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Wang Z, Xie N, Liang X, Shu Q, Hong Y, Shi H, Wang J, Fan D, Liu N, Xu F. Gut mechanoimmunology: Shaping immune response through physical cues. Phys Life Rev 2024; 50:13-26. [PMID: 38821019 DOI: 10.1016/j.plrev.2024.05.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/09/2024] [Accepted: 05/13/2024] [Indexed: 06/02/2024]
Abstract
The gut immune system embodies a complex interplay between the gut mucosal barrier, the host's immune cells, and gut microbiota. These components exist within a dynamic environment characterized by a variety of physical cues, e.g., compression, tension, shear stress, stiffness, and viscoelasticity. The physical cues can be modified under specific pathological conditions. Given their dynamic nature, comprehending the specific effects of these physical cues on the gut immune system is critical for pathological and therapeutic studies of intestinal immune-related diseases. This review aims to discuss how physical cues influence gut immunology by affecting the gut mucosal barrier, host immune cells, and gut microbiota, defining this concept as gut mechanoimmunology. This review seeks to highlight that an enhanced understanding of gut mechanoimmunology carries therapeutic implications, not only for intestinal diseases but also for extraintestinal diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ziwei Wang
- Department of Gastroenterology, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an, China; Shaanxi Key Laboratory of Gastrointestinal Motility Disorders, Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an, China; The Key Laboratory of Biomedical Information Engineering of Ministry of Education, School of Life Science and Technology, Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an, China; Bioinspired Engineering and Biomechanics Center (BEBC), Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an, China
| | - Ning Xie
- Department of Gastroenterology, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an, China; Shaanxi Key Laboratory of Gastrointestinal Motility Disorders, Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an, China; The Key Laboratory of Biomedical Information Engineering of Ministry of Education, School of Life Science and Technology, Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an, China; Bioinspired Engineering and Biomechanics Center (BEBC), Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an, China
| | - Xiru Liang
- Department of Gastroenterology, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an, China; Shaanxi Key Laboratory of Gastrointestinal Motility Disorders, Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an, China
| | - Qiuai Shu
- Department of Gastroenterology, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an, China; Shaanxi Key Laboratory of Gastrointestinal Motility Disorders, Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an, China
| | - Yijie Hong
- Department of Gastroenterology, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an, China; Shaanxi Key Laboratory of Gastrointestinal Motility Disorders, Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an, China
| | - Haitao Shi
- Department of Gastroenterology, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an, China; Shaanxi Key Laboratory of Gastrointestinal Motility Disorders, Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an, China
| | - Jinhai Wang
- Department of Gastroenterology, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an, China; Shaanxi Key Laboratory of Gastrointestinal Motility Disorders, Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an, China
| | - Daiming Fan
- State Key Laboratory of Holistic Integrative Management of Gastrointestinal Cancers and National Clinical Research Center for Digestive Diseases, Xijing Hospital of Digestive Diseases, Fourth Military Medical University, Xi'an, China.
| | - Na Liu
- Department of Gastroenterology, Hainan General Hospital (Hainan Affiliated Hospital of Hainan Medical University), Haikou, China.
| | - Feng Xu
- The Key Laboratory of Biomedical Information Engineering of Ministry of Education, School of Life Science and Technology, Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an, China; Bioinspired Engineering and Biomechanics Center (BEBC), Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an, China.
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Yan Z, Yeo J. Competing mechanisms in bacterial invasion of human colon mucus probed with agent-based modeling. Biophys J 2024; 123:1838-1845. [PMID: 38824388 DOI: 10.1016/j.bpj.2024.05.028] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/12/2024] [Revised: 05/28/2024] [Accepted: 05/28/2024] [Indexed: 06/03/2024] Open
Abstract
The gastrointestinal tract is inhabited by a vast community of microorganisms, termed the gut microbiota. Large colonies can pose a health threat, but the gastrointestinal mucus system protects epithelial cells from microbiota invasion. The human colon features a bilayer of mucus lining. Due to imbalances in intestinal homeostasis, bacteria may successfully penetrate the inner mucus layer, which can lead to severe gut diseases. However, it is hard to tease apart the competing mechanisms that lead to this penetration. To probe the conditions that permit bacteria penetration into the inner mucus layer, we develop an agent-based model consisting of bacteria and an inner mucus layer subject to a constant flux of nutrient fields feeding the bacteria. We find that there are three important variables that determine bacterial invasion: the bacterial reproduction rate, the contact energy between bacteria and mucus, and the rate of bacteria degrading the mucus. Under healthy conditions, all bacteria are naturally eliminated by the constant removal of mucus. In diseased states, imbalances between the rates of bacterial degradation and mucus secretion lead to bacterial invasion at certain junctures. We conduct uncertainty quantification and sensitivity analysis to compare the relative impact between these parameters. The contact energy has the strongest influence on bacterial penetration, which, in combination with bacterial degradation rate and growth rate, greatly accelerates bacterial invasion of the human gut mucus lining. Our findings will serve as predictive indicators for the etiology of intestinal diseases and highlight important considerations when developing gut therapeutics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhongyu Yan
- Sibley School of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering, Cornell University, Ithaca, New York
| | - Jingjie Yeo
- Sibley School of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering, Cornell University, Ithaca, New York.
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McCoy R, Oldroyd S, Yang W, Wang K, Hoven D, Bulmer D, Zilbauer M, Owens RM. In Vitro Models for Investigating Intestinal Host-Pathogen Interactions. ADVANCED SCIENCE (WEINHEIM, BADEN-WURTTEMBERG, GERMANY) 2024; 11:e2306727. [PMID: 38155358 PMCID: PMC10885678 DOI: 10.1002/advs.202306727] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/15/2023] [Revised: 12/01/2023] [Indexed: 12/30/2023]
Abstract
Infectious diseases are increasingly recognized as a major threat worldwide due to the rise of antimicrobial resistance and the emergence of novel pathogens. In vitro models that can adequately mimic in vivo gastrointestinal physiology are in high demand to elucidate mechanisms behind pathogen infectivity, and to aid the design of effective preventive and therapeutic interventions. There exists a trade-off between simple and high throughput models and those that are more complex and physiologically relevant. The complexity of the model used shall be guided by the biological question to be addressed. This review provides an overview of the structure and function of the intestine and the models that are developed to emulate this. Conventional models are discussed in addition to emerging models which employ engineering principles to equip them with necessary advanced monitoring capabilities for intestinal host-pathogen interrogation. Limitations of current models and future perspectives on the field are presented.
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Affiliation(s)
- Reece McCoy
- Department of Chemical Engineering and BiotechnologyUniversity of CambridgeCambridgeCB3 0ASUK
| | - Sophie Oldroyd
- Department of Chemical Engineering and BiotechnologyUniversity of CambridgeCambridgeCB3 0ASUK
| | - Woojin Yang
- Department of Chemical Engineering and BiotechnologyUniversity of CambridgeCambridgeCB3 0ASUK
- Wellcome‐MRC Cambridge Stem Cell InstituteUniversity of CambridgeCambridgeCB2 0AWUK
| | - Kaixin Wang
- Department of Chemical Engineering and BiotechnologyUniversity of CambridgeCambridgeCB3 0ASUK
| | - Darius Hoven
- Department of Chemical Engineering and BiotechnologyUniversity of CambridgeCambridgeCB3 0ASUK
| | - David Bulmer
- Department of PharmacologyUniversity of CambridgeCambridgeCB2 1PDUK
| | - Matthias Zilbauer
- Wellcome‐MRC Cambridge Stem Cell InstituteUniversity of CambridgeCambridgeCB2 0AWUK
| | - Róisín M. Owens
- Department of Chemical Engineering and BiotechnologyUniversity of CambridgeCambridgeCB3 0ASUK
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Sardelli L, Campanile M, Boeri L, Donnaloja F, Fanizza F, Perottoni S, Petrini P, Albani D, Giordano C. A novel on-a-chip system with a 3D-bioinspired gut mucus suitable to investigate bacterial endotoxins dynamics. Mater Today Bio 2024; 24:100898. [PMID: 38204482 PMCID: PMC10776420 DOI: 10.1016/j.mtbio.2023.100898] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/02/2023] [Revised: 11/20/2023] [Accepted: 12/01/2023] [Indexed: 01/12/2024] Open
Abstract
The possible pathogenic impact of pro-inflammatory molecules produced by the gut microbiota is one of the hypotheses considered at the basis of the biomolecular dialogue governing the microbiota-gut-brain axis. Among these molecules, lipopolysaccharides (LPS) produced by Gram-negative gut microbiota strains may have a potential key role due to their toxic effects in both the gut and the brain. In this work, we engineered a new dynamic fluidic system, the MINERVA device (MI-device), with the potential to advance the current knowledge of the biological mechanisms regulating the microbiota-gut molecular crosstalk. The MI-device supported the growth of bacteria that are part of the intestinal microbiota under dynamic conditions within a 3D moving mucus model, with features comparable to the physiological conditions (storage modulus of 80 ± 19 Pa, network mesh size of 41 ± 3 nm), without affecting their viability (∼ 109 bacteria/mL). The integration of a fluidically optimized and user-friendly design with a bioinspired microenvironment enabled the sterile extraction and quantification of the LPS produced within the mucus by bacteria (from 423 ± 34 ng/mL to 1785 ± 91 ng/mL). Compatibility with commercially available Transwell-like inserts allows the user to precisely control the transport phenomena that occur between the two chambers by selecting the pore density of the insert membrane without changing the design of the system. The MI-device is able to provide the flow of sterile medium enriched with LPS directly produced by bacteria, opening up the possibility of studying the effects of bacteria-derived molecules on cells in depth, as well as the assessment and characterization of their effects in a physiological or pathological scenario.
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Affiliation(s)
- L. Sardelli
- Department of Chemistry, Materials and Chemical Engineering ‘Giulio Natta,’ Politecnico di Milano, Milan, Italy
| | - M. Campanile
- Department of Chemistry, Materials and Chemical Engineering ‘Giulio Natta,’ Politecnico di Milano, Milan, Italy
| | - L. Boeri
- Department of Chemistry, Materials and Chemical Engineering ‘Giulio Natta,’ Politecnico di Milano, Milan, Italy
| | - F. Donnaloja
- Department of Chemistry, Materials and Chemical Engineering ‘Giulio Natta,’ Politecnico di Milano, Milan, Italy
| | - F. Fanizza
- Department of Chemistry, Materials and Chemical Engineering ‘Giulio Natta,’ Politecnico di Milano, Milan, Italy
| | - S. Perottoni
- Department of Chemistry, Materials and Chemical Engineering ‘Giulio Natta,’ Politecnico di Milano, Milan, Italy
| | - P. Petrini
- Department of Chemistry, Materials and Chemical Engineering ‘Giulio Natta,’ Politecnico di Milano, Milan, Italy
| | - D. Albani
- Department of Neuroscience, Istituto di Ricerche Farmacologiche Mario Negri IRCCS, Milan, Italy
| | - C. Giordano
- Department of Chemistry, Materials and Chemical Engineering ‘Giulio Natta,’ Politecnico di Milano, Milan, Italy
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Berberolli S, Wu M, Goycoolea FM. The Rosetta Stone of interactions of mucosa and associated bacteria in the gastrointestinal tract. Curr Opin Gastroenterol 2024; 40:1-6. [PMID: 37983559 PMCID: PMC10715687 DOI: 10.1097/mog.0000000000000992] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/22/2023]
Abstract
PURPOSE OF REVIEW Gut microbiota-mucosa-epithelial cells co-exist in an intricate three-way relationship that underpins gut homeostasis, and ultimately influences health and disease conditions. The O-glycans of mucin glycoproteins have been uncovered as a centrepiece of this system, although understanding the phenomena at play at the molecular level has been challenging and subject to significant traction over the last years. The purpose of this review is to discuss the recent advances in the phenomena that mediate microbiota and mucus multidirectional interactions in the human gut. RECENT FINDINGS The mucus biosynthesis and degradation by both commensal and pathogenic bacteria is under tight regulation and involves hundreds of carbohydrate-active enzymes (CAZy) and transporters. The fucosylation of O-glycans from mucin-2 seems to dictate binding by pathogenic species and to influence their virulence. Less clear is the influence of O-glycans in quorum sensing and biofilm formation. We have reviewed the advances in the in vitro models available to recreate the phenomena that capture the physiological context of the intestinal environment, emphasising models that include mucus and other aspects relevant to the physiological context. SUMMARY The recent findings highlight the importance of merging advances in analytical (glycans analysis) and omics techniques along with original robust in vitro models that enable to deconstruct part of the high complexity of the living gut and expand our understanding of the microbes-mucosa relationships and their significance in health and disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Serena Berberolli
- School of Food Science and Nutrition, University of Leeds. Leeds, LS6 4RG, United Kingdom
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Donahue R, Sahoo JK, Rudolph S, Chen Y, Kaplan DL. Mucosa-Mimetic Materials for the Study of Intestinal Homeostasis and Disease. Adv Healthc Mater 2023; 12:e2300301. [PMID: 37329337 DOI: 10.1002/adhm.202300301] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/26/2023] [Revised: 06/11/2023] [Indexed: 06/19/2023]
Abstract
Mucus is a viscoelastic hydrogel that lines and protects the epithelial surfaces of the body that houses commensal microbiota and functions in host defense against pathogen invasion. As a first-line physical and biochemical barrier, intestinal mucus is involved in immune surveillance and spatial organization of the microbiome, while dysfunction of the gut mucus barrier is implicated in several diseases. Mucus can be collected from a variety of mammalian sources for study, however, established methods are challenging in terms of scale and efficiency, as well as with regard to rheological similarity to native human mucus. Therefore, there is a need for mucus-mimetic hydrogels that more accurately reflect the physical and chemical profile of the in vivo human epithelial environment to enable the investigation of the role of mucus in human disease and interactions with the intestinal microbiome. This review will evaluate the material properties of synthetic mucus mimics to date designed to address the above need, with a focus toward an improved understanding of the biochemical and immunological functions of these biopolymers related to utility for research and therapeutic applications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rebecca Donahue
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Tufts University, 4 Colby St., Medford, MA, 02155, USA
| | - Jugal Kishore Sahoo
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Tufts University, 4 Colby St., Medford, MA, 02155, USA
| | - Sara Rudolph
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Tufts University, 4 Colby St., Medford, MA, 02155, USA
| | - Ying Chen
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Tufts University, 4 Colby St., Medford, MA, 02155, USA
| | - David L Kaplan
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Tufts University, 4 Colby St., Medford, MA, 02155, USA
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