Interleukin-22 promotes intestinal-stem-cell-mediated epithelial regeneration

Epithelial regeneration is critical for barrier maintenance and organ function after intestinal injury. The intestinal stem cell (ISC) niche provides Wnt, Notch and epidermal growth factor (EGF) signals supporting Lgr5(+) crypt base columnar ISCs for normal epithelial maintenance. However, little is known about the regulation of the ISC compartment after tissue damage. Using ex vivo organoid cultures, here we show that innate lymphoid cells (ILCs), potent producers of interleukin-22 (IL-22) after intestinal injury, increase the growth of mouse small intestine organoids in an IL-22-dependent fashion. Recombinant IL-22 directly targeted ISCs, augmenting the growth of both mouse and human intestinal organoids, increasing proliferation and promoting ISC expansion. IL-22 induced STAT3 phosphorylation in Lgr5(+) ISCs, and STAT3 was crucial for both organoid formation and IL-22-mediated regeneration. Treatment with IL-22 in vivo after mouse allogeneic bone marrow transplantation enhanced the recovery of ISCs, increased epithelial regeneration and reduced intestinal pathology and mortality from graft-versus-host disease. ATOH1-deficient organoid culture demonstrated that IL-22 induced epithelial regeneration independently of the Paneth cell niche. Our findings reveal a fundamental mechanism by which the immune system is able to support the intestinal epithelium, activating ISCs to promote regeneration.

Colorectal tissue engineering: A comparative study between porcine small intestinal submucosa (SIS) and chitosan hydrogel patches

OBJECTIVE

Tissue engineering may provide new operative tools for colorectal surgery in elective indications. The aim of this study was to define a suitable bioscaffold for colorectal tissue engineering.

METHODS

We compared 2 bioscaffolds with in vitro and in vivo experiments: porcine small intestinal submucosa (SIS) versus chitosan hydrogel matrix. We assessed nontoxicity of the scaffold in vitro by using human adipose-derived stem cells (hADSC). In vivo, a 1 × 2-cm colonic wall defect was created in 16 rabbits. Animals were divided randomly into 2 groups according to the graft used, SIS or chitosan hydrogel. Graft area was explanted at 4 and 8 weeks. The end points of in vivo experiments were technical feasibility, behavior of the scaffold, in situ putative inflammatory effect, and the quality of tissue regeneration, in particular smooth muscle layer regeneration.

RESULTS

In vitro, hADSC attachment and proliferation occurred on both scaffolds without a substantial difference. After proliferation, hADSCs kept their mesenchymal stem cell characteristics. In vivo, one animal died in each group. Eight weeks after implantation, the chitosan scaffold allowed better wound healing compared with the SIS scaffold, with more effective control of inflammatory activity and an integral regeneration of the colonic wall including the smooth muscle cell layer.

CONCLUSION

The outcomes of in vitro experiments did not differ greatly between the 2 groups. Macroscopic and histologic findings, however, revealed better wound healing of the colonic wall in the chitosan group suggesting that the chitosan hydrogel could serve as a better scaffold for colorectal tissue engineering.

The traditional herbal medicine, Ge-Gen-Tang, inhibits pacemaker potentials by nitric oxide/cGMP dependent ATP-sensitive K(+) channels in cultured interstitial cells of Cajal from mouse small intestine

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE

Ge-Gen-Tang (GGT) is a traditional Chinese medicinal formula composed of Puerariae radix (Pueraria lobata Ohwi), Ephedrae Herba (Ephedra sinica Stapf), Cinnamomi Ramulus (Cinnamomum cassia Blume), Paeoniae Radix (Paeonia lactiflora Pallas), Glycyrrhizae Radix preparata (Glycyrrhiza uralensis Fischer), Zingiberis Rhizoma (Zingiber officinale Roscoe), and Zizyphi Fructus (Ziziphus jujuba Mill. var. inermis Rehder) and is widely used to ameoliorate the symptoms of gastrointestinal (GI) disorders related to diarrhea and intestinal mucosal immunity and for anti-cold, antipyretic and analgesic in Eastern Asia.

AIM OF THE STUDY

Interstitial cells of Cajal (ICCs) are pacemaker cells in the GI tract that generate rhythmic oscillations in membrane potentials known as slow waves. We investigated the effects of GGT on pacemaker potentials in cultured ICCs from the mouse small intestine, and sought to identify the receptors and the action mechanisms involved.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Enzymatic digestions were used to dissociate ICCs from mouse small intestine tissues. All experiments on ICCs were performed on within 12h after culture. A whole-cell patch-clamp configuration was used to record potentials (current clamp) from cultured ICCs. Intracellular Ca(2+) ([Ca(2+)]i) increase was studied in cultured ICCs using fura-2AM. All of the experiments were performed at 30-32°C.

RESULTS

Under the current clamping mode, GGT decreased the amplitude and frequency of pacemaker potentials; however, these effects were blocked by intracellular GDPβS, a G-protein inhibitor, and glibenclamide, a specific ATP-sensitive K(+) channels blocker. Prazosin (α1-adrenoceptor antagonist) and butoxamine (β2-adrenoceptor antagonist) did not block the GGT-induced effects, whereas atenolol (β1-adrenoceptor antagonist) blocked the GGT-induced effects. Also, yohimbine (α2-adrenoceptor antagonist) partially blocked the GGT-induced effects. Pretreatment with SQ-22536, an adenylate cyclase inhibitor, did not block the GGT-induced effects, whereas pretreatment with ODQ, a guanylate cyclase inhibitor, or L-NAME, an inhibitor of nitric oxide (NO) synthase, did. Additionally, [Ca(2+)]i analysis showed that GGT decreased [Ca(2+)]i.

CONCLUSION

These results suggest that GGT inhibits pacemaker potentials in ICCs in a G protein-, cGMP- and NO-dependent manner through stimulation of α2 and β1-adrenoceptors.

[Bone and Nutrition. Vitamin D independent calcium absorption]

Vitamin D endocrine system is required for normal calcium and bone homeostasis. Trans-epithelial calcium absorption is initiated with calcium entry into the intestinal epithelial cells from luminal fluid through calcium permeable channels, and those expressions are strongly supported by vitamin D action. On the other hands, dietary treatment, mineral supplementation or restriction, successfully improves intestinal calcium absorption in global vitamin D receptor knock-out (VDR KO) mice, though vitamin D dependent active transport pathway is lacking. Dietary rescue of intestinal calcium absorption provided a positive calcium balance in this mouse model, and suggested that the major role of vitamin D function on calcium homeostasis was considered to be intestinal active absorption. To elucidate the entire process of intestinal calcium absorption, vitamin D independent calcium transport system was characterized into either trans-cellular or para-cellular process.

Gremlin 1 identifies a skeletal stem cell with bone, cartilage, and reticular stromal potential

The stem cells that maintain and repair the postnatal skeleton remain undefined. One model suggests that perisinusoidal mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) give rise to osteoblasts, chondrocytes, marrow stromal cells, and adipocytes, although the existence of these cells has not been proven through fate-mapping experiments. We demonstrate here that expression of the bone morphogenetic protein (BMP) antagonist gremlin 1 defines a population of osteochondroreticular (OCR) stem cells in the bone marrow. OCR stem cells self-renew and generate osteoblasts, chondrocytes, and reticular marrow stromal cells, but not adipocytes. OCR stem cells are concentrated within the metaphysis of long bones not in the perisinusoidal space and are needed for bone development, bone remodeling, and fracture repair. Grem1 expression also identifies intestinal reticular stem cells (iRSCs) that are cells of origin for the periepithelial intestinal mesenchymal sheath. Grem1 expression identifies distinct connective tissue stem cells in both the bone (OCR stem cells) and the intestine (iRSCs).

Stimulation of GLP-1 secretion downstream of the ligand-gated ion channel TRPA1

Stimulus-coupled incretin secretion from enteroendocrine cells plays a fundamental role in glucose homeostasis and could be targeted for the treatment of type 2 diabetes. Here, we investigated the expression and function of transient receptor potential (TRP) ion channels in enteroendocrine L cells producing GLP-1. By microarray and quantitative PCR analysis, we identified trpa1 as an L cell-enriched transcript in the small intestine. Calcium imaging of primary L cells and the model cell line GLUTag revealed responses triggered by the TRPA1 agonists allyl-isothiocyanate (mustard oil), carvacrol, and polyunsaturated fatty acids, which were blocked by TRPA1 antagonists. Electrophysiology in GLUTag cells showed that carvacrol induced a current with characteristics typical of TRPA1 and triggered the firing of action potentials. TRPA1 activation caused an increase in GLP-1 secretion from primary murine intestinal cultures and GLUTag cells, an effect that was abolished in cultures from trpa1(-/-) mice or by pharmacological TRPA1 inhibition. These findings present TRPA1 as a novel sensory mechanism in enteroendocrine L cells, coupled to the facilitation of GLP-1 release, which may be exploitable as a target for treating diabetes.

Hydroxyethyl starch (HES 130/0.4) impairs intestinal barrier integrity and metabolic function: findings from a mouse model of the isolated perfused small intestine

BACKGROUND

The application of hydroxyethyl starch (HES) for volume resuscitation is controversially discussed and clinical studies have suggested adverse effects of HES substitution, leading to increased patient mortality. Although, the intestine is of high clinical relevance and plays a crucial role in sepsis and inflammation, information about the effects of HES on intestinal function and barrier integrity is very scarce. We therefore evaluated the effects of clinically relevant concentrations of HES on intestinal function and barrier integrity employing an isolated perfused model of the mouse small intestine.

METHODS

An isolated perfused model of the mouse small intestine was established and intestines were vascularly perfused with a modified Krebs-Henseleit buffer containing 3% Albumin (N=7) or 3% HES (130/0.4; N=7). Intestinal metabolic function (galactose uptake, lactate-to-pyruvate ratio), edema formation (wet-to-dry weight ratio), morphology (histological and electron microscopical analysis), fluid shifts within the vascular, lymphatic and luminal compartments, as well as endothelial and epithelial barrier permeability (FITC-dextran translocation) were evaluated in both groups.

RESULTS

Compared to the Albumin group, HES perfusion did not significantly change the wet-to-dry weight ratio and lactate-to-pyruvate ratio. However, perfusing the small intestine with 3% HES resulted in a significant loss of vascular fluid (p<0.01), an increased fluid accumulation in the intestinal lumen (p<0.001), an enhanced translocation of FITC-dextran from the vascular to the luminal compartment (p<0.001) and a significantly impaired intestinal galactose uptake (p<0.001). Morphologically, these findings were associated with an aggregation of intracellular vacuoles within the intestinal epithelial cells and enlarged intercellular spaces.

CONCLUSION

A vascular perfusion with 3% HES impairs the endothelial and epithelial barrier integrity as well as metabolic function of the small intestine.

Intravital two-photon imaging of the gastrointestinal tract

Live imaging of the gastrointestinal tract with two-photon microscopy (TPM) has proven to be a useful tool for mucosal immunologists. It provides deep penetration of live tissues with reduced phototoxicity and photobleaching and thus excels in deciphering dynamic immunological processes that require cell motility and last minutes through hours. The few studies that employed this technique in the gut have uncovered new aspects of mucosal immunity. They focused mainly on adaptive immunity in the small intestine and exposed the details of important interactions among several epithelial and hematopoietic cell types. TPM can be employed either on explanted tissue or intravitally, as has been practiced in our lab. Intravital TPM preserves physiological conditions more faithfully, but it is a demanding technique that requires dedicated personnel. To achieve success, the peristaltic motility of the intestine must be curbed, surgical and photonic damage must be minimized, and tissue degradation must be delayed and controlled for. Here we briefly review published studies that employed intravital TPM in the gut, describe our own technique for imaging the intestinal Peyer's patches (PPs) and villi, and present some observations we made using this technique.

Autocrine DNA fragmentation of intra-epithelial lymphocytes (IELs) in mouse small intestine

Intraepithelial lymphocytes (IELs) are present in the intestinal epithelium. Mechanisms of IELs for the protection of villi from foreign antigens and from infections by micro-organisms have not been sufficiently explained. Although more than 70% of mouse duodenal and jejunal IELs bear γδTCR (γδIELs), the functions of γδIELs are little investigated. We stimulate γδIELs by anti-CD3 monoclonal antibody (mAb) injection. The mAb activates γδIELs to release Granzyme B (GrB) into the spaces surrounding the γδIELs and intestinal villous epithelial cells (IECs). Released GrB induces DNA fragmentation in IECs independently of Perforin (Pfn). IECs immediately repair their fragmented DNA. Activated IELs reduce their cell size, remain for some time in the epithelium after the activation and are ultimately eliminated without leaving the site. We focus our attention on the response of IELs to the released GrB present in the gap surrounding IELs, after activation, in order to examine whether the released GrB has a similar effect on IELs to that observed on IECs in our previous studies. DNA fragmentation is also induced in IELs together with the repair of fragmented DNA thereafter. The time-kinetics of both events were found to be identical to those observed in IECs. DNA fragmentation in IELs is Pfn-independent. Here, we present Pfn-independent "autocrine DNA fragmentation" in IELs and the repair of fragmented DNA in IELs and discuss their biological significance. Autocrine DNA fragmentation has never been reported to date in vivo.

Distinct human stem cell populations in small and large intestine

The intestine is composed of an epithelial layer containing rapidly proliferating cells that mature into two regions, the small and the large intestine. Although previous studies have identified stem cells as the cell-of-origin for intestinal epithelial cells, no studies have directly compared stem cells derived from these anatomically distinct regions. Here, we examine intrinsic differences between primary epithelial cells isolated from human fetal small and large intestine, after in vitro expansion, using the Wnt agonist R-spondin 2. We utilized flow cytometry, fluorescence-activated cell sorting, gene expression analysis and a three-dimensional in vitro differentiation assay to characterize their stem cell properties. We identified stem cell markers that separate subpopulations of colony-forming cells in the small and large intestine and revealed important differences in differentiation, proliferation and disease pathways using gene expression analysis. Single cells from small and large intestine cultures formed organoids that reflect the distinct cellular hierarchy found in vivo and respond differently to identical exogenous cues. Our characterization identified numerous differences between small and large intestine epithelial stem cells suggesting possible connections to intestinal disease.

Free fatty acid receptor GPR120 is highly expressed in enteroendocrine K cells of the upper small intestine and has a critical role in GIP secretion after fat ingestion

Gastric inhibitory polypeptide (GIP) is an incretin secreted from enteroendocrine K cells in response to meal ingestion. Recently free fatty acid receptor G protein-coupled receptor (GPR) 120 was identified as a lipid sensor involved in glucagon-like peptide-1 secretion. However, Gpr 120 gene expression and its role in K cells remain unclear, partly due to difficulties in separation of K cells from other intestinal epithelial cells. In this study, we purified K cells using GIP-green fluorescent protein (GFP) knock-in mice, in which K cells can be visualized by GFP fluorescence. GFP-positive cells (K cells) were observed in the small intestine but not in the stomach and colon. K cell number and GIP content in K cells were significantly higher in the upper small intestine than those in the lower small intestine. We also examined the expression levels of several free fatty acid receptors in K cells. Among free fatty acid receptors, GPR120 was highly expressed in the K cells of the upper small intestine compared with the lower small intestine. To clarify the role of GPR120 on K cells in vivo, we used GPR120-deficient mice (GPR120(-/-)). GPR120(-/-) exhibited significantly lower GIP secretion (75% reduction, P < .01) after lard oil ingestion compared with that in wild-type mice. Consistently, pharmacological inhibition of GPR120 with grifolic acid methyl ether in wild-type mice significantly attenuated lard oil-induced GIP secretion. In conclusion, GPR120 is expressed abundantly in K cells of the upper small intestine and plays a critical role in lipid-induced GIP secretion.

Beta-7 integrin controls enterocyte migration in the small intestine

AIM: To hypothesize that beta-7 integrin affects cellular migration of both, lymphocytes and enterocytes.

METHODS: The nucleoside analog BrdU was ip injected in beta-7-deficient mice (C57BL/6-Itgb^tmlcgn/J) of male gender and age-matched male C57BL/J J mice (wild type) 4, 20, or 40 h before analysis. The total small intestine was isolated, dissected, and used for morphometrical studies. BrdU-positive epithelial cells were numbered in at least 15 hemi-crypts per duodenum, jejunum, and ileum of each animal. The outer most BrdU-positive cell (cell^max) was determined per hemi-crypt, numerically documented, and statistically analysed.

RESULTS: Integrins containing the beta-7-chain were exclusively expressed on leukocytes. In the small intestinal mucosa of beta-7 integrin-deficient mice the number of intraepithelial lymphocytes was drastically decreased. Moreover, the Peyer’s patches of beta-7 integrin-deficient mice appeared hypoplastic. In beta-7 integrin-deficient mice the location of cell^max was found in a higher position than it was the case for the controls. The difference was already detected at 4 h after BrdU application, but significantly increased with time (40 h after BrdU injection) in all small intestinal segments investigated, i.e., duodenum, jejunum, and ileum. Migration of small intestinal enterocytes was different between the experimental groups measured by cell^max locations.

CONCLUSION: The E-cadherin beta-7 integrin pathway probably controls migration of enterocytes within the small intestinal surface lining epithelial layer.

The effect of small intestine heterogeneity on irreversible electroporation treatment planning

Nonthermal irreversible electroporation (NTIRE) is an ablation modality that utilizes microsecond electric fields to produce nanoscale defects in the cell membrane. This results in selective cell death while preserving all other molecules, including the extracellular matrix. Here, finite element analysis and experimental results are utilized to examine the effect of NTIRE on the small intestine due to concern over collateral damage to this organ during NTIRE treatment of abdominal cancers. During previous studies, the electrical treatment parameters were chosen based on a simplified homogeneous tissue model. The small intestine, however, has very distinct layers, and a more realistic model is needed to further develop this technology for precise clinical applications. This study uses a two-dimensional finite element solution of the Laplace and heat conduction equations to investigate how small intestine heterogeneities affect the electric field and temperature distribution. Experimental results obtained by applying NTIRE to the rat small intestine in vivo support the heterogeneous effect of NTIRE on the tissue. The numerical modeling indicates that the electroporation parameters chosen for this study avoid thermal damage to the tissue. This is supported by histology obtained from the in vivo study, which showed preservation of extracellular structures. The finite element model also indicates that the heterogeneous structure of the small intestine has a significant effect on the electric field and volume of cell ablation during electroporation and could have a large impact on the extent of treatment. The heterogeneous nature of the tissue should be accounted for in clinical treatment planning.

Biocompatibility of porcine small intestinal submucosa and rat endothelial progenitor cells in vitro

OBJECTIVE

This study investigated the biocompatibility of the small intestinal submucosa (SIS) and endothelial progenitor cells (EPCs) by co-cultivating EPCs and SIS in vitro and observing EPC growth on the SIS.

METHODS

The porcine SIS was prepared and bone marrow mononuclear cells (BMMNCs) were isolated from 3 or 4-week old male SD rats. Cellular morphology was observed by light microscopy and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and viabilities by the MTT assays. Endothelial progenitor cells (EPCs) were phenotyped by immunocytochemistry, immunofluorescence microscopy and flow cytometry. Vascular lumen formation was evaluated by the Matrigel tube formation assays. EPCs were seeded onto the SIS and production of angiogenin-1 and endothelial cell growth factor (VEGF) by EPCs was examined by ELISA and immunoblotting assays.

RESULTS

Light microscopy and SEM showed that the mechanically and chemically treated small intestinal submucosa was composed of cell-free extracellular matrix. Immunohistochemistry, and flow cytometry revealed that the EPCs expressed appropriate surface markers including CD34, CD133, and VEGFR-2. Furthermore, the EPCs formed lumen-like structures and the SIS significantly enhanced the growth of EPCs in vitro.

CONCLUSION

SIS has good biocompatibility with EPCs. SIS pre-seeded with EPCs can be potentially applied as an alternative scaffold material in artificial blood vessel prosthesis.

[Observation of the Feline Intestinal Epithelial Cell Infected with Toxoplasma gondii]

Small intestine samples of neonatal cat were aseptically collected from the jejunum-ileum region and digested with collagenase XI/dispase I. Immunohistochemistry results showed that feline intestinal epithelial cells were successfully isolated and could be cultured. Cytokeratin was positive in the cytoplasm of feline intestinal epithelial cells. The cells were infected with the bradyzoites of Toxoplasma gondii Prugniaud strain, and the rupture of the cells was observed on the 72nd day post-infection. The sexual stage of T. gondii did not occur, however.

Neuroepithelial circuit formed by innervation of sensory enteroendocrine cells

Satiety and other core physiological functions are modulated by sensory signals arising from the surface of the gut. Luminal nutrients and bacteria stimulate epithelial biosensors called enteroendocrine cells. Despite being electrically excitable, enteroendocrine cells are generally thought to communicate indirectly with nerves through hormone secretion and not through direct cell-nerve contact. However, we recently uncovered in intestinal enteroendocrine cells a cytoplasmic process that we named neuropod. Here, we determined that neuropods provide a direct connection between enteroendocrine cells and neurons innervating the small intestine and colon. Using cell-specific transgenic mice to study neural circuits, we found that enteroendocrine cells have the necessary elements for neurotransmission, including expression of genes that encode pre-, post-, and transsynaptic proteins. This neuroepithelial circuit was reconstituted in vitro by coculturing single enteroendocrine cells with sensory neurons. We used a monosynaptic rabies virus to define the circuit's functional connectivity in vivo and determined that delivery of this neurotropic virus into the colon lumen resulted in the infection of mucosal nerves through enteroendocrine cells. This neuroepithelial circuit can serve as both a sensory conduit for food and gut microbes to interact with the nervous system and a portal for viruses to enter the enteric and central nervous systems.

The other face of ROS: a driver of stem cell expansion in colorectal cancer

APC mutations causing Wnt activation are commonly found in colorectal cancer, but downstream pathways that facilitate tumorigenesis are unclear. In this issue of Cell Stem Cell, Myant et al. (2013) show that Rac1 activation is required for Wnt-driven Lgr5+ intestinal stem cell transformation through ROS production and NF-kB activation.

Plasma citrulline level as a biomarker for cancer therapy-induced small bowel mucosal damage

Regimen-related mucosal toxicity is extremely common following cytotoxic chemotherapy and radiotherapy. Mucositis is as an important determinant of the inflammatory response and infectious complications in cancer treated patients. Most assessment scales for mucosal damage are focussed on oral mucositis, since it is easy to evaluate. Measuring gastrointestinal musocal damage objectively remains difficult because it cannot be seen directly or readily detected. One of potential non-invasive biomarkers of gastrointestinal mucosal damage is plasma citrulline level. Citrulline is an amino acid produced by small bowel enterocytes. Low concentration of free circulating citrulline signifies severe intestinal mucosal damage in humans with nonmalignant disorders, such as villous atrophy-associated diseases, short bowel syndrome, Crohn's disease, and is used in follow-up after small bowel transplantation. The plasma citrulline level is a reliable and objective biochemical marker of enterocyte mass and function in humans, and therefore can be used to monitor enterocyte toxicity resulting from chemotherapy and radiotherapy during anticancer therapy in patients with severely disturbed gut integrity.

Glucose significantly enhances enterotoxigenic Escherichia coli adherence to intestinal epithelial cells through its effects on heat-labile enterotoxin production

The present study tested whether exposure of enterotoxigenic Escherichia coli (ETEC) to glucose at different concentrations in the media results in increased bacterial adherence to host cells through increased heat-labile enterotoxin (LT) production, thereby suggesting the effects are physiological. Porcine-origin ETEC strains grown in Casamino acid yeast extract medium containing different concentrations of glucose were washed and inoculated onto IPEC-J2 porcine intestinal epithelial cells to test for effects on adherence and host cell cAMP concentrations. Consistent with previous studies, all LT⁺ strains had higher ETEC adherence to IPEC-J2 cells than did LT⁻ strains. Adherence of the LT⁻ but not the LT⁺ strains was increased by pre-incubating the IPEC-J2 cells with LT and decreased by co-incubation with GM1 ganglioside in a dose-dependent manner (P<0.05). To determine whether the glucose concentration of the cell culture media has an effect on adherence, IPEC-J2 cells were inoculated with LT⁺ or LT⁻ strains in cell culture media containing a final glucose concentration of 0, 0.25, 0.5, 1.0 or 2.0%, and incubated for 4 h. Only media containing 0.25% glucose resulted in increased adherence and cAMP levels, and this was limited to IPEC-J2 cells inoculated with LT⁺ strains. This study supports the hypothesis that glucose, at a concentration optimal for LT expression, enhances bacterial adherence through the promotion of LT production. Hence, these results establish the physiological relevance of the effects of glucose on LT production and provide a basis for how glucose intake may influence the severity of ETEC infection.

Human colostrum oligosaccharides modulate major immunologic pathways of immature human intestine

The immature neonatal intestinal immune system hyperreacts to newly colonizing unfamiliar bacteria. The hypothesis that human milk oligosaccharides from colostrum (cHMOSs) can directly modulate the signaling pathways of the immature mucosa was tested. Modulation of cytokine immune signaling by HMOSs was measured ex vivo in intact immature (fetal) human intestinal mucosa. From the genes whose transcription was modulated by cHMOSs, Ingenuity Pathway Analysis identified networks controlling immune cell communication, intestinal mucosal immune system differentiation, and homeostasis. cHMOSs attenuate pathogen-associated molecular pattern-stimulated acute phase inflammatory cytokine protein levels (interleukin-8 (IL-8), IL-6, monocyte chemoattractant protein-1/2 and IL-1β), while elevating cytokines involved in tissue repair and homeostasis. In all, 3'-, 4-, and 6'-galactosyllactoses of cHMOSs account for specific immunomodulation of polyinosinic:polycytodylic acid-induced IL-8 levels. cHMOSs attenuate mucosal responses to surface inflammatory stimuli during early development, while enhancing signals that support maturation of the intestinal mucosal immune system.

Type I collagen as an extracellular matrix for the in vitro growth of human small intestinal epithelium

Background

We previously reported in vitro maintenance and proliferation of human small intestinal epithelium using Matrigel, a proprietary basement membrane product. There are concerns over the applicability of Matrigel-based methods for future human therapies. We investigated type I collagen as an alternative for the culture of human intestinal epithelial cells.

Methods

Human small intestine was procured from fresh surgical pathology specimens. Small intestinal crypts were isolated using EDTA chelation. Intestinal subepithelial myofibroblasts were isolated from a pediatric sample and expanded in vitro. After suspension in Matrigel or type I collagen gel, crypts were co-cultured above a confluent layer of myofibroblasts. Crypts were also grown in monoculture with exposure to myofibroblast conditioned media; these were subsequently sub-cultured in vitro and expanded with a 1∶2 split ratio. Cultures were assessed with light microscopy, RT-PCR, histology, and immunohistochemistry.

Results

Collagen supported viable human epithelium in vitro for at least one month in primary culture. Sub-cultured epithelium expanded through 12 passages over 60 days. Histologic sections revealed polarized columnar cells, with apical brush borders and basolaterally located nuclei. Collagen-based cultures gave rise to monolayer epithelial sheets at the gel-liquid interface, which were not observed with Matrigel. Immunohistochemical staining identified markers of differentiated intestinal epithelium and myofibroblasts. RT-PCR demonstrated expression of α-smooth muscle actin and vimentin in myofibroblasts and E-Cadherin, CDX2, villin 1, intestinal alkaline phosphatase, chromogranin A, lysozyme, and Lgr5 in epithelial cells. These markers were maintained through several passages.

Conclusion

Type I collagen gel supports long-term in vitro maintenance and expansion of fully elaborated human intestinal epithelium. Collagen-based methods yield familiar enteroid structures as well as a new pattern of sheet-like growth, and they eliminate the need for Matrigel for in vitro human intestinal epithelial growth. Future research is required to further develop this cell culture system for tissue engineering applications.

Raman spectroscopic evidence of tissue restructuring in heat-induced tissue fusion

Heat-induced tissue fusion via radio-frequency (RF) energy has gained wide acceptance clinically and here we present the first optical-Raman-spectroscopy study on tissue fusion samples in vitro. This study provides direct insights into tissue constituent and structural changes on the molecular level, exposing spectroscopic evidence for the loss of distinct collagen fibre rich tissue layers as well as the denaturing and restructuring of collagen crosslinks post RF fusion. These findings open the door for more advanced optical feedback-control methods and characterization during heat-induced tissue fusion, which will lead to new clinical applications of this promising technology.

Differential association of the Na+/H+ Exchanger Regulatory Factor (NHERF) family of adaptor proteins with the raft- and the non-raft brush border membrane fractions of NHE3

BACKGROUND/AIMS

Trafficking, brush border membrane (BBM) retention, and signal-specific regulation of the Na+/H+ exchanger NHE3 is regulated by the Na+/H+ Exchanger Regulatory Factor (NHERF) family of PDZ-adaptor proteins, which enable the formation of multiprotein complexes. It is unclear, however, what determines signal specificity of these NHERFs. Thus, we studied the association of NHE3, NHERF1 (EBP50), NHERF2 (E3KARP), and NHERF3 (PDZK1) with lipid rafts in murine small intestinal BBM.

METHODS

Detergent resistant membranes ("lipid rafts") were isolated by floatation of Triton X-incubated small intestinal BBM from a variety of knockout mouse strains in an Optiprep step gradient. Acid-activated NHE3 activity was measured fluorometrically in BCECF-loaded microdissected villi, or by assessment of CO2/HCO3(-) mediated increase in fluid absorption in perfused jejunal loops of anethetized mice.

RESULTS

NHE3 was found to partially associate with lipid rafts in the native BBM, and NHE3 raft association had an impact on NHE3 transport activity and regulation in vivo. NHERF1, 2 and 3 were differentially distributed to rafts and non-rafts, with NHERF2 being most raft-associated and NHERF3 entirely non-raft associated. NHERF2 expression enhanced the localization of NHE3 to membrane rafts. The use of acid sphingomyelinase-deficient mice, which have altered membrane lipid as well as lipid raft composition, allowed us to test the validity of the lipid raft concept in vivo.

CONCLUSIONS

The differential association of the NHERFs with the raft-associated and the non-raft fraction of NHE3 in the brush border membrane is one component of the differential and signal-specific NHE3 regulation by the different NHERFs.

The protective role of symmetric stem cell division on the accumulation of heritable damage

Stem cell divisions are either asymmetric—in which one daughter cell remains a stem cell and one does not—or symmetric, in which both daughter cells adopt the same fate, either stem or non-stem. Recent studies show that in many tissues operating under homeostatic conditions stem cell division patterns are strongly biased toward the symmetric outcome, raising the question of whether symmetry confers some benefit. Here, we show that symmetry, via extinction of damaged stem-cell clones, reduces the lifetime risk of accumulating phenotypically silent heritable damage (mutations or aberrant epigenetic changes) in individual stem cells. This effect is greatest in rapidly cycling tissues subject to accelerating rates of damage accumulation over time, a scenario that describes the progression of many cancers. A decrease in the rate of cellular damage accumulation may be an important factor favoring symmetric patterns of stem cell division.

Recently, highly symmetric patterns of stem cell division have been observed in a variety of adult mammalian somatic tissues. Here we identify conditions under which this behavior serves as a strategy to protect the organism against mutation accumulation. First, we find that a sufficient number of lifetime stem cell divisions must occur, potentially explaining why stem cell pools with the most symmetric divisions are rapidly cycling. Second, we find that late-occurring mutations must occur rapidly, a scenario known in cancer biology as genetic instability. These findings provide a potential explanation for the observation that cancer risks among large, long-lived organisms fail to rise as expected with lifespan and body size.

Effects of San-Huang-Xie-Xin-tang, a traditional Chinese prescription for clearing away heat and toxin, on the pacemaker activities of interstitial cells of Cajal from the murine small intestine

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE

San-Huang-Xie-Xin-Tang (SHXXT) is a traditional Chinese medicinal formula composed of Coptidis rhizoma (Coptis chinesis Franch), Scutellariae radix (Scutellaria baicalensis Georgi), and Rhei rhizoma (Rheum officinale Baill) and is widely used in Eastern Asia, especially to ameliorate the symptoms of gastrointestinal (GI) disorders related to gastritis, gastric bleeding, peptic ulcers, and abnormal GI motility

AIM OF THE STUDY

Interstitial cells of Cajal (ICCs) are pacemaker cells in the GI tract that generate rhythmic oscillations in membrane potentials known as slow waves. Because GI disorders, especially abnormal GI motility, are major lifelong problems, the authors investigated the effects of SHXXT on mouse small intestine ICCs, and sought to identify the receptors and the action mechanisms involved.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Enzymatic digestions were used to dissociate ICCs from small intestines, and the whole-cell patch-clamp configuration was used to record potentials generated by cultured ICCs.

RESULTS

SHXXT produced membrane depolarization in current-clamp mode, and Y25130 (a 5-HT3 receptor antagonist) and RS39604 (a 5-HT4 receptor antagonist) blocked SHXXT-induced membrane depolarizations, whereas SB269970 (a 5-HT7 receptor antagonist) did not. However, during external Ca2+ free conditions or in the presence of thapsigargin, SHXXT did not exhibit membrane depolarization. Furthermore, the application of flufenamic acid (a nonselective cation channel (NSCC) blocker) or DIDS (a chloride channel blocker) abolished pacemaker potential generation and blocked SHXXT-induced membrane depolarizations. In addition, SHXXT-induced membrane depolarizations, which are dependent on G-protein, in ICCs were blocked by PD 98059 (a p42/44 mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) inhibitor), SB203580 (a p38 MAPK inhibitor), and by a c-jun NH2-terminal kinase (JNK) II inhibitor. Regarding the components of SHXXT, Coptidis rhizome and Rhei rhizoma modulated ICC pacemaking activity, whereas Scutellariae radix did not.

CONCLUSION

SHXXT modulates pacemaker potentials via 5-HT3 and 5-HT4 receptor-mediated pathways, external Ca2+ influx, and Ca2+ release from internal stores. Furthermore, NSCCs and Cl- channels play important roles in the regulation of pacemaking activity in a MAPK dependent manner in ICCs. The regulation of pacemaking activity by SHXXT may be due to the activity of Coptidis rhizome and Rhei rhizome. The study shows SHXXT can modulate the pacemaking activity of ICCs in the GI tract, and thus, suggests SHXXT has potential pharmacological relevance for the treatment of GI motility disorders.

Pork Peptone Stimulates Cholecystokinin Secretion from Enteroendocrine Cells and Suppresses Appetite in Rats

We found that soybean beta-conglycinin peptone (BconP) suppresses food intake through cholecystokinin (CCK) release from enteroendocrine cells in association with binding of the peptone to rat small intestinal brush border membrane (BBM). The aim of the present study was to find new appetite suppressing peptides. Peptones from chicken, pork, beef, beef liver, and egg white were examined for activities to bind with rat BBM, CCK-release from enteroendocrine cell line STC-1, and induce satiety in rats. Chicken and pork peptone (ChickP and PorkP) bound to BBM with highest ability as evaluated with a surface plasmon biosensor. PorkP and ChickP released CCK in higher amounts than BconP from STC-1 cells dose-dependently, with highest stimulation by PorkP. An orogastric preload of PorkP, but not ChickP, suppressed food intake similarly to BconP, dose-dependently. These results suggest that PorkP interacts directly with the small intestinal CCK cells to release CCK, and that it suppresses appetite in rats.

[Establishment of spectrum-effect relationship network model of qizhiweitong granules promoting gastrointestinal motility]

OBJECTIVE

To establish the spectrum-effect relationship network model of Qizhiweitong granules promoting gastrointestinal motility for providing scientific basis for its quality control and efficacy evaluation.

METHODS

The Latin hypercube sampling was used to establish full-time multi-wavelength fusion fingerprints of different compatibility groups of Qizhiweitong granules. At the same time, the appreciation rate, the contents of cGMP and NO in small intestine smooth muscle cells after administrated drugs were determined. Then the spectrum-effect relationship of different compatibility groups were correlated, and the network model was established with gray correlation method and BP neural network.

RESULTS

20 compounds with correlation index more than 0.9 were found from 36 constituents in Qizhiweitong granules. The spectrum-effect relationship network model of Qizhiweitong granules promoting gastrointestinal motility was successfully established. And through this model to forecast the result of the test, the absolute value of the relative error was less than 6.83%.

CONCLUSION

In this study, a spectrum-effect relationship network model of Qizhiweitong granules promoting gastrointestinal motility is established successfully, which provides a new method for its reasonable quality control and efficacy evaluation, lays the experiment basis for component-effect study, and provides reference for other TCM's study.

Transport of particles in intestinal mucus under simulated infant and adult physiological conditions: impact of mucus structure and extracellular DNA

The final boundary between digested food and the cells that take up nutrients in the small intestine is a protective layer of mucus. In this work, the microstructural organization and permeability of the intestinal mucus have been determined under conditions simulating those of infant and adult human small intestines. As a model, we used the mucus from the proximal (jejunal) small intestines of piglets and adult pigs. Confocal microscopy of both unfixed and fixed mucosal tissue showed mucus lining the entire jejunal epithelium. The mucus contained DNA from shed epithelial cells at different stages of degradation, with higher amounts of DNA found in the adult pig. The pig mucus comprised a coherent network of mucin and DNA with higher viscosity than the more heterogeneous piglet mucus, which resulted in increased permeability of the latter to 500-nm and 1-µm latex beads. Multiple-particle tracking experiments revealed that diffusion of the probe particles was considerably enhanced after treating mucus with DNase. The fraction of diffusive 500-nm probe particles increased in the pig mucus from 0.6% to 64% and in the piglet mucus from ca. 30% to 77% after the treatment. This suggests that extracellular DNA can significantly contribute to the microrheology and barrier properties of the intestinal mucus layer. To our knowledge, this is the first time that the structure and permeability of the small intestinal mucus have been compared between different age groups and the contribution of extracellular DNA highlighted. The results help to define rules governing colloidal transport in the developing small intestine. These are required for engineering orally administered pharmaceutical preparations with improved delivery, as well as for fabricating novel foods with enhanced nutritional quality or for controlled calorie uptake.

Enteroendocrine cells are specifically marked by cell surface expression of claudin-4 in mouse small intestine

Enteroendocrine cells are solitary epithelial cells scattered throughout the gastrointestinal tract and produce various types of hormones, constituting one of the largest endocrine systems in the body. The study of these rare epithelial cells has been hampered by the difficulty in isolating them because of the lack of specific cell surface markers. Here, we report that enteroendocrine cells selectively express a tight junction membrane protein, claudin-4 (Cld4), and are efficiently isolated with the use of an antibody specific for the Cld4 extracellular domain and flow cytometry. Sorted Cld4⁺ epithelial cells in the small intestine exclusively expressed a chromogranin A gene (Chga) and other enteroendocrine cell–related genes (Ffar1, Ffar4, Gpr119), and the population was divided into two subpopulations based on the activity of binding to Ulex europaeus agglutinin-1 (UEA-1). A Cld4⁺UEA-1⁻ cell population almost exclusively expressed glucose-dependent insulinotropic polypeptide gene (Gip), thus representing K cells, whereas a Cld4⁺UEA-1⁺ cell population expressed other gut hormone genes, including glucagon-like peptide 1 (Gcg), pancreatic polypeptide–like peptide with N-terminal tyrosine amide (Pyy), cholecystokinin (Cck), secretin (Sct), and tryptophan hydroxylase 1 (Tph1). In addition, we found that orally administered luminal antigens were taken up by the solitary Cld4⁺ cells in the small intestinal villi, raising the possibility that enteroendocrine cells might also play a role in initiation of mucosal immunity. Our results provide a useful tool for the cellular and functional characterization of enteroendocrine cells.

Intestinal epithelial cells: regulators of barrier function and immune homeostasis

The abundance of innate and adaptive immune cells that reside together with trillions of beneficial commensal microorganisms in the mammalian gastrointestinal tract requires barrier and regulatory mechanisms that conserve host-microbial interactions and tissue homeostasis. This homeostasis depends on the diverse functions of intestinal epithelial cells (IECs), which include the physical segregation of commensal bacteria and the integration of microbial signals. Hence, IECs are crucial mediators of intestinal homeostasis that enable the establishment of an immunological environment permissive to colonization by commensal bacteria. In this Review, we provide a comprehensive overview of how IECs maintain host-commensal microbial relationships and immune cell homeostasis in the intestine.

[Study on detoxication of euphorbia pekinensis radix processed with vinegar on rat small intestinal crypt epithelial cells IEC-6]

OBJECTIVE

To compare the difference of Euphorbia Pekinensis Radix before and after being processed with vinegar in the toxicity on rat small intestinal crypt epithelial cells IEC-6, and make a preliminary study on the mechanism of detoxication of Euphorbia Pekinensis Radix processed with vinegar.

METHOD

With rat small intestinal crypt epithelial cells IEC-6 as the study object, the MTT method was adopted to detect the effect of Euphorbia Pekinensis Radix before and after being processed with vinegar on IEC-6 cell activity. The morphology of cells were observed by the inverted microscope. The down-regulated mitochondrial apoptosis pathway of enterocytes caused by the vinegar processing was analyzed by using the high content screening.

RESULT

Compared with the negative control group, the proliferation inhibition experiment showed that Euphorbia Pekinensis Radix showed a relatively high intestinal cell toxicity (P < 0.01). The results of HCS analysis showed that Euphorbia Pekinensis Radix could significantly reduce the cell nucleus Hoechst fluorescence intensity and mitochondria membrane (P < 0.05, P < 0.01), and increase Annexin V-FITC and PI fluorescence intensity and membrane permeability (P < 0.01, P < 0.01, P < 0.01). After being processed with vinegar, compared with Euphorbia Pekinensis Radix groups with different doses, Euphorbia Pekinensis Radix processed with vinegar could significantly decrease the cell proliferation inhibition effect on enterocytes, increase the cell nuclear Hoechst fluorescence intensity and mitochondria membrane (P < 0.05, P < 0.05), and decrease Annexin V-FITC and PI fluorescence intensity and membrane permeability (P < 0.01, P < 0.01, P < 0.05), and showed a certain dose-effect relationship.

CONCLUSION

The vinegar processing can further reduce the toxicity of Euphorbia Pekinensis Radix on enterocytes. Its possible mechanism can decrease the effect of Euphorbia Pekinensis Radix on the permeability of IEC-6 cell membrane, so as to provide a basis for further explanation of the detoxication mechanism of Euphorbia Pekinensis Radix processed with vinegar.

A novel in vitro survival assay of small intestinal stem cells after exposure to ionizing radiation

The microcolony assay developed by Withers and Elkind has been a gold standard to assess the surviving fraction of small intestinal stem cells after exposure to high (≥8 Gy) doses of ionizing radiation (IR), but is not applicable in cases of exposure to lower doses. Here, we developed a novel in vitro assay that enables assessment of the surviving fraction of small intestinal stem cells after exposure to lower IR doses. The assay includes in vitro culture of small intestinal stem cells, which allows the stem cells to develop into epithelial organoids containing all four differentiated cell types of the small intestine. We used Lgr5-EGFP-IRES-CreERT2/ROSA26-tdTomato mice to identify Lgr5(+) stem cells and their progeny. Enzymatically dissociated single crypt cells from the duodenum and jejunum of mice were irradiated with 7.25, 29, 101, 304, 1000, 2000 and 4000 mGy of X-rays immediately after plating, and the number of organoids was counted on Day 12. Organoid-forming efficiency of irradiated cells relative to that of unirradiated controls was defined as the surviving fraction of stem cells. We observed a significant decrease in the surviving fraction of stem cells at ≥1000 mGy. Moreover, fluorescence-activated cell sorting analyses and passage of the organoids revealed that proliferation of stem cells surviving IR is significantly potentiated. Together, the present study demonstrates that the in vitro assay is useful for quantitatively assessing the surviving fraction of small intestinal stem cells after exposure to lower doses of IR as compared with previous examinations using the microcolony assay.

Generation of L cells in mouse and human small intestine organoids

Upon a nutrient challenge, L cells produce glucagon-like peptide 1 (GLP-1), a powerful stimulant of insulin release. Strategies to augment endogenous GLP-1 production include promoting L-cell differentiation and increasing L-cell number. Here we present a novel in vitro platform to generate functional L cells from three-dimensional cultures of mouse and human intestinal crypts. We show that short-chain fatty acids selectively increase the number of L cells, resulting in an elevation of GLP-1 release. This is accompanied by the upregulation of transcription factors associated with the endocrine lineage of intestinal stem cell development. Thus, our platform allows us to study and modulate the development of L cells in mouse and human crypts as a potential basis for novel therapeutic strategies in patients with type 2 diabetes.

Three-dimensional reconstruction of murine Peyer's patches from immunostained cryosections

Peyer's patches, macroscopic aggregates of lymphoid follicles present throughout the small intestines of humans and other mammals, are considered the gateway through which luminal dietary antigens and microbes are sampled by the mucosal immune system. The cellular make-up of Peyer's patch lymphoid follicles is not only complex, but highly dynamic, as there are at least four major cell types that are known to migrate in response to antigenic stimulation. In an effort to capture the complexity and dynamic nature of this specialized tissue, here we report the three-dimensional (3D) reconstruction of immunofluorescent-labeled mouse Peyer's patch cryosections. The technology that enabled the stacking and linear blending of serial cryosections was a novel macro for Fiji, the open source image-processing package based on ImageJ. By simultaneously labeling cryosections for surface markers CD45R, CD3, and CD11c, we provide a 3D image as well as quantitative measures of B-cell, T-cell, and dendritic cell populations at steady state and following exposure to the mucosal adjuvant cholera toxin.

Protective effect of wheat peptides against indomethacin-induced oxidative stress in IEC-6 cells

Recent studies have demonstrated that wheat peptides protected rats against non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs-induced small intestinal epithelial cells damage, but the mechanism of action is unclear. In the present study, an indomethacin-induced oxidative stress model was used to investigate the effect of wheat peptides on the nuclear factor-κB(NF-κB)-inducible nitric oxide synthase-nitric oxide signal pathway in intestinal epithelial cells-6 cells. IEC-6 cells were treated with wheat peptides (0, 125, 500 and 2000 mg/L) for 24 h, followed by 90 mg/L indomethacin for 12 h. Wheat peptides significantly attenuated the indomethacin-induced decrease in superoxide dismutase and glutathione peroxidase activity. Wheat peptides at 2000 mg/L markedly decreased the expression of the NF-κB in response to indomethacin-induced oxidative stress. This study demonstrated that the addition of wheat peptides to a culture medium significantly inhibited the indomethacin-induced release of malondialdehyde and nitrogen monoxide, and increased antioxidant enzyme activity in IEC-6 cells, thereby providing a possible explanation for the protective effect proposed for wheat peptides in the prevention of indomethacin-induced oxidative stress in small intestinal epithelial cells.

The uptake of soluble and particulate antigens by epithelial cells in the mouse small intestine

Intestinal epithelial cells (IECs) overlying the villi play a prominent role in absorption of digested nutrients and establish a barrier that separates the internal milieu from potentially harmful microbial antigens. Several mechanisms by which antigens of dietary and microbial origin enter the body have been identified; however whether IECs play a role in antigen uptake is not known. Using in vivo imaging of the mouse small intestine, we investigated whether epithelial cells (enterocytes) play an active role in the uptake (sampling) of lumen antigens. We found that small molecular weight antigens such as chicken ovalbumin, dextran, and bacterial LPS enter the lamina propria, the loose connective tissue which lies beneath the epithelium via goblet cell associated passageways. However, epithelial cells overlying the villi can internalize particulate antigens such as bacterial cell debris and inert nanoparticles (NPs), which are then found co-localizing with the CD11c+ dendritic cells in the lamina propria. The extent of NP uptake by IECs depends on their size: 20–40 nm NPs are taken up readily, while NPs larger than 100 nm are taken up mainly by the epithelial cells overlying Peyer's patches. Blocking NPs with small proteins or conjugating them with ovalbumin does not inhibit their uptake. However, the uptake of 40 nm NPs can be inhibited when they are administered with an endocytosis inhibitor (chlorpromazine). Delineating the mechanisms of antigen uptake in the gut is essential for understanding how tolerance and immunity to lumen antigens are generated, and for the development of mucosal vaccines and therapies.

A co-culture model of the developing small intestine offers new insight in the early immunomodulation of enterocytes and macrophages by Lactobacillus spp. through STAT1 and NF-kB p65 translocation

The early establishment of a complete microbiome has been shown to play an integral part in the development and maintenance of an intact intestine and its immune system, although much remains unknown about the specific mechanisms of immune modulation in newborns. In our study we show in a co-culture model of the undeveloped small intestine that members of Lactobacillus spp. influence STAT1 and NF-kB p65 nuclear translocation in both intestinal epithelial cells as well as underlying macrophages. Moreover, by using imaging flow cytometry we were able to monitor each individual cell and create a framework of the percentage of cells in which translocation occurred in challenged versus control cell populations. We also observed a significant difference in baseline translocation in intestinal cells when cultured alone versus those in a co-culture model, underpinning the importance of 3D models over monolayer set-ups in epithelial in vitro research. In conclusion, our work offers new insights into the potential routes by which the commensal microbiome primes the early immune system to fight pathogens, and shows how strain-specific these mechanisms really are.

Enteral leptin administration affects intestinal autophagy in suckling piglets

Leptin has been shown to play an integral role in the endocrine regulation of metabolism. Moreover, a substantial amount of this peptide has been found in colostrum and milk. The aim of the study was to investigate the effects of exogenous leptin, administered intragastrically, on the process of autophagy and the changes in cell hyperplasia and hypertrophy in the small intestine mucosa. Three groups (n = 6) of neonatal piglets were used in the study. The pigs were fed either by their sows (sow-reared piglets) or with only milk formula, or with milk formula together with leptin administered via a stomach tube (10 μg/kg BW) every 8 h for 6 d. We have shown that pure milk formula feeding significantly elevates (P < 0.05) autophagy compared with that observed in sow-reared piglets. Compared with the control group, feeding milk formula supplemented with leptin resulted in a significant decrease (P < 0.05) in immunodetection of microtubule-associated protein 1 light chain 3, as well as significantly accelerated epithelial cell renewal (P < 0.05). We demonstrated that autophagy is involved in the remodeling of the small intestine mucosa and that leptin, when administered enterally, may be an important factor for its regulation.

Isolation of T cells from the gut

The lymphocytes of epithelial and lamina proprial compartments of the intestine are phenotypically and functionally distinct and serve a wide range of functions in the intestinal mucosa like regulating intestinal homeostasis, maintaining epithelial barrier function as well as regulating adaptive and innate immune responses. To analyze the role of these cells in different disease states, it is necessary to isolate pure cell populations of the intraepithelial lymphocytes (IEL) and lamina propria lymphocytes (LPL) of the gut. In this protocol we describe a method to isolate T cells from IEL and LPL, which can be used for further investigations like comparative studies of mRNA expression, cell proliferation assay, or protein analysis.

Determination using synchrotron radiation-based Fourier transform infrared microspectroscopy of putative stem cells in human adenocarcinoma of the intestine: corresponding benign tissue as a template

The epithelial-cell layer lining the two morphologically and functionally distinct segments of the mammalian intestinal tract, small intestine, and colon is constantly being renewed. This renewal is necessitated by a harsh lumen environment and is hypothesized to be driven by a small population of stem cells (SCs) that are believed to reside at the base of intestinal crypts. A lack of specific markers has hampered previous attempts to identify their exact location. We obtained tissue sections containing small intestine and colon crypts derived from normal (benign) or adenocarcinoma (AC) human intestine. The samples were floated onto BaF2 windows and analyzed using synchrotron radiation-based Fourier transform infrared microspectroscopy via an aperture size of 10 × 10 μm. Derived infrared (IR) spectral data was then analyzed using principal component analysis and/or linear discriminant analysis. Hypothesized cell types (as a function of aperture location along the length of individual crypts) within benign crypts were classed based on exploratory unsupervised IR spectral point clustering. Scores plots derived from individual small intestine crypts consistently generated one or two distinct spectra that clustered away from the remaining cell categories; these were retrospectively classed as "distinct base region" spectra. In these plots, a clear progression of locations along crypt lengths designated as from putative stem cells (SCs) to transit-amplifying (TA) cells to terminally differentiated (TD) cells was observed in benign small intestine and colon crypts. This progression of spectral points was crypt specific, pointing away from a unifying cell lineage model in human intestinal crypts. On comparison of AC-derived spectra versus corresponding benign, a subpopulation of AC-derived spectra suggested a putative SC-like spectral fingerprint; remaining IR spectra were classed as exhibiting TA cell-like or TD cell-like spectral characteristics. These observations could point to a cancer SC phenotype; an approach capable of identifying their in situ location has enormous therapeutic applications.

[Paneth cells: history of discovery, structural and functional characteristics and the role in the maintenance of homeostasis in the small intestine]

Cells with acidophilic granules in the crypts of the small intestine were first described, along with the other cells of intestinal epithelium, in 1872 by a well-known German anatomist, histologist and anthropologist G.A. Schwalbe, however they were named after an Austrian histologist and physiologist J. Paneth, who has performed their detailed morphological analysis in 1888. For many decades the role of Paneth cells (PCs) remained completely unclear, until in 1960-1970 the production of antimicrobial molecules by these cells was found. At present, it is established that PCs produce a broad spectrum of antimicrobial compounds, thus controlling the number and content of intestinal microbial populations. PCs are an important part of innate immunity defense mechanisms, however, by interacting with the other cells, they participate in the reactions of the adaptive immunity. By creating high concentrations of antimicrobial substances within the crypt, PCs protect intestinal stem cells from the damage by potentially pathogenic microorganisms, while by releasing some signaling molecules, they control the vital functions of these cells, being an important component of their niche. Affecting the host tissues and influencing the microbial populations, PCs play a significant role in the maintenance of homeostasis in the intestine.

Numb modulates the paracellular permeability of intestinal epithelial cells through regulating apical junctional complex assembly and myosin light chain phosphorylation

Numb is highly expressed throughout the crypt-villus axis of intestinal mucosa and functions as cell fate determinant and integrator of cell-to-cell adhesion. Increased paracellular permeability of intestinal epithelial cells is associated with the epithelial barrier dysfunction of inflammatory bowel diseases (IBDs). The apical junctional complex (AJC) assembly and myosin light chain (MLC) phosphorylation regulate adherens junctions (AJ) and tight junctions (TJ). We determined whether and how Numb modulate the paracellular permeability of intestinal epithelial cells. Caco-2 intestinal epithelial cells and their Numb-interfered counterparts were used in the study for physiological, morphological and biological analyses. Numb, expressed in intestinal epithelial cells and located at the plasma membrane of Caco-2 cells in a basolateral to apical distribution, increased in the intestinal epithelial cells with the formation of the intestinal epithelial barrier. Numb expression decreased and accumulated in the cytoplasm of intestinal epithelial cells in a DSS-induced colitis mouse model. Numb co-localized with E-cadherin, ZO-1 and Par3 at the plasma membrane and interacted with E-cadherin and Par3. Knockdown of Numb in Caco-2 cells altered the F-actin structure during the Ca(2+) switch assay, enhanced TNFα-/INF-γ-induced intestinal epithelial barrier dysfunction and TJ destruction, and increased the Claudin-2 protein level. Immunofluorescence experiments revealed that NMIIA and F-actin co-localized at the cell surface of Caco-2 cells. Numb knockdown in Caco-2 cells increased F-actin contraction and the abundance of phosphorylated MLC. Numb modulated the intestinal epithelial barrier in a Notch signaling-independent manner. These findings suggest that Numb modulates the paracellular permeability by affecting AJC assembly and MLC phosphorylation.

Enteric neuropathy can be induced by high fat diet in vivo and palmitic acid exposure in vitro

Objective

Obese and/or diabetic patients have elevated levels of free fatty acids and increased susceptibility to gastrointestinal symptoms. Since the enteric nervous system is pivotal in regulating gastrointestinal functions alterations or neuropathy in the enteric neurons are suspected to occur in these conditions. Lipid induced intestinal changes, in particular on enteric neurons, were investigated in vitro and in vivo using primary cell culture and a high fat diet (HFD) mouse model.

Design

Mice were fed normal or HFD for 6 months. Intestines were analyzed for neuronal numbers, remodeling and lipid accumulation. Co-cultures of myenteric neurons, glia and muscle cells from rat small intestine, were treated with palmitic acid (PA) (0 – 10⁻³ M) and / or oleic acid (OA) (0 – 10⁻³ M), with or without modulators of intracellular lipid metabolism. Analyses were by immunocyto- and histochemistry.

Results

HFD caused substantial loss of myenteric neurons, leaving submucous neurons unaffected, and intramuscular lipid accumulation in ileum and colon. PA exposure in vitro resulted in neuronal shrinkage, chromatin condensation and a significant and concentration-dependent decrease in neuronal survival; OA exposure was neuroprotective. Carnitine palmitoyltransferase 1 inhibition, L-carnitine- or alpha lipoic acid supplementation all counteracted PA-induced neuronal loss. PA or OA alone both caused a significant and concentration-dependent loss of muscle cells in vitro. Simultaneous exposure of PA and OA promoted survival of muscle cells and increased intramuscular lipid droplet accumulation. PA exposure transformed glia from a stellate to a rounded phenotype but had no effect on their survival.

Conclusions

HFD and PA exposure are detrimental to myenteric neurons. Present results indicate excessive palmitoylcarnitine formation and exhausted L-carnitine stores leading to energy depletion, attenuated acetylcholine synthesis and oxidative stress to be main mechanisms behind PA-induced neuronal loss.High PA exposure is suggested to be a factor in causing diabetic neuropathy and gastrointestinal dysregulation.

Tubular scaffolds of gelatin and poly(ε-caprolactone)-block-poly(γ-glutamic acid) blending hydrogel for the proliferation of the primary intestinal smooth muscle cells of rats

The proper regeneration of intestinal muscle for functional peristalsis is the most challenging aspect of current small intestine tissue engineering. This study aimed to fabricate a hydrogel scaffold for the proliferation of intestinal smooth muscle cells (ISMCs). Tubular porous scaffolds of 10-20 wt% gelatin and 0.05-0.1 wt% poly(ε-caprolactone)-block-poly(γ-glutamic acid) blending hydrogel were cross-linked by carbodiimide and succinimide in an annular space of a glass mold. The scaffolds with higher gelatin contents degraded slower in the phosphate buffer solution. In rheological measurements, the hydrated scaffolds were elastic (all tangent delta <0.45); they responded differentially to frequency, indicating a complete viscoelastic property that is beneficial for soft tissue regeneration. Isolated rat ISMCs, with the characteristic biomarkers α-SMA, calponin and myh11, were loaded into the scaffolds by using either static or centrifugal methods. The average cell density inside the scaffolds increased in a time-dependent manner in most scaffolds of both seeding groups, although at early time points (seven days) the centrifugal seeding method trapped cells more efficiently and yielded a higher cell density than the static seeding method. The static seeding method increased the cell density from 7.5-fold to 16.3-fold after 28 days, whereas the centrifugal procedure produced a maximum increase of only 2.4-fold in the same period. In vitro degradation data showed that 50-80% of the scaffold was degraded by the 14th day. However, the self-secreted extracellular matrix maintained the integrity of the scaffolds for cell proliferation and spreading for up to 28 days. Confocal microscopic images revealed cell-cell contacts with the formation of a 3D network, demonstrating that the fabricated scaffolds were highly biocompatible. Therefore, these polymeric biomaterials hold great promise for in vivo applications of intestinal tissue engineering.

Poncirus trifoliate fruit modulates pacemaker activity in interstitial cells of Cajal from the murine small intestine

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE

Poncirus fructus (PF) has been widely used as a traditional medicine in Eastern Asia, especially to ameliorate the symptoms of gastrointestinal (GI) disorders related to abnormal GI motility.

AIM OF THE STUDY

Poncirus fructus (PF), also known as Poncirus trifoliata (L.) Raf. (Rutaceae), is widely used as a traditional medicine in Eastern Asia mainly to ameliorate the symptoms of gastrointestinal (GI) disorders related to abnormal GI motility. In a previous study, a methanol extract of PF was found to have particularly potent gastroprokinetic effects. Interstitial cells of Cajal (ICCs) are pacemaker cells in the gastrointestinal tract, but the action mechanisms of PF extract in mouse small intestinal ICCs have not been investigated. Therefore, in the present study, we investigated the effects of a methanol extract of PF (MPF) in mouse small intestinal ICCs. In addition, we sought to identify the receptors involved.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Enzymatic digestions were used to dissociate ICCs from small intestines. The whole-cell patch-clamp configuration was used to record potentials (current clamp) from cultured ICCs. In addition, we analyzed intracellular Ca(2+) concentrations ([Ca(2+)]i).

RESULTS

MPF decreased the amplitudes of pacemaker potentials in ICCs, and depolarized resting membrane potentials in a concentration dependent manner. Y25130 (a 5-HT3 receptor antagonist) and RS39604 (a 5-HT4 receptor antagonist) blocked MPF-induced membrane depolarizations, whereas SB269970 (a 5-HT7 receptor antagonist) did not. Pretreatment with Na(+) or Ca(2+)-free solution or thapsigargin (a Ca(2+)-ATPase inhibitor in endoplasmic reticulum) abolished the generation of pacemaker potentials and suppressed MPF-induced activity. [Ca(2+)]i analysis showed that MPF increased [Ca(2+)]i. Furthermore, treatments with PD 98059, SB203580, or JNK II inhibitor blocked MPF-induced membrane depolarizations in ICCs.

CONCLUSION

These results suggest that MPF modulates pacemaker potentials through 5-HT3 and 5-HT4 receptor-mediated pathways via external Na(+) and Ca(2+) influx, and via Ca(2+) release from internal stores in a mitogen-activated protein kinase dependent manner. The study shows MPF is a good candidate for the development of a gastroprokinetic agent. In view of the effects of MPF on ICCs, further research is required, particularly to identify the active compound(s) involved and to determine their action mechanisms.

Generation of mouse small intestinal epithelial cell lines that allow the analysis of specific innate immune functions

Cell lines derived from the small intestine that reflect authentic properties of the originating intestinal epithelium are of high value for studies on mucosal immunology and host microbial homeostasis. A novel immortalization procedure was applied to generate continuously proliferating cell lines from murine E19 embryonic small intestinal tissue. The obtained cell lines form a tight and polarized epithelial cell layer, display characteristic tight junction, microvilli and surface protein expression and generate increasing transepithelial electrical resistance during in vitro culture. Significant up-regulation of Cxcl2 and Cxcl5 chemokine expression upon exposure to defined microbial innate immune stimuli and endogenous cytokines is observed. Cell lines were also generated from a transgenic interferon reporter (Mx2-Luciferase) mouse, allowing reporter technology-based quantification of the cellular response to type I and III interferon. Thus, the newly created cell lines mimic properties of the natural epithelium and can be used for diverse studies including testing of the absorption of drug candidates. The reproducibility of the method to create such cell lines from wild type and transgenic mice provides a new tool to study molecular and cellular processes of the epithelial barrier.

Isolation and characterization of intestinal stem cells based on surface marker combinations and colony-formation assay

BACKGROUND & AIMS

Identification of intestinal stem cells (ISCs) has relied heavily on the use of transgenic reporters in mice, but this approach is limited by mosaic expression patterns and difficult to directly apply to human tissues. We sought to identify reliable surface markers of ISCs and establish a robust functional assay to characterize ISCs from mouse and human tissues.

METHODS

We used immunohistochemistry, real-time reverse-transcription polymerase chain reaction, and fluorescence-activated cell sorting (FACS) to analyze intestinal epithelial cells isolated from mouse and human intestinal tissues. We compared different combinations of surface markers among ISCs isolated based on expression of Lgr5-green fluorescent protein. We developed a culture protocol to facilitate the identification of functional ISCs from mice and then tested the assay with human intestinal crypts and putative ISCs.

RESULTS

CD44(+)CD24(lo)CD166(+) cells, isolated by FACS from mouse small intestine and colon, expressed high levels of stem cell-associated genes. Transit-amplifying cells and progenitor cells were then excluded based on expression of GRP78 or c-Kit. CD44(+)CD24(lo)CD166(+) GRP78(lo/-) putative stem cells from mouse small intestine included Lgr5-GFP(hi) and Lgr5-GFP(med/lo) cells. Incubation of these cells with the GSK inhibitor CHIR99021 and the E-cadherin stabilizer Thiazovivin resulted in colony formation by 25% to 30% of single-sorted ISCs.

CONCLUSIONS

We developed a culture protocol to identify putative ISCs from mouse and human tissues based on cell surface markers. CD44(+)CD24(lo)CD166(+), GRP78(lo/-), and c-Kit(-) facilitated identification of putative stem cells from the mouse small intestine and colon, respectively. CD44(+)CD24(-/lo)CD166(+) also identified putative human ISCs. These findings will facilitate functional studies of mouse and human ISCs.

Evaluation of small intestine grafts decellularization methods for corneal tissue engineering

Advances in the development of cornea substitutes by tissue engineering techniques have focused on the use of decellularized tissue scaffolds. In this work, we evaluated different chemical and physical decellularization methods on small intestine tissues to determine the most appropriate decellularization protocols for corneal applications. Our results revealed that the most efficient decellularization agents were the SDS and triton X-100 detergents, which were able to efficiently remove most cell nuclei and residual DNA. Histological and histochemical analyses revealed that collagen fibers were preserved upon decellularization with triton X-100, NaCl and sonication, whereas reticular fibers were properly preserved by decellularization with UV exposure. Extracellular matrix glycoproteins were preserved after decellularization with SDS, triton X-100 and sonication, whereas proteoglycans were not affected by any of the decellularization protocols. Tissue transparency was significantly higher than control non-decellularized tissues for all protocols, although the best light transmittance results were found in tissues decellularized with SDS and triton X-100. In conclusion, our results suggest that decellularized intestinal grafts could be used as biological scaffolds for cornea tissue engineering. Decellularization with triton X-100 was able to efficiently remove all cells from the tissues while preserving tissue structure and most fibrillar and non-fibrillar extracellular matrix components, suggesting that this specific decellularization agent could be safely used for efficient decellularization of SI tissues for cornea TE applications.

ROS production and NF-κB activation triggered by RAC1 facilitate WNT-driven intestinal stem cell proliferation and colorectal cancer initiation

The Adenomatous Polyposis Coli (APC) gene is mutated in the majority of colorectal cancers (CRCs). Loss of APC leads to constitutively active WNT signaling, hyperproliferation, and tumorigenesis. Identification of pathways that facilitate tumorigenesis after APC loss is important for therapeutic development. Here, we show that RAC1 is a critical mediator of tumorigenesis after APC loss. We find that RAC1 is required for expansion of the LGR5 intestinal stem cell (ISC) signature, progenitor hyperproliferation, and transformation. Mechanistically, RAC1-driven ROS and NF-κB signaling mediate these processes. Together, these data highlight that ROS production and NF-κB activation triggered by RAC1 are critical events in CRC initiation.