptosis and necrosis. However, the precise effect of CK on breast cancer cells remains unclear. MCF-7 cells were treated with CK (0-70 micrometer) for 24 or 48 h. Cell proliferation and death were evaluated by 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide (MTT) and flow cytometry assays, respectively. Changes in downstream signaling molecules involved in cell death, including glycogen synthase kinase 3ß (GSK3ß), GSK3ß, ß-catenin, and cyclin D1, were analyzed by western blot assay. To block GSK3ß signaling, MCF-7 cells were pretreated with GSK3ß inhibitors 1 h prior to CK treatment. Cell death and the expression of ß-catenin and cyclin D1 were then examined. CK dose- and time-dependently inhibited MCF-7 cell proliferation. Interestingly, CK induced programmed necrosis, but not apoptosis, via the GSK3ß signaling pathway in MCF-7 cells. CK inhibited GSK3ß phosphorylation, thereby suppressing the expression of ß-catenin and cyclin D1. Our results suggest that CK induces programmed necrosis in MCF-7 breast cancer cells via the GSK3ß signaling pathway.

Exploring the genetic signature of body size in Yucatan miniature pig.

Since being domesticated about 10,000-12,000 years ago, domestic pigs (Sus scrofa domesticus) have been selected for traits of economic importance, in particular large body size. However, Yucatan miniature pigs have been selected for small body size to withstand high temperature environment and for laboratory use. This renders the Yucatan miniature pig a valuable model for understanding the evolution of body size. We investigate the genetic signature for selection of body size in the Yucatan miniature pig. Phylogenetic distance of Yucatan miniature pig was compared to other large swine breeds (Yorkshire, Landrace, Duroc and wild boar). By estimating the XP-EHH statistic using re-sequencing data derived from 70 pigs, we were able to unravel the signatures of selection of body size. We found that both selections at the level of organism, and at the cellular level have occurred. Selection at the higher levels include feed intake, regulation of body weight and increase in mass while selection at the molecular level includes cell cycle and cell proliferation. Positively selected genes probed by XP-EHH may provide insight into the docile character and innate immunity as well as body size of Yucatan miniature pig.