Scientific Resources

NLRs (nucleotide-binding domain and leucine-rich repeats) belong to a large family of cytoplasmic sensors that regulate an extraordinarily diverse range of biological functions. One of these functions is to contribute to immunity against infectious diseases,but dysregulation of their functional activity leads to the development of inflammatory and autoimmune diseases. Cytoplasmic innate immune sensors,including NLRs,are central regulators of intestinal homeostasis. NLRC3 (also known as CLR16.2 or NOD3) is a poorly characterized member of the NLR family and was identified in a genomic screen for genes encoding proteins bearing leucine-rich repeats (LRRs) and nucleotide-binding domains. Expression of NLRC3 is drastically reduced in the tumour tissue of patients with colorectal cancer compared to healthy tissues,highlighting an undefined potential function for this sensor in the development of cancer. Here we show that mice lacking NLRC3 are hyper-susceptible to colitis and colorectal tumorigenesis. The effect of NLRC3 is most dominant in enterocytes,in which it suppresses activation of the mTOR signalling pathways and inhibits cellular proliferation and stem-cell-derived organoid formation. NLRC3 associates with PI3Ks and blocks activation of the PI3K-dependent kinase AKT following binding of growth factor receptors or Toll-like receptor 4. These findings reveal a key role for NLRC3 as an inhibitor of the mTOR pathways,mediating protection against colorectal cancer. View Publication

Enterotoxigenic Escherichia coli (ETEC) causes 20% of the acute infectious diarrhea (AID) episodes worldwide,often by producing heat-stable enterotoxins (STs),which are peptides structurally homologous to paracrine hormones of the intestinal guanylate cyclase C (GUCY2C) receptor. While molecular mechanisms mediating ST-induced intestinal secretion have been defined,advancements in therapeutics have been hampered for decades by the paucity of disease models that integrate molecular and functional endpoints amenable to high-throughput screening. Here,we reveal that mouse and human intestinal enteroids in three-dimensional ex vivo cultures express the components of the GUCY2C secretory signaling axis. ST and its structural analog,linaclotide,an FDA-approved oral secretagog,induced fluid accumulation quantified simultaneously in scores of enteroid lumens,recapitulating ETEC-induced intestinal secretion. Enteroid secretion depended on canonical molecular signaling events responsible for ETEC-induced diarrhea,including cyclic GMP (cGMP) produced by GUCY2C,activation of cGMP-dependent protein kinase (PKG),and opening of the cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator (CFTR). Importantly,pharmacological inhibition of CFTR abrogated enteroid fluid secretion,providing proof of concept for the utility of this model to screen antidiarrheal agents. Intestinal enteroids offer a unique model,integrating the GUCY2C signaling axis and luminal fluid secretion,to explore the pathophysiology of,and develop platforms for,high-throughput drug screening to identify novel compounds to prevent and treat ETEC diarrheal disease. View Publication

Group 3 innate lymphoid cells (ILC3) are major regulators of inflammation and infection at mucosal barriers. ILC3 development is thought to be programmed,but how ILC3 perceive,integrate and respond to local environmental signals remains unclear. Here we show that ILC3 in mice sense their environment and control gut defence as part of a glial"ILC3"epithelial cell unit orchestrated by neurotrophic factors. We found that enteric ILC3 express the neuroregulatory receptor RET. ILC3-autonomous Ret ablation led to decreased innate interleukin-22 (IL-22),impaired epithelial reactivity,dysbiosis and increased susceptibility to bowel inflammation and infection. Neurotrophic factors directly controlled innate Il22 downstream of the p38 MAPK/ERK-AKT cascade and STAT3 activation. Notably,ILC3 were adjacent to neurotrophic-factor-expressing glial cells that exhibited stellate-shaped projections into ILC3 aggregates. Glial cells sensed microenvironmental cues in a MYD88-dependent manner to control neurotrophic factors and innate IL-22. Accordingly,glial-intrinsic Myd88 deletion led to impaired production of ILC3-derived IL-22 and a pronounced propensity towards gut inflammation and infection. Our work sheds light on a novel multi-tissue defence unit,revealing that glial cells are central hubs of neuron and innate immune regulation by neurotrophic factor signals. View Publication

p40,a Lactobacillus rhamnosus GG (LGG)-derived protein,transactivates epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) in intestinal epithelial cells,leading to amelioration of intestinal injury and inflammation. To elucidate mechanisms by which p40 regulates mucosal immunity to prevent inflammation,this study aimed to determine the effects and mechanisms of p40 on regulation of a proliferation-inducing ligand (APRIL) expression in intestinal epithelial cells for promoting immunoglobulin A (IgA) production. p40 upregulated April gene expression and protein production in mouse small intestine epithelial (MSIE) cells,which were inhibited by blocking EGFR expression and kinase activity. Enteroids from Egfr(fl/fl),but not Egfr(fl/fl)-Vil-Cre mice with EGFR specifically deleted in intestinal epithelial cells,exhibited increased April gene expression by p40 treatment. p40-conditioned media from MSIE cells increased B-cell class switching to IgA(+) cells and IgA production,which was suppressed by APRIL receptor-neutralizing antibodies. Treatment of B cells with p40 did not show any effects on IgA production. p40 treatment increased April gene expression and protein production in small intestinal epithelial cells,fecal IgA levels,IgA(+)B220(+),IgA(+)CD19(+),and IgA(+) plasma cells in lamina propria of Egfr(fl/fl),but not of Egfr(fl/fl)-Vil-Cre,mice. Thus p40 upregulates EGFR-dependent APRIL production in intestinal epithelial cells,which may contribute to promoting IgA production. View Publication

Dietary microRNAs (miRNAs) modulation could be important for health and wellbeing. Part of the healthful activities of polyphenols might be due to a modulation of miRNAs' expression. Among the most biologically active polyphenols,hydroxytyrosol (HT) has never been studied for its actions on miRNAs. We investigated whether HT could modulate the expression of miRNAs in vivo. We performed an unbiased intestinal miRNA screening in mice supplemented (for 8 weeks) with nutritionally relevant amounts of HT. HT modulated the expression of several miRNAs. Analysis of other tissues revealed consistent HT-induced modulation of only few miRNAs. Also,HT administration increased triglycerides levels. Acute treatment with HT and in vitro experiments provided mechanistic insights. The HT-induced expression of one miRNA was confirmed in healthy volunteers supplemented with HT in a randomized,double-blind and placebo-controlled trial. HT consumption affects specific miRNAs' expression in rodents and humans. Our findings suggest that the modulation of miRNAs' action through HT consumption might partially explain its healthful activities and might be pharmanutritionally exploited in current therapies targeting endogenous miRNAs. However,the effects of HT on triglycerides warrant further investigations. View Publication

Not provided. View Publication

Colon carcinogenesis is a multiple-step process involving the accumulation of a series of genetic and epigenetic alterations. The most commonly initiating event of intestinal carcinogenesis is mutation of the adenomatous polyposis coli (APC) gene,which leads to activation of the Wnt/β-catenin pathway. Olfactomedin 4 (OLFM4) has emerged as an intestinal stem-cell marker,but its biological function in the intestine remains to be determined. Here we show that Olfm4 deletion induced colon adenocarcinoma in the distal colon of Apc(Min/+) mice. Mechanistically,we found that OLFM4 is a target gene of the Wnt/β-catenin pathway and can downregulate β-catenin signaling by competing with Wnt ligands for binding to Frizzled receptors,as well as by inhibition of the Akt-GSK-3β (Akt-glycogen synthase kinase-3β) pathway. We have shown that both Wnt and nuclear factor-κB (NF-κB) signaling were boosted in tumor tissues of Apc Olfm4 double-mutant mice. These data establish OLFM4 as a critical negative regulator of the Wnt/β-catenin and NF-κB pathways that inhibits colon-cancer development initiated by APC mutation. In addition,Olfm4 deletion significantly enhanced intestinal-crypt proliferation and inflammation induced by azoxymethane/dextran sodium sulfate. Thus,OLFM4 has an important role in the regulation of intestinal inflammation and tumorigenesis,and could be a potential therapeutic target for intestinal malignant tumors. Unlike the human colonic epithelium,the mouse colonic epithelium does not express OLFM4,but nevertheless,systemic OLFM4 deletion promotes colon tumorigenesis and that loss from mucosal neutrophils may have a role to play. View Publication

Helicobacter pylori causes cellular vacuolation in host cells,a cytotoxic event attributed to vacuolating cytotoxin (VacA) and the presence of permeant weak bases such as ammonia. We report here the role of γ-glutamyl transpeptidase (GGT),a constitutively expressed secretory enzyme of H. pylori,in potentiating VacA-dependent vacuolation formation in H. pylori-infected AGS and primary gastric cells. The enhancement is brought about by GGT hydrolysing glutamine present in the extracellular medium,thereby releasing ammonia which accentuates the VacA-induced vacuolation. The events of vacuolation in H. pylori wild type (WT)- and Δggt-infected AGS cells were first captured and visualized by real-time phase-contrast microscopy where WT was observed to induce more vacuoles than Δggt. By using semi-quantitative neutral red uptake assay,we next showed that Δggt induced significantly less vacuolation in AGS and primary gastric epithelial cells as compared to the parental strain (Ptextless0.05) indicating that GGT potentiates the vacuolating effect of VacA. Notably,vacuolation induced by WT was significantly reduced in the absence of GGT substrate,glutamine (Ptextless0.05) or in the presence of a competitive GGT inhibitor,serine-borate complex. Furthermore,the vacuolating ability of Δggt was markedly restored when co-incubated with purified recombinant GGT (rGGT),although rGGT itself did not induce vacuolation independently. Similarly,the addition of exogenous ammonium chloride as a source of ammonia also rescued the ability of Δggt to induce vacuolation. Additionally,we also show that monoclonal antibodies against GGT effectively inhibited GGT activity and successfully suppressed H. pylori-induced vacuolation. Collectively,our results clearly demonstrate that generation of ammonia by GGT through glutamine hydrolysis is responsible for enhancing VacA-dependent vacuolation. Our findings provide a new perspective on GGT as an important virulence factor and a promising target in the management of H. pylori-associated gastric diseases. View Publication

Cholangiocytes are the target of a heterogeneous group of liver diseases known as the cholangiopathies. An evolving understanding of the mechanisms driving biliary development provides the theoretical underpinnings for rational development of induced pluripotent stem cell (iPSC)-derived cholangiocytes (iDCs). Therefore,the aims of this study were to develop an approach to generate iDCs and to fully characterize the cells in vitro and in vivo. Human iPSC lines were generated by forced expression of the Yamanaka pluripotency factors. We then pursued a stepwise differentiation strategy toward iDCs,using precise temporal exposure to key biliary morphogens,and we characterized the cells,using a variety of morphologic,molecular,cell biologic,functional,and in vivo approaches. Morphology shows a stepwise phenotypic change toward an epithelial monolayer. Molecular analysis during differentiation shows appropriate enrichment in markers of iPSC,definitive endoderm,hepatic specification,hepatic progenitors,and ultimately cholangiocytes. Immunostaining,western blotting,and flow cytometry demonstrate enrichment of multiple functionally relevant biliary proteins. RNA sequencing reveals that the transcriptome moves progressively toward that of human cholangiocytes. iDCs generate intracellular calcium signaling in response to ATP,form intact primary cilia,and self-assemble into duct-like structures in three-dimensional culture. In vivo,the cells engraft within mouse liver,following retrograde intrabiliary infusion. In summary,we have developed a novel approach to generate mature cholangiocytes from iPSCs. In addition to providing a model of biliary differentiation,iDCs represent a platform for in vitro disease modeling,pharmacologic testing,and individualized,cell-based,regenerative therapies for the cholangiopathies. View Publication

Gene- and cell-based therapies are promising strategies for the treatment of degenerative retinal diseases such as age-related macular degeneration,Stargardt disease,and retinitis pigmentosa. Cellular engineering before transplantation may allow the delivery of cellular factors that can promote functional improvements,such as increased engraftment or survival of transplanted cells. A current challenge in traditional DNA-based vector transfection is to find a delivery system that is both safe and efficient,but using mRNA as an alternative to DNA can circumvent these major roadblocks. In this study,we show that both unmodified and modified mRNA can be delivered to retinal pigmented epithelial (RPE) cells with a high efficiency compared with conventional plasmid delivery systems. On the other hand,administration of unmodified mRNA induced a strong innate immune response that was almost absent when using modified mRNA. Importantly,transfection of mRNA encoding a key regulator of RPE gene expression,microphthalmia-associated transcription factor (MITF),confirmed the functionality of the delivered mRNA. Immunostaining showed that transfection with either type of mRNA led to the expression of roughly equal levels of MITF,primarily localized in the nucleus. Despite these findings,quantitative RT-PCR analyses showed that the activation of the expression of MITF target genes was higher following transfection with modified mRNA compared with unmodified mRNA. Our findings,therefore,show that modified mRNA transfection can be applied to human embryonic stem cell-derived RPE cells and that the method is safe,efficient,and functional. View Publication

BACKGROUND Induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) hold tremendous potential,both as a biological tool to uncover the pathophysiology of disease by creating relevant human cell models and as a source of cells for cell-based therapeutic applications. Studying the reprogramming process will also provide significant insight into tissue development. OBJECTIVE We sought to characterize the derivation of iPSC lines from nasal epithelial cells (NECs) isolated from nasal mucosa samples of children,a highly relevant and easily accessible tissue for pediatric populations. METHODS We performed detailed comparative analysis on the transcriptomes and methylomes of NECs,iPSCs derived from NECs (NEC-iPSCs),and embryonic stem cells (ESCs). RESULTS NEC-iPSCs express pluripotent cell markers,can differentiate into all 3 germ layers in vivo and in vitro,and have a transcriptome and methylome remarkably similar to those of ESCs. However,residual DNA methylation marks exist,which are differentially methylated between NEC-iPSCs and ESCs. A subset of these methylation markers related to epithelium development and asthma and specific to NEC-iPSCs persisted after several passages in vitro,suggesting the retention of an epigenetic memory of their tissue of origin. Our analysis also identified novel candidate genes with dynamic gene expression and DNA methylation changes during reprogramming,which are indicative of possible roles in airway epithelium development. CONCLUSION NECs are an excellent tissue source to generate iPSCs in pediatric asthmatic patients,and detailed characterization of the resulting iPSC lines would help us better understand the reprogramming process and retention of epigenetic memory. View Publication

Vocal fold epithelial cells are very difficult to study as the vocal fold epithelial cell lines do not exist and they cannot be removed from the healthy larynx without engendering a significant and unacceptable risk to vocal fold function. Here,we describe the procedure to create an engineered vocal fold tissue construct consisting of the scaffold composed of the collagen 1 gel seeded with human fibroblasts and simple epithelial progenitors seeded on the scaffold and cultivated at air-liquid interface for 19-21 days to derive the stratified squamous epithelium. This model of vocal fold mucosa is very similar in morphology,gene expression,and phenotypic characteristics to native vocal fold epithelial cells and the underlying lamina propria and,therefore,offers a promising approach to studying vocal fold biology and biomechanics in health and disease. View Publication