Biology subjects

Dietrich, G.

Publications and source records attributed to Dietrich, G..

5 recordsLinked to original sources

bioRxiv2025

Colitis-primed circulating T cells drive small intestinal barrier function through Nod2, microbiota and myosin light chain kinase-dependent mechanisms

Inflammatory bowel diseases (IBD), including Crohns disease (CD) and ulcerative colitis (UC), are characterized by intestinal inflammation and barrier dysfunction. While disruption of the intestinal barrier contributes to the pathogenesis of IBD, yet how colonic inflammation alters small intestinal homeostasis remains poorly defined. Here, we demonstrate that three models of colitis, including 2,4,6-Trinitrobenzenesulfonic acid (TNBS), Dextran Sulfate Sodium (DSS), and oxazolone, induce paracellular barrier dysfunction in the small intestine, with model-specific immune profiles. Th1/Th17-skewed responses (TNBS and DSS) were associated with microbiota-dependent upregulation of myosin light chain kinase (MLCK), ROR{gamma}t CD4 T cell expansion, and elevated expression of Nod2, which was not observed under Th2-dominant (oxazolone) conditions. Inhibition of MLCK restored barrier function and suppressed inflammation in a CD4 T cell-dependent manner. Using Nod2-deficient and 2939insC mutant mice, we showed Nod2 as a critical regulator of small intestinal permeability during colitis. Bone marrow chimeras revealed compartment-specific roles of Nod2, with non-hematopoietic Nod2 sufficient to preserve epithelial integrity, while hematopoietic Nod2 expression is required to limit cytokine-mediated inflammation. Moreover, MLCK inhibition ameliorated intestinal lesions only in mice with Nod2 deficiency in the hematopoietic compartment. Finally, microbiota transfer experiments ruled out a causal role for dysbiosis in driving small intestinal permeability defects in Nod2-deficient mice. These findings uncover a Nod2-MLCK-CD4 T cell axis linking colonic inflammation to small intestinal barrier dysfunction and highlight distinct immune-epithelial-microbial mechanisms shaping intestinal homeostasis during colitis. Graphical AbstractCirculating ROR{gamma}t Foxp3- CD4 T cells from mice with TNBS- or DSS-induced colitis increase small intestinal permeability by promoting cytokine secretion that enhances MLCK activity. This effect is attenuated by Nod2 activation. Specifically, Nod2 expression in hematopoietic cells reduces cytokine secretion and permeability, while activation of Nod2 in non-hematopoietic cells alone is sufficient to prevent increased permeability by directly regulating MLCK activity, independently of cytokine influence. Moreover, the absence of Nod2 is associated with inflammatory lesions in the small intestine of TNBS-treated mice.

immunology↗

bioRxiv2024

Toxoplasma gondii chronic infection decreases visceral nociception through peripheral opioid receptor signaling

By eliciting immune activation in the digestive tract, intestinal pathogens may perturb gut homeostasis. Some gastrointestinal infections can indeed increase the risk of developing post-infectious irritable bowel syndrome (PI-IBS). Intriguingly, the prevalent foodborne parasite Toxoplasma gondii has not been linked to the development of PI-IBS and the impact of this infection on colon homeostasis remains ill-defined. We show in a mouse model that latent T. gondii decreases visceral nociceptive responses in an opioid signaling-dependent manner. Despite the accumulation of Th1 and cytotoxic T cells in the colon of latently infected mice, the selective invalidation of enkephalin gene in T cells ruled out the involvement of T cell-derived enkephalins in hypoalgesia. These findings provide clues about how this widespread infection durably shapes the gut immune landscape and modifies intestinal physiological parameters. They suggest that in contrast to other gut microbes, T. gondii infection could be negatively associated with abdominal pain. TeaserLatent toxoplasmosis decreases gut nociception in the mouse, suggesting a negative association with abdominal pain in humans

physiology↗

bioRxiv2023

Enkephalin-mediated modulation of basal somatic sensitivity by regulatory T cells in mice

CD4+CD25+Foxp3+ regulatory T cells (Treg) have been implicated in pain modulation in various inflammatory conditions. However, whether Treg cells hamper pain at steady state and by which mechanism is still unclear. From a meta-analysis of the transcriptomes of murine Treg and conventional T cells (Tconv), we observe that the proenkephalin gene (Penk), encoding the precursor of analgesic opioid peptides, ranks among the top 25 genes most enriched in Treg cells. We then present various evidence suggesting that Penk is regulated in part by members of the TNF receptor family and the transcription factor Batf. Using mice in which the promoter activity of Penk can be tracked with a fluorescent reporter, we also show that Penk expression is mostly detected in Treg and activated Tconv in non-inflammatory conditions in the colon and skin. Functionally, Treg cells proficient or deficient for Penk suppress equally well the proliferation of effector T cells in vitro and autoimmune colitis in vivo. In contrast, inducible ablation of Penk in Treg leads to heat hyperalgesia in both male and female mice. Overall, our results indicate that Treg might play a key role at modulating basal somatic sensitivity in mice through the production of analgesic opioid peptides.

immunology↗

bioRxiv2021

T helper cell-licensed mast cells promote inflammatory Th17 cells

CD4+ T helper cells (Th) infiltrate sites of inflammation and orchestrate the immune response by instructing local leukocytes. Mast cells (MCs) are tissue sentinel cells particularly abundant in skin and mucosa. Here, we analyzed the interplay between human MCs and Th cells and, through the application of RNAseq and functional assays, showed that Th cells induced a specific transcriptomic program in helped MCs (named here MCTH) driving them toward an inflammatory phenotype. The gene signature of MCTH indicated that MCs helped by Th cell acquired in turn the capacity to regulate effector T cell response through wide-range of soluble and membrane ligands. Accordingly, we showed that MCTH promoted Th17 cells and notably an inflammatory subset of Th17, producing both IFN-{gamma} and GM-CSF, through a PGE2 and IL-1{beta} axis. Our findings demonstrate that activated effector/memory CD4+ T cells activate and instruct resting MCs toward a specific differentiated pro-inflammatory phenotype endowed with the capacity to speak back to effector T cells and to mold their functions.

immunology↗

bioRxiv2019

Nod2 protects remote small intestinal sites in case of colonic inflammation.

NOD2 mutations are key risk factors for Crohns disease (CD). NOD2 contributes to intestinal homeostasis by regulating innate and adaptive immunity together with intestinal epithelial function. However, the roles of NOD2 during gut inflammation is not known. We initially observed that NOD2 expression was increased in epithelial cells remote from inflamed areas in CD patients. To explore this finding, Nod2 mRNA expression, inflammation and gut permeability were examined in the small bowel of wild-type (WT), Nod2 knockout and Nod2 mutant mice after rectal instillation of 2,4,6-trinitrobenzene sulfonic acid (TNBS). In WT mice, Nod2 upregulation remote to rectal injury was associated with pro-inflammatory cytokine expression, recirculating CD4+ T-cells, increased paracellular permeability and myosin like chain kinase activity. Nod2 knockout or mutation led to duodenitis and ileitis demonstrating the remote protective role of Nod2. Bone morrow stem cell (BMSC) transplantations indicated that the small intestinal inflammation was due to NOD2 loss in both hematopoietic and non-hematopoietic compartments. As a whole, WT but not mutant NOD2 prevents disease extension at sites remote from the initial intestinal injury.

immunology↗