Maf family transcription factors are required for nutrient uptake in the mouse neonatal gut

Mechanisms and functions of intestinal vascular specialization

The intestinal vasculature has been studied for the last 100 years, and its essential role in absorbing and distributing ingested nutrients is well known. Recently, fascinating new insights into the organization, molecular mechanisms, and functions of intestinal vessels have emerged. These include maintenance of intestinal epithelial cell function, coping with microbiota-induced inflammatory pressure, recruiting gut-specific immune cells, and crosstalk with other organs. Intestinal function is also regulated at the systemic and cellular levels, such that the postprandial hyperemic response can direct up to 30% of systemic blood to gut vessels, while micron-sized endothelial cell fenestrations are necessary for nutrient uptake. In this review, we will highlight past discoveries made about intestinal vasculature in the context of new findings of molecular mechanisms underpinning gut function. Such comprehensive understanding of the system will pave the way to breakthroughs in nutrient uptake optimization, drug delivery efficiency, and treatment of human diseases.

Transcriptional regulation of metabolism in the intestinal epithelium

Epithelial metabolism in the intestine is increasingly known to be important for stem cell maintenance and activity while also affecting weight gain and diseases. This review compiles studies from recent years which describe major transcription factors controlling metabolic activity across the intestinal epithelium as well as transcriptional and epigenetic networks controlling the factors themselves. Recent studies show that transcriptional regulators serve as the link between signals from the microbiota and diet and epithelial metabolism. Studies have advanced this paradigm to identify druggable targets to block weight gain or disease progression in mice. As such, there is great potential that a better understanding of these regulatory networks will improve our knowledge of intestinal physiology and promote discoveries to benefit human health.