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Gut microbiota regulates lacteal integrity by inducing VEGF‐C in intestinal villus macrophages
Author(s) -
Suh Sang Heon,
Choe Kibaek,
Hong Seon Pyo,
Jeong Seunghwan,
Mäkinen Taija,
Kim Kwang Soon,
Alitalo Kari,
Surh Charles D,
Koh Gou Young,
Song JooHye
Publication year - 2019
Publication title -
embo reports
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 4.584
H-Index - 184
eISSN - 1469-3178
pISSN - 1469-221X
DOI - 10.15252/embr.201846927
Subject(s) - intestinal villus , gut flora , lymphatic system , biology , microbiology and biotechnology , lymphangiogenesis , immunology , regulator , small intestine , endocrinology , genetics , biochemistry , cancer , gene , metastasis
A lacteal is a blunt‐ended, long, tube‐like lymphatic vessel located in the center of each intestinal villus that provides a unique route for drainage of absorbed lipids from the small intestine. However, key regulators for maintaining lacteal integrity are poorly understood. Here, we explore whether and how the gut microbiota regulates lacteal integrity. Germ depletion by antibiotic treatment triggers lacteal regression during adulthood and delays lacteal maturation during the postnatal period. In accordance with compromised lipid absorption, the button‐like junction between lymphatic endothelial cells, which is ultrastructurally open to permit free entry of dietary lipids into lacteals, is significantly reduced in lacteals of germ‐depleted mice. Lacteal defects are also found in germ‐free mice, but conventionalization of germ‐free mice leads to normalization of lacteals. Mechanistically, VEGF ‐C secreted from villus macrophages upon MyD88‐dependent recognition of microbes and their products is a main factor in lacteal integrity. Collectively, we conclude that the gut microbiota is a crucial regulator for lacteal integrity by endowing its unique microenvironment and regulating villus macrophages in small intestine.