Development of intestinal M cells and follicle-associated epithelium is regulated by TRAF6-mediated NF-κB signaling

M cells are located in the follicle-associated epithelium (FAE) that covers Peyer’s patches (PPs) and are responsible for the uptake of intestinal antigens. The differentiation of M cells is initiated by receptor activator of NF-κB. However, the intracellular pathways involved in M cell differentiation are still elusive. In this study, we demonstrate that the NF-κB pathway activated by RANK is essential for M cell differentiation using in vitro organoid culture. Overexpression of NF-κB transcription factors enhances the expression of M cell–associated molecules but is not sufficient to complete M cell differentiation. Furthermore, we evaluated the requirement for tumor necrosis factor receptor–associated factor 6 (TRAF6). Conditional deletion of TRAF6 in the intestinal epithelium causes a complete loss of M cells in PPs, resulting in impaired antigen uptake into PPs. In addition, the expression of FAE-associated genes is almost silenced in TRAF6-deficient mice. This study thus demonstrates the crucial role of TRAF6-mediated NF-κB signaling in the development of M cells and FAE.

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Identifying human and murine M cells in vitro

Experimental Biology and Medicine ◽

10.1177/1535370219838674 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 244 (7) ◽

pp. 554-564 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Ana Klisuric ◽

Benjamin Thierry ◽

Ludivine Delon ◽

Clive A Prestidge ◽

Rachel J Gibson

Keyword(s):

Epithelial Cell ◽

Epithelial Cells ◽

In Vitro Models ◽

Oral Drug ◽

M Cells ◽

Cell Marker ◽

M Cell ◽

Follicle Associated Epithelium

M cells are an epithelial cell population found in the follicle-associated epithelium overlying gut-associated lymphoid tissues. They are specialized in the transcytosis of luminal antigens. Their transcytotic capacity and location in an immunocompetent environment has prompted the study of these cells as possible targets for oral drug delivery systems. Currently, the models most commonly used to study M cells are restricted to in vivo experiments conducted in mice, and in vitro studies conducted in models comprised either of primary epithelial cells or established cell lines of murine or human origin. In vitro models of the follicle-associated epithelium can be constructed in several ways. Small intestinal Lgr5+ stem cells can be cultured into a 3D organoid structure where M cells are induced with RANKL administration. Additionally, in vitro models containing an “M cell-like” population can be obtained through co-culturing intestinal epithelial cells with cells of lymphocytic origin to induce the M cell phenotype. The evaluation of the efficiency of the variations of these models and their relevance to the in vivo human system is hampered by the lack of a universal M cell marker. This issue has also hindered the advancement of M cell-specific targeting approaches aimed at improving the bioavailability of orally administered compounds. This critical review discusses the different approaches utilized in the literature to identify M cells, their efficiency, reliability and relevance, in the context of commonly used models of the follicle-associated epithelium. The outcome of this review is a clearly defined and universally recognized criteria for the assessment of the relevance of models of the follicle-associated models currently used. Impact statement The study of M cells, a specialized epithelial cell type found in the follicle-associated epithelium, is hampered by the lack of a universal M cell marker. As such, many studies lack reliable and universally recognized methods to identify M cells in their proposed models. As a result of this it is difficult to ascertain whether the effects observed are due to the presence of M cells or an unaccounted variable. The outcome of this review is the thorough evaluation of the many M cell markers that have been used in the literature thus far and a proposed criterion for the identification of M cells for future publications. This will hopefully lead to an improvement in the quality of future publications in this field.

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Bacterial lipopolysaccharide directly induces angiogenesis through TRAF6-mediated activation of NF-κB and c-Jun N-terminal kinase

Blood ◽

10.1182/blood-2003-01-0288 ◽

2003 ◽

Vol 102 (5) ◽

pp. 1740-1742 ◽

Cited By ~ 69

Author(s):

Ingrid Pollet ◽

Christy J. Opina ◽

Carla Zimmerman ◽

Kevin G. Leong ◽

Fred Wong ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Intracellular Signaling ◽

Tumor Necrosis Factor Receptor ◽

Nuclear Factor Κb ◽

Dominant Negative ◽

Bacterial Lipopolysaccharide ◽

Intracellular Signaling Pathway ◽

Necrosis Factor

AbstractThe intracellular pathways by which inflammatory mediators transmit their angiogenic signals is not well studied. The effects of a potent inflammatory mediator, bacterial lipopolysaccharide (LPS), are transmitted through Toll-like receptors (TLRs). A major, although not exclusive, LPS/TLR intracellular signaling pathway is routed through TNF (tumor necrosis factor) receptor associated factor 6 (TRAF6). In this report we demonstrate that LPS directly stimulates endothelial sprouting in vitro. By blocking TRAF6 activity using retroviral expression of a dominant-negative TRAF6 in endothelial cells, we show that TRAF6 is absolutely required for the LPS-initiated angiogenic response in vitro and in vivo. Inhibition of either c-Jun N-terminal kinase (JNK) activity or nuclear factor κB (NF-κB) activity, downstream of TRAF6, is sufficient to inhibit LPS-induced endothelial sprouting. In contrast, only inhibition of NF-κB, but not JNK, activity blocks basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF)–induced angiogenesis. Our findings thus demonstrate a direct endothelial-stimulatory role of LPS in initiating angiogenesis through activation of TRAF6-dependent signaling pathways.

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PRC2 Regulated Atoh8 Is a Regulator of Intestinal Microfold Cell (M Cell) Differentiation

International Journal of Molecular Sciences ◽

10.3390/ijms22179355 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 22 (17) ◽

pp. 9355

Author(s):

Joel Johnson George ◽

Laura Martin-Diaz ◽

Markus J. T. Ojanen ◽

Rosa Gasa ◽

Marko Pesu ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Cell Differentiation ◽

Mucosal Immunity ◽

M Cells ◽

M Cell ◽

Polycomb Repressive Complex 2 ◽

Salmonella Infections ◽

Epigenetic Regulator ◽

Development And Differentiation ◽

Microfold Cells

Intestinal microfold cells (M cells) are a dynamic lineage of epithelial cells that initiate mucosal immunity in the intestine. They are responsible for the uptake and transcytosis of microorganisms, pathogens, and other antigens in the gastrointestinal tract. A mature M cell expresses a receptor Gp2 which binds to pathogens and aids in the uptake. Due to the rarity of these cells in the intestine, their development and differentiation remain yet to be fully understood. We recently demonstrated that polycomb repressive complex 2 (PRC2) is an epigenetic regulator of M cell development, and 12 novel transcription factors including Atoh8 were revealed to be regulated by the PRC2. Here, we show that Atoh8 acts as a regulator of M cell differentiation; the absence of Atoh8 led to a significant increase in the number of Gp2+ mature M cells and other M cell-associated markers such as Spi-B and Sox8. In vitro organoid analysis of RankL treated organoid showed an increase of mature marker GP2 expression and other M cell-associated markers. Atoh8 null mice showed an increase in transcytosis capacity of luminal antigens. An increase in M cell population has been previously reported to be detrimental to mucosal immunity because some pathogens like orally acquired prions have been able to exploit the transcytosis capacity of M cells to infect the host; mice with an increased population of M cells are also susceptible to Salmonella infections. Our study here demonstrates that PRC2 regulated Atoh8 is one of the factors that regulate the population density of intestinal M cell in the Peyer’s patch.

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Characterization of M Cells in Tear Duct-Associated Lymphoid Tissue of Mice: A Potential Role in Immunosurveillance on the Ocular Surface

Frontiers in Immunology ◽

10.3389/fimmu.2021.779709 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 12 ◽

Author(s):

Yuki Oya ◽

Shunsuke Kimura ◽

Yutaka Nakamura ◽

Narumi Ishihara ◽

Shunsuke Takano ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Cell Differentiation ◽

Lymphoid Tissue ◽

Immune Surveillance ◽

Small Population ◽

M Cells ◽

Eye Drops ◽

M Cell ◽

Antigen Uptake ◽

Mucosal Tissues ◽

Eye Region

The ocular mucosal tissues are exposed to potentially harmful foreign antigens in the air and tear fluid. The tear duct-associated lymphoid tissue (TALT) may contribute to immune surveillance in the eye region. Follicle-associated epithelium (FAE) of TALTs is classified as stratified squamous epithelium and consists of squamous epithelial cells arranged in layers on the basement membrane. In contrast, most mucosa-associated lymphoid tissue is covered by a monolayer of epithelium containing microfold (M) cells. Therefore, antigen uptake and the presence of M cells in TALT are not fully understood. The present study found that a small population of FAE cells in the TALT expressed intestinal M-cell markers, namely Sox8, Tnfaip2, GP2, and OPG. This cell population was identified as functional M cells because of their uptake capacity of luminal nanoparticles. In addition, RANKL, which is essential for M-cell differentiation, was expressed by stroma-like cells at the subepithelial region and its receptor RANK by the FAE in the TALT. The administration of RANKL markedly increased the number of Sox8+ M cells. In contrast, deficiency in OPG, an endogenous inhibitor of RANKL, increased the number of M cells in the TALT. These data demonstrate that the RANKL-RANK axis is essential for M-cell differentiation in the TALT. Furthermore, immunization via eye drops elicited the production of antigen-specific antibodies in tears, which was enhanced by RANKL administration. Thus, TALT M cells play an important role in the immunosurveillance of the eye region.

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Role of the glycocalyx in regulating access of microparticles to apical plasma membranes of intestinal epithelial cells: implications for microbial attachment and oral vaccine targeting.

Journal of Experimental Medicine ◽

10.1084/jem.184.3.1045 ◽

1996 ◽

Vol 184 (3) ◽

pp. 1045-1059 ◽

Cited By ~ 273

Author(s):

A Frey ◽

K T Giannasca ◽

R Weltzin ◽

P J Giannasca ◽

H Reggio ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Epithelial Cells ◽

Plasma Membranes ◽

Intestinal Epithelial Cells ◽

Oral Vaccine ◽

M Cells ◽

Intestinal Epithelial ◽

M Cell ◽

Antigen Uptake ◽

Apical Membranes

Transepithelial transport of antigens and pathogens across the epithelial barrier by M cells may be a prerequisite for induction of mucosal immunity in the intestine. Efficient transport of antigens and pathogens requires adherence to M cell apical surfaces. Coupling of antigen-containing particles to the pentameric binding subunit of cholera toxin (CTB) has been proposed as a means for increasing antigen uptake because the CTB receptor, ganglioside GM1, is a glycolipid present in apical membranes of all intestinal epithelial cells. To test the accessibility of enterocyte and M cell membrane glycolipids to ligands in the size ranges of viruses, bacteria, and particulate mucosal vaccines, we analyzed binding of CTB probes of different sizes to rabbit Peyer's patch epithelium. Soluble CTB-fluorescein isothiocyanate (diameter 6.4 nm) bound to apical membranes of all epithelial cells. CTB coupled to 14 nm colloidal gold (final diameter, 28.8 nm) failed to adhere to enterocytes but did adhere to M cells. CTB-coated, fluorescent microparticles (final diameter, 1.13 microns) failed to adhere to enterocytes or M cells in vivo or to well-differentiated Caco-2 intestinal epithelial cells in vitro. However, these particles bound specifically to GM1 on BALB/c 3T3 fibroblasts in vitro and to undifferentiated Caco-2 cells that lacked brush borders and glycocalyx. Measurements of glycocalyx thickness by electron microscopy suggested that a relatively thin (20 nm) glycocalyx was sufficient to prevent access of 1-micron microparticles to glycolipid receptors. Thus, the barrier function of the intestinal epithelial cell glycocalyx may be important in limiting microbial adherence to membrane glycolipids, and in CTB-mediated targeting of vaccines to M cells and the mucosal immune system.

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TNF-α augments RANKL-dependent intestinal M cell differentiation in enteroid cultures

AJP Cell Physiology ◽

10.1152/ajpcell.00108.2016 ◽

2016 ◽

Vol 311 (3) ◽

pp. C498-C507 ◽

Cited By ~ 37

Author(s):

Megan B. Wood ◽

Daniel Rios ◽

Ifor R. Williams

Keyword(s):

Cell Differentiation ◽

Protein Kinase ◽

Three Dimensional ◽

Mitogen Activated Protein Kinase ◽

M Cells ◽

Epithelial Stem Cells ◽

M Cell ◽

Gene Encoding ◽

Tnf Α ◽

Follicle Associated Epithelium

Microfold (M) cells are phagocytic intestinal epithelial cells in the follicle-associated epithelium of Peyer's patches that transport particulate antigens from the gut lumen into the subepithelial dome. Differentiation of M cells from epithelial stem cells in intestinal crypts requires the cytokine receptor activator of NF-κB ligand (RANKL) and the transcription factor Spi-B. We used three-dimensional enteroid cultures established with small intestinal crypts from mice as a model system to investigate signaling pathways involved in M cell differentiation and the influence of other cytokines on RANKL-induced M cell differentiation. Addition of RANKL to enteroids induced expression of multiple M cell-associated genes, including Spib, Ccl9 [chemokine (C-C motif) ligand 9], Tnfaip2 (TNF-α-induced protein 2), Anxa5 (annexin A5), and Marcksl1 (myristoylated alanine-rich protein kinase C substrate) in 1 day. The mature M cell marker glycoprotein 2 ( Gp2) was strongly induced by 3 days and expressed by 11% of cells in enteroids. The noncanonical NF-κB pathway was required for RANKL-induced M cell differentiation in enteroids, as addition of RANKL to enteroids from mice with a null mutation in the mitogen-activated protein kinase kinase kinase 14 ( Map3k14) gene encoding NF-κB-inducing kinase failed to induce M cell-associated genes. While the cytokine TNF-α alone had little, if any, effect on expression of M cell-associated genes, addition of TNF-α to RANKL consistently resulted in three- to sixfold higher levels of multiple M cell-associated genes than RANKL alone. One contributing mechanism is the rapid induction by TNF-α of Relb and Nfkb2 (NF-κB subunit 2), genes encoding the two subunits of the noncanonical NF-κB heterodimer. We conclude that endogenous activators of canonical NF-κB signaling present in the gut-associated lymphoid tissue microenvironment, including TNF-α, can play a supportive role in the RANKL-dependent differentiation of M cells in the follicle-associated epithelium.

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A201 UNDERSTANDING THE INFECTION DYNAMICS OF MYCOBACTERIUM PARATUBERCULOSIS (MAP)

Journal of the Canadian Association of Gastroenterology ◽

10.1093/jcag/gwab002.199 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 4 (Supplement_1) ◽

pp. 225-226

Author(s):

G M Baruta ◽

H Zhang ◽

L Alston ◽

S A Hirota

Keyword(s):

Cell Differentiation ◽

Cell Model ◽

Ex Vivo ◽

Gastrointestinal Disease ◽

Mycobacterium Avium Subspecies Paratuberculosis ◽

Experimental System ◽

M Cells ◽

M Cell ◽

Cellular Tropism

Abstract Background Mycobacterium avium subspecies paratuberculosis (MAP) is the causative agent of Johne’s disease (JD) in ruminants. Following infection, JD may present as enteritis, leading to wasting, often causing premature culling of livestock. Beyond veterinary medicine, several mycobacterium species, including MAP, have been implicated in human gastrointestinal disease. While MAP has been incriminated in causing Crohn’s disease (a claim that has yet to be substantiated), there are confirmed cases of MAP infection in immunocompromised individuals, causing profuse diarrhea, fever, and drastic weight loss. Given the economic burden associated with MAP infection, considerable efforts have sought to understand its dynamics. However, these processes have not been completely characterized, hindering our ability to generate novel anti-infective agents. While the current paradigm suggests that MAP travels to the small intestine, gaining entry through the epithelium, the exact cellular tropism and the mechanism(s) of entry are not well defined. Therefore, we have developed an ex vivo enteroid-based system to visualize invasion of MAP in distinct cells of the intestinal epithelium using a GFP-expressing MAP strain. With this, we sought to test the hypothesis that MAP invasion occurs via M cells through receptor-mediated transcytosis. Aims 1) Characterize experimental system and visualize MAP invasion 2) Determine cellular tropism 3) Uncover mechanisms underlying MAP invasion Methods Enteroids (2D and 3D) were generated and M cell differentiation induced via addition of RANKL. Confluent ileal monolayers were exposed to GFP-expressing MAP strain (K10 pWES4). Confocal microscopy was performed, and barrier function was measured via transepithelial electrical resistance (TEER). Results We generated 3D enteroids and confluent enteroid-derived monolayers with functional M cells capable of transcytosis. MAP was detected mainly within M cells. We further confirmed this finding using a human in vitro M cell model, the Caco-2/Raji-B co-culture system. Furthermore, alterations in TEER following MAP exposure in monolayers cultured with RANKL, triggering M cell differentiation, suggest the existence of a novel mechanism by which MAP disrupts the barrier to invade the mucosa. Conclusions Our results suggest that MAP translocates across the epithelium predominantly via M cells, as shown both in a human and murine model. This newly optimized approach provides an experimental system that will enable us to better characterize M cell-MAP interactions, with the hopes of identifying new therapeutic targets to prevent the spread of MAP and reduce economic impact of JD. Beyond MAP infection, this novel ex vivo system has potential to elucidate other host-pathogen interactions. Funding Agencies Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada (NSERC)

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Antagonism of Adherent Invasive E. coli LF82 With Human α-defensin 5 in the Follicle-associated Epithelium of Patients With Ileal Crohn’s Disease

Inflammatory Bowel Diseases ◽

10.1093/ibd/izaa315 ◽

2020 ◽

Author(s):

Lina Y Alkaissi ◽

Martin E Winberg ◽

Stéphanie DS Heil ◽

Staffan Haapaniemi ◽

Pär Myrelid ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Crohn’S Disease ◽

Crohn's Disease ◽

Ex Vivo ◽

Ussing Chambers ◽

E Coli ◽

Follicle Associated Epithelium ◽

Vitro Model ◽

Set Up

Abstract Background The first visible signs of Crohn’s disease (CD) are microscopic erosions over the follicle-associated epithelium (FAE). The aim of the study was to investigate the effects of human α-defensin 5 (HD5) on adherent-invasive Escherichia coli LF82 translocation and HD5 secretion after LF82 exposure in an in vitro model of human FAE and in human FAE ex vivo. Methods An in vitro FAE-model was set up by the coculture of Raji B cells and Caco-2-cl1 cells. Ileal FAE from patients with CD and controls were mounted in Ussing chambers. The effect of HD5 on LF82 translocation was studied by LF82 exposure to the cells or tissues with or without incubation with HD5. The HD5 secretion was measured in human FAE exposed to LF82 or Salmonella typhimurium. The HD5 levels were evaluated by immunofluorescence, immunoblotting, and ELISA. Results There was an increased LF82 translocation across the FAE-model compared with Caco-2-cl1 (P < 0.05). Incubation of cell/tissues with HD5 before LF82 exposure reduced bacterial passage in both models. Human FAE showed increased LF82 translocation in CD compared with controls and attenuated passage after incubation with sublethal HD5 in both CD and controls (P < 0.05). LF82 exposure resulted in a lower HD5 secretion in CD FAE compared with controls (P < 0.05), whereas Salmonella exposure caused equal secretion on CD and controls. There were significantly lower HD5 levels in CD tissues compared with controls. Conclusions Sublethal HD5 reduces the ability of LF82 to translocate through FAE. The HD5 is secreted less in CD in response to LF82, despite a normal response to Salmonella. This further implicates the integrated role of antimicrobial factors and barrier function in CD pathogenesis.

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TNFRSF14 deficiency protects against ovariectomy-induced adipose tissue inflammation

Journal of Endocrinology ◽

10.1530/joe-13-0341 ◽

2014 ◽

Vol 220 (1) ◽

pp. 25-33 ◽

Cited By ~ 10

Author(s):

Eun-Kyung Choi ◽

Woon-Ki Kim ◽

Ok-Joo Sul ◽

Yun-Kyung Park ◽

Eun-Sook Kim ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Reactive Oxygen Species ◽

Adipose Tissue ◽

Tumor Necrosis ◽

Ovarian Function ◽

Tumor Necrosis Factor Receptor ◽

Oxygen Species ◽

Adipose Tissue Inflammation ◽

Metabolic Perturbation ◽

Necrosis Factor

To elucidate the role of tumor necrosis factor receptor superfamily member 14 (TNFRSF14) in metabolic disturbance due to loss of ovarian function, ovariectomy (OVX) was performed in TNFRSF 14-knockout mice. OVX increased fat mass and infiltration of highly inflammatory CD11c cells in the adipose tissue (AT), which was analyzed by flow cytometry, and resulted in disturbance of glucose metabolism, whereas TNFRSF14 deficiency attenuated these effects. TNFRSF14 deficiency decreased recruitment of CD11c-expressing cells in AT and reduced the polarization of bone marrow-derived macrophages to M1. Upon engagement of LIGHT, a TNFRSF14 ligand, TNFRSF14 enhanced the expression of CD11c via generation of reactive oxygen species, suggesting a role of TNFRSF14 as a redox modulator. TNFRSF14 participated in OVX-induced AT inflammation via upregulation of CD11c, resulting in metabolic perturbation. TNFRSF14 could be used as a therapeutic target for the treatment of postmenopausal syndrome by reducing AT inflammation.

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