scholarly journals Epithelial cells of the intestine acquire cell-intrinsic inflammation signatures during ageing

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Maja C Funk ◽  
Jan G Gleixner ◽  
Florian Heigwer ◽  
Erica Valentini ◽  
Zeynep Aydin ◽  
...  

During ageing, cell-intrinsic and extrinsic factors lead to the decline of tissue function and organismal health. Disentangling these factors is important for developing effective strategies to prolong organismal healthspan. Here, we addressed this question in the mouse intestinal epithelium, which forms a dynamic interface with its microenvironment and receives extrinsic signals affecting its homeostasis and tissue ageing. We systematically compared transcriptional profiles of young and aged epithelial cells in vivo and ex vivo in cultured intestinal organoids. We found that all cell types of the aged epithelium exhibit an inflammation phenotype, which is marked by MHC class II upregulation and most pronounced in enterocytes. This was accompanied by elevated levels of the immune tolerance markers PD-1 and PD-L1 in the aged tissue microenvironment, indicating dysregulation of immunological homeostasis. Intestinal organoids from aged mice still showed an inflammation signature after weeks in culture, which was concurrent with increased chromatin accessibility of inflammation-associated loci. Our results reveal a cell-intrinsic, persistent inflammation phenotype in aged epithelial cells, which might contribute to systemic inflammation observed during ageing.

Open Biology ◽  
2018 ◽  
Vol 8 (4) ◽  
pp. 170256 ◽  
Author(s):  
Xiaofei Sun ◽  
Xing Fu ◽  
Min Du ◽  
Mei-Jun Zhu

Epithelial cultures are commonly used for studying gut health. However, due to the absence of mesenchymal cells and gut structure, epithelial culture systems including recently developed three-dimensional organoid culture cannot accurately represent in vivo gut development, which requires intense cross-regulation of the epithelial layer with the underlying mesenchymal tissue. In addition, organoid culture is costly. To overcome this, a new culture system was developed using mouse embryonic small intestine. Cultured intestine showed spontaneous peristalsis, indicating the maintenance of the normal gut physiological structure. During 10 days of ex vivo culture, epithelial cells moved along the gut surface and differentiated into different epithelial cell types, including enterocytes, Paneth cells, goblet cells and enteroendocrine cells. We further used the established ex vivo system to examine the role of AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK) on gut epithelial health. Tamoxifen-induced AMPK α 1 knockout vastly impaired epithelial migration and differentiation of the developing ex vivo gut, showing the crucial regulatory function of AMPK α 1 in intestinal health.


Viruses ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (8) ◽  
pp. 1483
Author(s):  
Emily A. Bates ◽  
John R. Counsell ◽  
Sophie Alizert ◽  
Alexander T. Baker ◽  
Natalie Suff ◽  
...  

The human adenovirus phylogenetic tree is split across seven species (A–G). Species D adenoviruses offer potential advantages for gene therapy applications, with low rates of pre-existing immunity detected across screened populations. However, many aspects of the basic virology of species D—such as their cellular tropism, receptor usage, and in vivo biodistribution profile—remain unknown. Here, we have characterized human adenovirus type 49 (HAdV-D49)—a relatively understudied species D member. We report that HAdV-D49 does not appear to use a single pathway to gain cell entry, but appears able to interact with various surface molecules for entry. As such, HAdV-D49 can transduce a broad range of cell types in vitro, with variable engagement of blood coagulation FX. Interestingly, when comparing in vivo biodistribution to adenovirus type 5, HAdV-D49 vectors show reduced liver targeting, whilst maintaining transduction of lung and spleen. Overall, this presents HAdV-D49 as a robust viral vector platform for ex vivo manipulation of human cells, and for in vivo applications where the therapeutic goal is to target the lung or gain access to immune cells in the spleen, whilst avoiding liver interactions, such as intravascular vaccine applications.


Cancers ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (5) ◽  
pp. 1079
Author(s):  
Manuela Zangrossi ◽  
Patrizia Romani ◽  
Probir Chakravarty ◽  
Colin D.H. Ratcliffe ◽  
Steven Hooper ◽  
...  

Late relapse of disseminated cancer cells is a common feature of breast and prostate tumors. Several intrinsic and extrinsic factors have been shown to affect quiescence and reawakening of disseminated dormant cancer cells (DDCCs); however, the signals and processes sustaining the survival of DDCCs in a foreign environment are still poorly understood. We have recently shown that crosstalk with lung epithelial cells promotes survival of DDCCs of estrogen receptor-positive (ER+) breast tumors. By using a lung organotypic system and in vivo dissemination assays, here we show that the TFEB-lysosomal axis is activated in DDCCs and that it is modulated by the pro-survival ephrin receptor EphB6. TFEB lysosomal direct targets are enriched in DDCCs in vivo and correlate with relapse in ER+ breast cancer patients. Direct coculture of DDCCs with alveolar type I-like lung epithelial cells and dissemination in the lung drive lysosomal accumulation and EphB6 induction. EphB6 contributes to survival, TFEB transcriptional activity, and lysosome formation in DDCCs in vitro and in vivo. Furthermore, signaling from EphB6 promotes the proliferation of surrounding lung parenchymal cells in vivo. Our data provide evidence that EphB6 is a key factor in the crosstalk between disseminated dormant cancer cells and the lung parenchyma and that the TFEB-lysosomal pathway plays an important role in the persistence of DDCCs.


2004 ◽  
Vol 167 (6) ◽  
pp. 1113-1122 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sergei A. Kuznetsov ◽  
Mara Riminucci ◽  
Navid Ziran ◽  
Takeo W. Tsutsui ◽  
Alessandro Corsi ◽  
...  

The ontogeny of bone marrow and its stromal compartment, which is generated from skeletal stem/progenitor cells, was investigated in vivo and ex vivo in mice expressing constitutively active parathyroid hormone/parathyroid hormone–related peptide receptor (PTH/PTHrP; caPPR) under the control of the 2.3-kb bone-specific mouse Col1A1 promoter/enhancer. The transgene promoted increased bone formation within prospective marrow space, but delayed the transition from bone to bone marrow during growth, the formation of marrow cavities, and the appearance of stromal cell types such as marrow adipocytes and cells supporting hematopoiesis. This phenotype resolved spontaneously over time, leading to the establishment of marrow containing a greatly reduced number of clonogenic stromal cells. Proliferative osteoprogenitors, but not multipotent skeletal stem cells (mesenchymal stem cells), capable of generating a complete heterotopic bone organ upon in vivo transplantation were assayable in the bone marrow of caPPR mice. Thus, PTH/PTHrP signaling is a major regulator of the ontogeny of the bone marrow and its stromal tissue, and of the skeletal stem cell compartment.


Cells ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 10 (10) ◽  
pp. 2618
Author(s):  
Theresa Maria Holtmann ◽  
Maria Eugenia Inzaugarat ◽  
Jana Knorr ◽  
Lukas Geisler ◽  
Marten Schulz ◽  
...  

Bile acids (BA) as important signaling molecules are considered crucial in development of cholestatic liver injury, but there is limited understanding on the involved cell types and signaling pathways. The aim of this study was to evaluate the inflammatory and fibrotic potential of key BA and the role of distinct liver cell subsets focusing on the NLRP3 inflammasome. C57BL/6 wild-type (WT) and Nlrp3−/− mice were fed with a diet supplemented with cholic (CA), deoxycholic (DCA) or lithocholic acid (LCA) for 7 days. Additionally, primary hepatocytes, Kupffer cells (KC) and hepatic stellate cells (HSC) from WT and Nlrp3−/− mice were stimulated with aforementioned BA ex vivo. LCA feeding led to strong liver damage and activation of NLRP3 inflammasome. Ex vivo KC were the most affected cells by LCA, resulting in a pro-inflammatory phenotype. Liver damage and primary KC activation was both ameliorated in Nlrp3-deficient mice or cells. DCA feeding induced fibrotic alterations. Primary HSC upregulated the NLRP3 inflammasome and early fibrotic markers when stimulated with DCA, but not LCA. Pro-fibrogenic signals in liver and primary HSC were attenuated in Nlrp3−/− mice or cells. The data shows that distinct BA induce NLRP3 inflammasome activation in HSC or KC, promoting fibrosis or inflammation.


2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Juan Jauregui-Lozano ◽  
Kimaya Bakhle ◽  
Vikki M. Weake

AbstractThe chromatin landscape defines cellular identity in multicellular organisms with unique patterns of DNA accessibility and histone marks decorating the genome of each cell type. Thus, profiling the chromatin state of different cell types in an intact organism under disease or physiological conditions can provide insight into how chromatin regulates cell homeostasisin vivo. To overcome the many challenges associated with characterizing chromatin state in specific cell types, we developed an improved approach to isolateDrosophilanuclei tagged with GFP expressed under Gal4/UAS control. Using this protocol, we profiled chromatin accessibility using Omni-ATAC, and examined the distribution of histone marks using ChIP-seq and CUT&Tag in adult photoreceptor neurons. We show that the chromatin landscape of photoreceptors reflects the transcriptional state of these cells, demonstrating the quality and reproducibility of our approach for profiling the transcriptome and epigenome of specific cell types inDrosophila.


2018 ◽  
Vol 98 (1) ◽  
pp. 391-418 ◽  
Author(s):  
Deniz Atasoy ◽  
Scott M. Sternson

Chemogenetic technologies enable selective pharmacological control of specific cell populations. An increasing number of approaches have been developed that modulate different signaling pathways. Selective pharmacological control over G protein-coupled receptor signaling, ion channel conductances, protein association, protein stability, and small molecule targeting allows modulation of cellular processes in distinct cell types. Here, we review these chemogenetic technologies and instances of their applications in complex tissues in vivo and ex vivo.


Nanomedicine ◽  
2022 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jihye Baek ◽  
Kwang Il Lee ◽  
Ho Jong Ra ◽  
Martin K Lotz ◽  
Darryl D D'Lima

Aim: To mimic the ultrastructural morphology of the meniscus with nanofiber scaffolds coupled with controlled growth factor delivery to modulate cellular performance for tissue engineering of menisci. Methods: The authors functionalized collagen nanofibers by conjugating heparin to the following growth factors for sustained release: PDGF-BB, TGF-β1 and CTGF. Results: Incorporating growth factors increased human meniscal and synovial cell viability, proliferation and infiltration in vitro, ex vivo and in vivo; upregulated key genes involved in meniscal extracellular matrix synthesis; and enhanced generation of meniscus-like tissue. Conclusion: The authors' results indicate that functionalizing collagen nanofibers can create a cell-favorable micro- and nanoenvironment and can serve as a system for sustained release of bioactive factors.


Development ◽  
1986 ◽  
Vol 96 (1) ◽  
pp. 229-243
Author(s):  
E. Jane Ormerod ◽  
Philip S. Rudland

Rat mammary ducts, free of buds, can alone regenerate complete mammary trees when transplanted into the interscapular fat pads of syngeneic host rats. All the main mammary cell types are identified within such outgrowths. Epithelial cells, which show the presence of milk fat globule membrane antigens and microvilli on their luminal surfaces, line the ducts. Basal cells surrounding the ducts show characteristic features of myoepithelial cells: immunoreactive actin and keratin within the cytoplasm, myofilaments, pinocytotic vesicles and hemidesmosomal attachments to the basement membrane. Cells within the end buds and lateral buds, however, show few if any cytoplasmic myofilaments and are relatively undifferentiated in appearance. Intermediate morphologies between these cells and myoepithelial cells are seen nearer the ducts. In this respect they exactly resemble the cap cells found in terminal end buds (TEBs) of normal mammary glands. Occasional epithelial cells within alveolar buds show the presence of immunoreactive casein, which is a product of secretory alveolar cells in the normal rat mammary gland. Dissected terminal end buds can regenerate similar ductal outgrowths. Thus, ductal tissue alone can generate all the major mammary cell types seen in the normal gland, including the cap cells.


2001 ◽  
Vol 280 (3) ◽  
pp. L390-L399 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jane K. Mellott ◽  
Harry S. Nick ◽  
Michael F. Waters ◽  
Timothy R. Billiar ◽  
David A. Geller ◽  
...  

Transcription of the human inducible nitric oxide synthase ( iNOS) gene is regulated by inflammatory cytokines in a tissue-specific manner. To determine whether differences in cytokine-induced mRNA levels between pulmonary epithelial cells (A549) and hepatic biliary epithelial cells (AKN-1) result from different protein or DNA regulatory mechanisms, we identified cytokine-induced changes in DNase I-hypersensitive (HS) sites in 13 kb of the iNOS 5′-flanking region. Data showed both constitutive and inducible HS sites in an overlapping yet cell type-specific pattern. Using in vivo footprinting and ligation-mediated PCR to detect potential DNA or protein interactions, we examined one promoter region near −5 kb containing both constitutive and cytokine-induced HS sites. In both cell types, three in vivo footprints were present in both control and cytokine-treated cells, and each mapped within a constitutive HS site. The remaining footprint appeared only in response to cytokine treatment and mapped to an inducible HS site. These studies, performed on chromatin in situ, identify a portion of the molecular mechanisms regulating transcription of the human iNOS gene in both lung- and liver-derived epithelial cells.


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