Th17 Cell-Derived Amphiregulin Promotes Colitis-Associated Intestinal Fibrosis Through Activation of mTOR and MEK in Intestinal Myofibroblasts.

BACKGROUND & AIMS: Intestinal fibrosis is a significant complication of Crohn's disease (CD). Gut microbiota reactive Th17 cells are crucial in the pathogenesis of CD; however, how Th17 cells induce intestinal fibrosis is still not completely understood. METHODS: In this study, T-cell transfer model with wild-type (WT) and Areg-/- Th17 cells and dextran sulfate sodium (DSS)-induced chronic colitis model in WT and Areg-/- mice were used. CD4+ T-cell expression of AREG was determined by quantitative reverse-transcriptase polymerase chain reaction and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. The effect of AREG on proliferation/migration/collagen expression in human intestinal myofibroblasts was determined. AREG expression was assessed in healthy controls and patients with CD with or without intestinal fibrosis. RESULTS: Although Th1 and Th17 cells induced intestinal inflammation at similar levels when transferred into Tcrßxδ-/- mice, Th17 cells induced more severe intestinal fibrosis. Th17 cells expressed higher levels of AREG than Th1 cells. Areg-/- mice developed less severe intestinal fibrosis compared with WT mice on DSS insults. Transfer of Areg-/- Th17 cells induced less severe fibrosis in Tcrßxδ-/- mice compared with WT Th17 cells. Interleukin (IL)6 and IL21 promoted AREG expression in Th17 cells by activating Stat3. Stat3 inhibitor suppressed Th17-induced intestinal fibrosis. AREG promoted human intestinal myofibroblast proliferation, motility, and collagen I expression, which was mediated by activating mammalian target of rapamycin and MEK. AREG expression was increased in intestinal CD4+ T cells in fibrotic sites compared with nonfibrotic sites from patients with CD. CONCLUSIONS: These findings reveal that Th17-derived AREG promotes intestinal fibrotic responses in experimental colitis and human patients with CD. Thereby, AREG might serve as a potential therapeutic target for fibrosis in CD.

MicroRNA-10a Negatively Regulates CD4+ T Cell IL-10 Production through Suppression of Blimp1.

An uncontrolled CD4+ T cell response is a critical hallmark of autoimmune diseases. IL-10, which can be produced by both effector and regulatory CD4+ T cells, plays an essential role in the inhibition of autoimmunity. MicroRNAs are key molecules involved in regulating immune responses. However, how miR-10a regulates CD4+ T cell function in the pathogenesis of intestinal immune responses is not fully understood. In this study, we show that the mice with deficient miR-10a in CD4+ T cells were more resistant to intestinal inflammation upon inflammatory insult. miR-10a-deficient CD4+CD45Rbhi T cells were less colitogenic in Rag -/- mice, in which CD4+ T cell production of IL-10 was increased. miR-10a-deficient CD4+ T cells expressed a higher expression of IL-10 in vitro. Blocking the IL-10/IL-10R pathway in vivo aggravated colitis induced by miR-10a-deficient CD4+CD45Rbhi T cells. Mechanically, miR-10a suppressed CD4+ T cell production of IL-10 through targeting Prdm1, which encodes Blimp1. We further show that that CD4+ T cells lacking Blimp1 produced lower levels of IL-10 and induced more severe colitis in Rag -/- mice. These data thus establish the role of miR-10a in the inhibition of IL-10 production in CD4+ T cells to regulate intestinal homeostasis.

L-lactate promotes intestinal epithelial cell migration to inhibit colitis.

Lactate, one of the most common primary metabolites of bacteria and human cells, has been shown to play essential roles in the regulation of inflammatory diseases, including inflammatory bowel diseases. However, whether and how host-derived lactate affects intestinal epithelial homeostasis is still not completely understood. Here, we investigated how L-lactate, mainly produced by host cells, regulates intestinal epithelial cell (IEC) migration to promote intestinal wound healing. Using video microscopy and tracking individual cells, we found that L-lactate enhanced IEC migration in direction persistence and speed. Mechanistically, L-lactate promoted IEC mitochondrial ATP production. The mitochondrial ATP synthase inhibitor, oligomycin, significantly decreased IEC persistence and speed, which inhibited cell migration induced by L-lactate. Furthermore, administering mice with L-lactate suppressed colitis induced by dextran sulfate sodium. In conclusion, our study demonstrates that host-derived L-lactate promotes IEC mitochondrial ATP production to drive cell migration, promoting intestinal wound healing to alleviate intestinal inflammation.

IL-21 Promotes Intestinal Memory IgA Responses.

The role of IL-21, produced mainly by Th17 cells and T follicular helper cells, has been intensively investigated in B cell differentiation and Ab class switch. However, how IL-21 regulates memory IgA+ B cell development and memory IgA responses in the intestines is still not completely understood. In this study, we found the total IgA+ B cells as well as CD38+CD138-IgA+ memory B cells were significantly increased in intestinal lamina propria (LP) of TCRßxδ-/- mice after transfer of microbiota Ag-specific Th17 cells but not Th1 cells. Although IL-21R-/- mice or IL-17R-/- mice showed decreased Ag-specific memory IgA production in the intestines upon infection with Citrobacter rodentium, the percentage of IgA+CD38+CD138- memory B cells in Peyer's patches and LP was decreased only in IL-21R-/- mice, but not in IL-17R-/- mice, after reinfection with C. rodentium compared with wild-type mice. Blockade IL-21 in vivo suppressed intestinal C. rodentium-specific IgA production as well as IgA+CD38+CD138- memory B cells in Peyer's patches and LP. Furthermore, IL-21 significantly induced B cell IgA production in vitro, with the increased expression of genes related with class-switching and memory B cell development, including Aicda, Ski, Bmi1, and Klf2. Consistently, Aicda and Ski expression was decreased in B cells of IL-21R-/- mice after C. rodentium reinfection. In conclusion, our study demonstrated that IL-21 promotes intestinal memory IgA B cell development, possibly through upregulating differentiation-related and class switching-related genes, indicating a potential role of IL-21 in memory IgA+ B cell responses in the intestines.

STING controls intestinal homeostasis through promoting antimicrobial peptide expression in epithelial cells.

Stimulator of interferon genes (STING) has been shown to play a critical role in orchestrating immune responses to various pathogens through sensing cyclic dinucleotides. However, how STING regulates intestinal homeostasis is still not completely understood. In this study, we found that STING-/- mice were more susceptible to enteric infection with Citrobacter rodentium compared to wild-type (WT) mice evidenced by more severe intestinal inflammation and impaired bacterial clearance. STING-/- mice demonstrated lower expression of REG3γ but not ß-defensins and Cramp in IECs. Consistently, STING-/- IECs showed reduced capacity to inhibit bacterial growth. STING agonists, both 10-carboxymethyl-9-acridanone (CMA) and 5,6-dimethylxanthenone-4-acetic acid (DMXAA), promoted REG3γ expression IECs. Furthermore, STING agonists promoted WT but not REG3γ-deficient IEC bacterial killing. Mechanistically, STING agonists activated STAT3 and promoted glycolysis in IECs. Inhibition of STAT3 pathway and glycolysis suppressed STING-induced REG3γ production in IECs, and abrogated STING-mediated IEC killing of C. rodentium. Additionally, treatment with the STING ligand, 2,3-cGAMP, inhibited C. rodentium-induced colitis in vivo. Overall, STING promotes IEC REG3γ expression to inhibit enteric infection and intestinal inflammation, thus, maintaining the intestinal homeostasis.

Microbiota Metabolite Short-Chain Fatty Acids Facilitate Mucosal Adjuvant Activity of Cholera Toxin through GPR43.

The gut microbiota has been shown critical for mucosal adjuvant activity of cholera toxin (CT), a potent mucosal adjuvant. However, the mechanisms involved remain largely unknown. In this study, we report that depletion of gut bacteria significantly decreased mucosal and systemic Ab responses in mice orally immunized with OVA and CT. Feeding mice short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs) promoted Ab responses elicited by CT, and, more importantly, rescued Ab responses in antibiotic-treated mice. In addition, mice deficient in GPR43, a receptor for SCFAs, showed impaired adjuvant activity of CT. Administering CT did not promote SCFA production in the intestines; thus, SCFAs facilitated but did not directly mediate the adjuvant activity of CT. SCFAs promoted B cell Ab production by promoting dendritic cell production of BAFF and ALDH1a2, which induced B cell expression of IFN regulatory factor 4, Blimp1, and XBP1, the plasma B cell differentiation-related genes. Furthermore, when infected with Citrobacter rodentium, GPR43-/- mice exhibited decreased Ab responses and were more susceptible to infection, whereas the administration of SCFAs promoted intestinal Ab responses in wild-type mice. Our study thereby demonstrated a critical role of gut microbiota and their metabolite SCFAs in promoting mucosal adjuvant activity of CT through GPR43.

Neutrophils Promote Amphiregulin Production in Intestinal Epithelial Cells through TGF-ß and Contribute to Intestinal Homeostasis.

Neutrophils are the first responders to sites of inflammation when the intestinal epithelial barrier is breached and the gut microbiota invade. Despite current efforts in understanding the role of neutrophils in intestinal homeostasis, the complex interactions between neutrophils and intestinal epithelial cells (IECs) is still not well characterized. In this study, we demonstrated that neutrophils enhanced production of amphiregulin (AREG), a member of the EGFR ligand family, by IECs, which promoted IEC barrier function and tissue repair. Depletion of neutrophils resulted in more severe colitis in mice because of decreased AREG production by IECs upon dextran sodium sulfate (DSS) insult. Administration of AREG restored epithelial barrier function and ameliorated colitis. Furthermore, neutrophil-derived TGF-ß promoted AREG production by IECs. Mechanistically, TGF-ß activated MEK1/2 signaling, and inhibition of MEK1/2 abrogated TGF-ß-induced AREG production by IECs. Collectively, these findings reveal that neutrophils play an important role in the maintenance of IEC barrier function and homeostasis.

GPR120 promotes neutrophil control of intestinal bacterial infection.

G-protein coupled receptor 120 (GPR 120) has been implicated in anti-inflammatory functions. However, how GPR120 regulates the neutrophil function remains unknown. This study investigated the role of GPR120 in the regulation of neutrophil function against enteric bacteria. 16S rRNA sequencing was used for measuring the gut microbiota of wild-type (WT) mice and Gpr120-/- mice. Citrobacter rodentium infection and dextran sulfate sodium (DSS)-induced colitis models were performed in WT and Gpr120-/- mice. Mouse peritoneal-derived primary neutrophils were used to determine the neutrophil functions. Gpr120-/- mice showed altered microbiota composition. Gpr120-/- mice exhibited less capacity to clear intestinal Citrobacter rodentium and more severe intestinal inflammation upon infection or DSS insults. Depletion of neutrophils decreased the intestinal clearance of Citrobacter rodentium. GPR120 agonist, CpdA, enhanced WT neutrophil production of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and extracellular traps (NETs), and GPR120-deficient neutrophils demonstrated a lower level of ROS and NETs. CpdA-treated neutrophils showed an enhanced capacity to inhibit the growth of Citrobacter rodentium, which was abrogated by the inhibition of either NETs or ROS. CpdA promoted neutrophil inhibition of the growth of commensal bacteria Escherichia coli O9:H4 and pathobiont Escherichia coli O83:H1 isolated from a Crohn's disease patient. Mechanically, mTOR activation and glycolysis mediated GPR120 induction of ROS and NETs in neutrophils. Additionally, CpdA promoted the neutrophil production of IL-17 and IL-22, and treatment with a conditioned medium of GPR120-activated neutrophils increased intestinal epithelial cell barrier functions. Our study demonstrated the critical role of GPR120 in neutrophils in protection against enteric bacterial invasion.

Glucose promotes regulatory T cell differentiation to maintain intestinal homeostasis.

Glucose, the critical energy source in the human body, is considered a potential risk factor in various autoimmune diseases when consumed in high amounts. However, the roles of glucose at moderate doses in the regulation of autoimmune inflammatory diseases and CD4+ T cell responses are controversial. Here, we show that while glucose at a high concentration (20% w/v) promotes intestinal inflammation, it suppresses colitis at a moderate dose (6% w/v), which increases the proportion of intestinal regulatory T (Treg) cells but does not affect effector CD4+ T cells. Glucose treatment promotes Treg cell differentiation but it does not affect Treg stability. Feeding glucose alters gut microbiota compositions, which are not involved in the glucose induction of Treg cells. Glucose promotes aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AhR) activation to induce Treg polarization. These findings reveal the different effects of glucose at different doses on the intestinal immune response.

Propionate Enhances Cell Speed and Persistence to Promote Intestinal Epithelial Turnover and Repair.

BACKGROUND AND AIMS: Gut bacteria-derived short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs) play crucial roles in the maintenance of intestinal homeostasis. However, how SCFAs regulate epithelial turnover and tissue repair remain incompletely understood. In this study, we investigated how the SCFA propionate regulates cell migration to promote epithelial renewal and repair. METHODS: Mouse small intestinal epithelial cells (MSIE) and human Caco-2 cells were used to determine the effects of SCFAs on gene expression, proliferation, migration, and cell spreading in vitro. Video microscopy and single cell tracking were used to assess cell migration kinetically. 5-bromo-2'-deoxyuridine (BrdU) and hydroxyurea were used to assess the effects of SCFAs on migration in vivo. Lastly, an acute colitis model using dextran sulfate sodium (DSS) was used to examine the effects of SCFAs in vivo. RESULTS: Using video microscopy and single cell tracking, we found that propionate promoted intestinal epithelial cell migration by enhancing cell spreading and polarization, which led to increases in both cell speed and persistence. This novel function of propionate was dependent on inhibition of class I histone deacetylases (HDAC) and GPR43 and required signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 (STAT3). Furthermore, using 5-bromo-2'-deoxyuridine (BrdU) and hydroxyurea in vivo, we found that propionate enhanced cell migration up the crypt-villus axis under homeostatic conditions, while also protecting against ulcer formation in experimental colitis. CONCLUSION: Our results demonstrate a mechanism by which propionate stimulates cell migration in an HDAC inhibition, GPR43, and STAT3 dependent manner, and suggest that propionate plays an important role in epithelial migration independent of proliferation.

Intestinal microbiota-derived short-chain fatty acids regulation of immune cell IL-22 production and gut immunity.

Innate lymphoid cells (ILCs) and CD4+ T cells produce IL-22, which is critical for intestinal immunity. The microbiota is central to IL-22 production in the intestines; however, the factors that regulate IL-22 production by CD4+ T cells and ILCs are not clear. Here, we show that microbiota-derived short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs) promote IL-22 production by CD4+ T cells and ILCs through G-protein receptor 41 (GPR41) and inhibiting histone deacetylase (HDAC). SCFAs upregulate IL-22 production by promoting aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AhR) and hypoxia-inducible factor 1α (HIF1α) expression, which are differentially regulated by mTOR and Stat3. HIF1α binds directly to the Il22 promoter, and SCFAs increase HIF1α binding to the Il22 promoter through histone modification. SCFA supplementation enhances IL-22 production, which protects intestines from inflammation. SCFAs promote human CD4+ T cell IL-22 production. These findings establish the roles of SCFAs in inducing IL-22 production in CD4+ T cells and ILCs to maintain intestinal homeostasis.

Gut microbiota metabolite regulation of host defenses at mucosal surfaces: implication in precision medicine.

The gut microbiota has a well-established role in the regulation of host homeostasis. Multiple factors control the composition and function of the microbiota. The westernization of diet, a shift away from nutrient-dense foods toward diets high in saturated fats, has been implicated in the rise of chronic inflammatory diseases such as inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). Diet is critical in the development and maintenance of a healthy microbiome, where dietary fiber (found in the highest amounts in fruits, vegetables, and legumes) is metabolized by the microbiome. In turn, the bacterial metabolites of dietary fiber, short chain fatty acids (SCFAs), regulate gut homeostasis. SCFAs engage G-protein coupled receptors (GPRs) and act as histone deacetylase inhibitors (HDACi) to module epithelial and immune cell functions in the intestines, where they generally promote an anti-inflammatory state. This review highlights the functions of SCFAs and their roles in the pathogenesis of IBD to provide insights into their potential therapeutic application for the treatment of IBD for the purposes of precision medicine.

Serine Threonine Kinase 17A Maintains the Epithelial State in Colorectal Cancer Cells.

Serine threonine kinase 17A (STK17A) is a ubiquitously expressed kinase originally identified as a regulator of apoptosis; however, whether it functionally contributes to colorectal cancer has not been established. Here, we have analyzed STK17A in colorectal cancer and demonstrated decreased expression of STK17A in primary tumors, which is further reduced in metastatic lesions, indicating a potential role in regulating the metastatic cascade. Interestingly, changes in STK17A expression did not modify proliferation, apoptosis, or sensitivity of colorectal cancer cell lines to treatment with the chemotherapeutic 5-fluorouracil. Instead, STK17A knockdown induced a robust mesenchymal phenotype consistent with the epithelial-mesenchymal transition, including spindle-like cell morphology, decreased expression of adherens junction proteins, and increased migration and invasion. Additionally, overexpression of STK17A decreased cell size and induced widespread membrane blebbing, a phenotype often associated with activation of cell contractility. Indeed, STK17A-overexpressing cells displayed heightened phosphorylation of myosin light chain in a manner dependent on STK17A catalytic activity. Finally, patient-derived tumor organoid cultures were used to more accurately determine STK17A's effect in primary human tumor cells. Loss of STK17A induced morphologic changes, decreased E-cadherin, increased invasion, and augmented organoid attachment on 2D substrates, all together suggesting a more metastatic phenotype. Collectively, these data indicate a novel role for STK17A in the regulation of epithelial phenotypes and indicate its functional contribution to colorectal cancer invasion and metastasis. IMPLICATIONS: Loss of serine threonine kinase 17A occurs in colorectal cancer metastasis, induces mesenchymal morphologies, and contributes to tumor cell invasion and migration in colorectal cancer.

GPR43 mediates microbiota metabolite SCFA regulation of antimicrobial peptide expression in intestinal epithelial cells via activation of mTOR and STAT3.

The antimicrobial peptides (AMP) produced by intestinal epithelial cells (IEC) play crucial roles in the regulation of intestinal homeostasis by controlling microbiota. Gut microbiota has been shown to promote IEC expression of RegIIIγ and certain defensins. However, the mechanisms involved are still not completely understood. In this report, we found that IEC expression levels of RegIIIγ and ß-defensins 1, 3, and 4 were lower in G protein-coupled receptor (GPR)43-/- mice compared to that of wild-type (WT) mice. Oral feeding with short-chain fatty acids (SCFA) promoted IEC production of RegIIIγ and defensins in mice. Furthermore, SCFA induced RegIIIγ and ß-defensins in intestinal epithelial enteroids generated from WT but not GPR43-/- mice. Mechanistically, SCFA activated mTOR and STAT3 in IEC, and knockdown of mTOR and STAT3 impaired SCFA induction of AMP production. Our studies thus demonstrated that microbiota metabolites SCFA promoted IEC RegIIIγ and ß-defensins in a GPR43-dependent manner. The data thereby provide a novel pathway by which microbiota regulates IEC expression of AMP and intestinal homeostasis.