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Nwako JG, McCauley HA. Enteroendocrine cells regulate intestinal homeostasis and epithelial function. Mol Cell Endocrinol 2024; 593:112339. [PMID: 39111616 DOI: 10.1016/j.mce.2024.112339] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/29/2024] [Revised: 07/23/2024] [Accepted: 08/04/2024] [Indexed: 08/11/2024]
Abstract
Enteroendocrine cells (EECs) are well-known for their systemic hormonal effects, especially in the regulation of appetite and glycemia. Much less is known about how the products made by EECs regulate their local environment within the intestine. Here, we focus on paracrine interactions between EECs and other intestinal cells as they regulate three essential aspects of intestinal homeostasis and physiology: 1) intestinal stem cell function and proliferation; 2) nutrient absorption; and 3) mucosal barrier function. We also discuss the ability of EECs to express multiple hormones, describe in vitro and in vivo models to study EECs, and consider how EECs are altered in GI disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jennifer G Nwako
- Department of Cell Biology and Physiology, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill School of Medicine, 111 Mason Farm Road, Molecular Biology Research Building 5341C, Chapel Hill, NC 27599, USA
| | - Heather A McCauley
- Department of Cell Biology and Physiology, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill School of Medicine, 111 Mason Farm Road, Molecular Biology Research Building 5341C, Chapel Hill, NC 27599, USA.
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2
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Barton JR, Londregan AK, Alexander TD, Entezari AA, Covarrubias M, Waldman SA. Enteroendocrine cell regulation of the gut-brain axis. Front Neurosci 2023; 17:1272955. [PMID: 38027512 PMCID: PMC10662325 DOI: 10.3389/fnins.2023.1272955] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/04/2023] [Accepted: 10/16/2023] [Indexed: 12/01/2023] Open
Abstract
Enteroendocrine cells (EECs) are an essential interface between the gut and brain that communicate signals about nutrients, pain, and even information from our microbiome. EECs are hormone-producing cells expressed throughout the gastrointestinal epithelium and have been leveraged by pharmaceuticals like semaglutide (Ozempic, Wegovy), terzepatide (Mounjaro), and retatrutide (Phase 2) for diabetes and weight control, and linaclotide (Linzess) to treat irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) and visceral pain. This review focuses on role of intestinal EECs to communicate signals from the gut lumen to the brain. Canonically, EECs communicate information about the intestinal environment through a variety of hormones, dividing EECs into separate classes based on the hormone each cell type secretes. Recent studies have revealed more diverse hormone profiles and communication modalities for EECs including direct synaptic communication with peripheral neurons. EECs known as neuropod cells rapidly relay signals from gut to brain via a direct communication with vagal and primary sensory neurons. Further, this review discusses the complex information processing machinery within EECs, including receptors that transduce intraluminal signals and the ion channel complement that govern initiation and propagation of these signals. Deeper understanding of EEC physiology is necessary to safely treat devastating and pervasive conditions like irritable bowel syndrome and obesity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Joshua R. Barton
- Department of Pharmacology, Physiology, and Cancer Biology, Thomas Jefferson University, Philadelphia, PA, United States
| | - Annie K. Londregan
- Department of Pharmacology, Physiology, and Cancer Biology, Thomas Jefferson University, Philadelphia, PA, United States
| | - Tyler D. Alexander
- Department of Neurosciences, Thomas Jefferson University, Philadelphia, PA, United States
| | - Ariana A. Entezari
- Department of Pharmacology, Physiology, and Cancer Biology, Thomas Jefferson University, Philadelphia, PA, United States
| | - Manuel Covarrubias
- Department of Neurosciences, Thomas Jefferson University, Philadelphia, PA, United States
| | - Scott A. Waldman
- Department of Pharmacology, Physiology, and Cancer Biology, Thomas Jefferson University, Philadelphia, PA, United States
- Sidney Kimmel Cancer Center, Thomas Jefferson University, Philadelphia, PA, United States
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3
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The genetics of monogenic intestinal epithelial disorders. Hum Genet 2022; 142:613-654. [PMID: 36422736 PMCID: PMC10182130 DOI: 10.1007/s00439-022-02501-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/28/2022] [Accepted: 10/23/2022] [Indexed: 11/27/2022]
Abstract
Monogenic intestinal epithelial disorders, also known as congenital diarrheas and enteropathies (CoDEs), are a group of rare diseases that result from mutations in genes that primarily affect intestinal epithelial cell function. Patients with CoDE disorders generally present with infantile-onset diarrhea and poor growth, and often require intensive fluid and nutritional management. CoDE disorders can be classified into several categories that relate to broad areas of epithelial function, structure, and development. The advent of accessible and low-cost genetic sequencing has accelerated discovery in the field with over 45 different genes now associated with CoDE disorders. Despite this increasing knowledge in the causal genetics of disease, the underlying cellular pathophysiology remains incompletely understood for many disorders. Consequently, clinical management options for CoDE disorders are currently limited and there is an urgent need for new and disorder-specific therapies. In this review, we provide a general overview of CoDE disorders, including a historical perspective of the field and relationship to other monogenic disorders of the intestine. We describe the genetics, clinical presentation, and known pathophysiology for specific disorders. Lastly, we describe the major challenges relating to CoDE disorders, briefly outline key areas that need further study, and provide a perspective on the future genetic and therapeutic landscape.
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Novel Homozygous Inactivating Mutation in the PCSK1 Gene in an Infant with Congenital Malabsorptive Diarrhea. Genes (Basel) 2021; 12:genes12050710. [PMID: 34068683 PMCID: PMC8151971 DOI: 10.3390/genes12050710] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/07/2021] [Revised: 05/02/2021] [Accepted: 05/07/2021] [Indexed: 01/03/2023] Open
Abstract
Proprotein convertase 1/3 (PC1/3), encoded by the PCSK1 gene, is expressed in neuronal and (entero)endocrine cell types, where it cleaves and hence activates a number of protein precursors that play a key role in energy homeostasis. Loss-of-function mutations in PCSK1 cause a recessive complex endocrinopathy characterized by malabsorptive diarrhea and early-onset obesity. Despite the fact that neonatal malabsorptive diarrhea is observed in all patients, it has remained understudied. The aim of this study was to investigate the enteroendocrine pathologies in a male patient with congenital PCSK1 deficiency carrying the novel homozygous c.1034A>C (p.E345A) mutation. This patient developed malabsorptive diarrhea and metabolic acidosis within the first week of life, but rapid weight gain was observed after total parenteral nutrition, and he displayed high proinsulin levels and low adrenocorticotropin. In vitro analysis showed that the p.E345A mutation in PC1/3 resulted in a (near) normal autocatalytic proPC1/3 processing and only partially impaired PC1/3 secretion, but the processing of a substrate in trans was completely blocked. Immunohistochemical staining did not reveal changes in the proGIP/GIP and proglucagon/GLP-1 ratio in colonic tissue. Hence, we report a novel PCSK1 deficient patient who, despite neonatal malabsorptive diarrhea, showed a normal morphology in the small intestine.
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Russo P. Updates in Pediatric Congenital Enteropathies: Differential Diagnosis, Testing, and Genetics. Surg Pathol Clin 2020; 13:581-600. [PMID: 33183722 DOI: 10.1016/j.path.2020.08.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/23/2022]
Abstract
Congenital enteropathies comprise a heterogeneous group of disorders typically resulting in severe diarrhea and intestinal failure. Recent advances in and more widespread application of genetic testing have allowed more accurate diagnosis of these entities as well as identification of new disorders, provided a deeper understanding of intestinal pathophysiology through genotype-phenotype correlations, and permitted the exploration of more specific therapies to diseases that have heretofore been resistant to conventional treatments. The therapeutic armamentarium for these disorders now includes intestinal and hematopoietic stem cell transplantation, specific targeted therapy, such as the use of interleukin-1 receptor antagonists and, in some cases, gene therapy. These considerations are particularly applicable to the group of disorders identified as "very-early onset inflammatory bowel disease" (VEO-IBD), for which a veritable explosion of knowledge has occurred in the last decade. The pathologist plays a crucial role in assisting in the diagnosis of these entities and in ruling out other disorders that enter into the differential diagnosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pierre Russo
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Division of Anatomic Pathology, The University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine, The Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, 324 South 34th Street, Main Building, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA.
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Abstract
Congenital diarrheal disorders are heterogeneous conditions characterized by diarrhea with onset in the first years of life. They range from simple temporary conditions, such as cow's milk protein intolerance to irreversible complications, such as microvillous inclusion disease with significant morbidity and mortality. Advances in genomic medicine have improved our understanding of these disorders, leading to an ever-increasing list of identified causative genes. The diagnostic approach to these conditions consists of establishing the presence of diarrhea by detailed review of the history, followed by characterizing the composition of the diarrhea, the response to fasting, and with further specialized testing.
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Affiliation(s)
- Abdul Aziz Elkadri
- Medical College of Wisconsin, 8701 Watertown Plank Road, Milwaukee, WI, USA.
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Terry NA, Ngaba LV, Wilkins BJ, Pi D, Gheewala N, Kaestner KH. Lipid malabsorption from altered hormonal signaling changes early gut microbial responses. Am J Physiol Gastrointest Liver Physiol 2018; 315:G580-G591. [PMID: 29953253 PMCID: PMC6230693 DOI: 10.1152/ajpgi.00135.2018] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/19/2018] [Revised: 06/11/2018] [Accepted: 06/11/2018] [Indexed: 01/31/2023]
Abstract
Infants with congenital diarrheal disorders caused by enteroendocrine cell dysgenesis, or the loss of intestinal endocrine cells, causes severe malabsorptive diarrhea, though the mechanism is not fully understood. The transcription factor "aristaless-related homeobox" (Arx) is specifically expressed in intestinal endocrine cells. This study seeks to characterize the early malabsorptive phenotype of mice deficient for Arx using cell-type specific gene ablation in Villin-Cre; ArxloxP/Y ( Arxint) mice. In neonatal mice, the loss of intestinal Arx caused the loss of intestinal hormones, such as cholecystokinin, secretin, neurotensin, glucose-dependent insulinotropic peptide, glucagon-like peptide (GLP)-1 and GLP-2 but also upregulation of somatostatin. Arxint mice exhibited steatorrhea with the loss of lipid transport in duodenal enterocytes, upregulation of lysozyme-positive Paneth cells, and a secondary increase in antimicrobial peptides, specifically Reg3β. When the epithelium from Arxint mice was cultured ex vivo into enteroids, however, the Reg3β upregulation was lost under the sterile conditions. Thus, Arx is required for the appropriate lineage allocation of multiple enteroendocrine subtypes. We concluded that altered hormonal signaling caused by Arx deficiency results in lipid malabsorption, premature Paneth cell differentiation, and an inflammatory response, including neutrophilic infiltrates and a microbiota-triggered upregulation of Reg3β. NEW & NOTEWORTHY The enteroendocrine transcription factor aristaless-related homeobox (Arx) plays a key role in lineage specification. Changes in hormonal expression mediated by Arx lead to lipid malabsorption and premature Paneth cell development. Furthermore, global profiling of whole intestine from Arx-deficient mice revealed significant upregulation of antimicrobial peptides. This antimicrobial response in Arx-deficient animals is lost under sterile culture conditions of enteroids.
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Affiliation(s)
- Natalie A Terry
- Division of Gastroenterology, Hepatology, and Nutrition, Children's Hospital of Philadelphia , Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
- Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania , Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
| | - Lucie V Ngaba
- Division of Gastroenterology, Hepatology, and Nutrition, Children's Hospital of Philadelphia , Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
| | - Benjamin J Wilkins
- Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania , Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
- Department of Pathology, Children's Hospital of Philadelphia , Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
| | - Danielle Pi
- Division of Gastroenterology, Hepatology, and Nutrition, Children's Hospital of Philadelphia , Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
| | - Nishi Gheewala
- Division of Gastroenterology, Hepatology, and Nutrition, Children's Hospital of Philadelphia , Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
| | - Klaus H Kaestner
- Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania , Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
- Department of Genetics and Institute of Diabetes, Obesity, and Metabolism, Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania , Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
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Thiagarajah JR, Kamin DS, Acra S, Goldsmith JD, Roland JT, Lencer WI, Muise AM, Goldenring JR, Avitzur Y, Martín MG. Advances in Evaluation of Chronic Diarrhea in Infants. Gastroenterology 2018; 154:2045-2059.e6. [PMID: 29654747 PMCID: PMC6044208 DOI: 10.1053/j.gastro.2018.03.067] [Citation(s) in RCA: 103] [Impact Index Per Article: 17.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/05/2017] [Revised: 03/15/2018] [Accepted: 03/17/2018] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
Abstract
Diarrhea is common in infants (children less than 2 years of age), usually acute, and, if chronic, commonly caused by allergies and occasionally by infectious agents. Congenital diarrheas and enteropathies (CODEs) are rare causes of devastating chronic diarrhea in infants. Evaluation of CODEs is a lengthy process and infrequently leads to a clear diagnosis. However, genomic analyses and the development of model systems have increased our understanding of CODE pathogenesis. With these advances, a new diagnostic approach is needed. We propose a revised approach to determine causes of diarrhea in infants, including CODEs, based on stool analysis, histologic features, responses to dietary modifications, and genetic tests. After exclusion of common causes of diarrhea in infants, the evaluation proceeds through analyses of stool characteristics (watery, fatty, or bloody) and histologic features, such as the villus to crypt ratio in intestinal biopsies. Infants with CODEs resulting from defects in digestion, absorption, transport of nutrients and electrolytes, or enteroendocrine cell development or function have normal villi to crypt ratios; defects in enterocyte structure or immune-mediated conditions result in an abnormal villus to crypt ratios and morphology. Whole-exome and genome sequencing in the early stages of evaluation can reduce the time required for a definitive diagnosis of CODEs, or lead to identification of new variants associated with these enteropathies. The functional effects of gene mutations can be analyzed in model systems such as enteroids or induced pluripotent stem cells and are facilitated by recent advances in gene editing procedures. Characterization and investigation of new CODE disorders will improve management of patients and advance our understanding of epithelial cells and other cells in the intestinal mucosa.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jay R. Thiagarajah
- Division of Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Nutrition, Boston Children’s Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts
| | - Daniel S. Kamin
- Division of Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Nutrition, Boston Children’s Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts
| | - Sari Acra
- Departments of Surgery and Pediatrics and the Epithelial Biology Center, Vanderbilt University School of Medicine, Nashville, Tennessee
| | - Jeffrey D. Goldsmith
- Department of Pathology, Boston Children’s Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts
| | - Joseph T. Roland
- Departments of Surgery and Pediatrics and the Epithelial Biology Center, Vanderbilt University School of Medicine, Nashville, Tennessee
| | - Wayne I. Lencer
- Division of Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Nutrition, Boston Children’s Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts
| | - Aleixo M. Muise
- Division of Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Nutrition, Department of Paediatrics, The Hospital for Sick Children, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada,SickKids Inflammatory Bowel Disease Center and Cell Biology Program, Department of Paediatrics and Biochemistry, University of Toronto, Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - James R. Goldenring
- Departments of Surgery and Pediatrics and the Epithelial Biology Center, Vanderbilt University School of Medicine, Nashville, Tennessee
| | - Yaron Avitzur
- Division of Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Nutrition, Department of Paediatrics, The Hospital for Sick Children, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada.
| | - Martín G. Martín
- Department of Pediatrics, Division of Gastroenterology and Nutrition, Mattel Children’s Hospital and the David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California Los Angeles, Los Angeles, California
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Coman D, Fullston T, Shoubridge C, Leventer R, Wong F, Nazaretian S, Simpson I, Gecz J, McGillivray G. X-Linked Lissencephaly With Absent Corpus Callosum and Abnormal Genitalia: An Evolving Multisystem Syndrome With Severe Congenital Intestinal Diarrhea Disease. Child Neurol Open 2017; 4:2329048X17738625. [PMID: 29152528 PMCID: PMC5680935 DOI: 10.1177/2329048x17738625] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/31/2017] [Revised: 09/06/2017] [Accepted: 09/20/2017] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
X-linked lissencephaly with abnormal genitalia is a rare and devastating syndrome. The authors present an infant with a multisystem phenotype where the intestinal manifestations were as life limiting as the central nervous system features. Severe chronic diarrhea resulted in failure to thrive, dehydration, electrolyte derangements, long-term hospitalization, and prompted transition to palliative care. Other multisystem manifestations included megacolon, colitis, pancreatic insufficiency hypothalamic dysfunction, hypothyroidism, and hypophosphatasia. A novel aristaless-related homeobox gene mutation, c.1136G>T/p.R379L, was identified. This case contributes to the clinical, histological, and molecular understanding of the multisystem nature of this disorder, especially the role of ARX in the development of the enteroendocrine system.
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Affiliation(s)
- David Coman
- Victorian Clinical Genetics Services, Murdoch Children's Research Institute, Royal Children's Hospital, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia.,School of Medicine, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia.,School of Medicine, Griffith University, Gold Coast, Queensland, Australia
| | - Tom Fullston
- Department of Genetic Medicine, Women's and Children's Hospital, North Adelaide, South Australia, Australia.,School of Paediatrics and Reproductive Health, University of Adelaide, Adelaide, South Australia, Australia
| | - Cheryl Shoubridge
- Department of Genetic Medicine, Women's and Children's Hospital, North Adelaide, South Australia, Australia
| | - Richard Leventer
- Department of Neurology, Royal Children's Hospital, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia.,Murdoch Children's Research Institute, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia.,Department of Pediatrics, University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
| | - Flora Wong
- Department of Newborn Services, Monash Medical Centre, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
| | - Simon Nazaretian
- Department of Anatomical Pathology, Monash Medical Centre, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
| | - Ian Simpson
- Department of Anatomical Pathology, Monash Medical Centre, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
| | - Josef Gecz
- Department of Genetic Medicine, Women's and Children's Hospital, North Adelaide, South Australia, Australia.,School of Paediatrics and Reproductive Health, University of Adelaide, Adelaide, South Australia, Australia
| | - George McGillivray
- Victorian Clinical Genetics Services, Murdoch Children's Research Institute, Royal Children's Hospital, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
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