Novel in Vivo Models for Cell-Type Specific MyD88 Signaling in the Intestine

Grants and Contracts Details

Description

Innate and acquired immune responses in the intestine must promote homeostasis in the presence of large numbers of commensal microorganisms, while maintaining the capacity to defend the body against invasive pathogens. The adult human intestinal tract is inhabited by 100 trillion microorganisms, 10 times more than the number of human cells in the entire body. Commensal bacteria provide multiple benefits to the host, including processing of essential nutrients, regulation of energy balance, protection against pathogens and maintenance of epithelial integrity. However, inappropriate immune responses to colonic bacteria can lead to chronic inflammatory bowel disease and life-threatening colitis. Host cells recognize microorganisms through pattern recognition molecules including Toll-like receptors (TLRs), which bind microbial cell wall constituents, nucleic acids and other byproducts. MyD88 is a cytoplasmic adaptor protein that transduces signals emanating from most TLRs, as well as members of the IL-1R family. Recent studies have demonstrated that mice genetically deficient in MyD88 expression are more sensitive to experimental colitis than are wild-type mice, suggesting a key role for TLR and/or IL-1R signaling in regulation of intestinal inflammation. Our preliminary data demonstrate that MyD88-deficient mice have severely depressed expression of the polymeric immunoglobulin receptor (plgR), a key anti-inflammatory molecule that mediates epithelial transport of protective IgA antibodies. Recent work by others has demonstrated that plgR-deficient mice are, like MyD88-deficient mice, particularly sensitive to chemically-induced colitis. The goal of the proposed research is to generate novel mouse models for studying epithelial-specific MyD88 signaling within the intact intestine. Specifically, we will test the hypothesis that expression of MyD88 by epithelial cells is crucial for regulation of plgR gene expression and protection against experimental colitis. We propose to generate novel chimeric and transgenic mouse models in which MyD88 expression is restricted to epithelial cells or bone marrow-derived cells. We will test the clinical and molecular responses of these mice to inflammatory stimuli in a model of experimental colitis. These experiments should increase our knowledge of epithelial-specific MyD88 signaling, as well as cross-talk between epithelial and immune cells, which is key to the identification of normal and dysregulated responses to colonic bacteria.
StatusFinished
Effective start/end date9/30/078/31/10

Funding

  • National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases: $398,700.00

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