Immune Netw.  2015 Feb;15(1):44-49. 10.4110/in.2015.15.1.44.

Expression of the ATP-gated P2X7 Receptor on M Cells and Its Modulating Role in the Mucosal Immune Environment

• Kim SH
• Lee HY
• Jang YS

• KMID: 2150829
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.4110/in.2015.15.1.44

Abstract

Interactions between microbes and epithelial cells in the gastrointestinal tract are closely associated with regulation of intestinal mucosal immune responses. Recent studies have highlighted the modulation of mucosal immunity by microbe-derived molecules such as ATP and short-chain fatty acids. In this study, we undertook to characterize the expression of the ATP-gated P2X7 receptor (P2X7R) on M cells and its role in gastrointestinal mucosal immune regulation because it was poorly characterized in Peyer's patches, although purinergic signaling via P2X7R and luminal ATP have been considered to play an important role in the gastrointestinal tract. Here, we present the first report on the expression of P2X7R on M cells and characterize the role of P2X7R in immune enhancement by ATP or LL-37.

Keyword

Adjuvant; Immune modulation; M cells; Mucosal immunity; P2X7 receptor

MeSH Terms

Adenosine Triphosphate
Epithelial Cells
Fatty Acids, Volatile
Gastrointestinal Tract
Immunity, Mucosal
Peyer's Patches
Phenobarbital
Receptors, Purinergic P2X7*
Adenosine Triphosphate
Fatty Acids, Volatile
Phenobarbital
Receptors, Purinergic P2X7

Figure

• 

  Figure 1 ATP-gated P2X7R is expressed on mouse PP M cells. Tissue sections prepared from mouse PP were stained with UEA-1 (red) and anti-P2X7R antibody (green), and then counterstained with DAPI (blue). M cells are indicated with arrows. Scale bars represent 50 µm. Data shown are representative of three independent experiments.

• 

  Figure 2 ATP-gated P2X7R is expressed on the M cell surface. Whole mount PP specimens were stained with WGA (blue), NKM 16-2-4 (green), and anti-P2X7R (red). The merged images of whole mount specimens were created using slices from z-stacks projected onto one slice along the χ-axis. Scale bars represent 20 µm. Data shown are representative of three independent experiments.

• 

  Figure 3 Stimulation of P2X7R in M-like cells can enhance the production of the proinflammatory cytokine IL-6. M-like cells or control enterocyte-like cells were prepared as described in the Materials and Methods and then treated with LL-37 for 24 hours. The level of IL-6 in culture supernatant after each indicated treatment was determined by ELISA and is expressed as pg/ml.

• 

  Figure 4 ATP-gated P2X7R may function as an M cell-targeting receptor. Whole-mount PP specimens excised from mice 10 min after oral administration of EGFP-LL37 (green) were stained with anti-P2X7R (red), NKM 16-2-4 (purple), and WGA (blue). Merged images of whole mount specimens were created using slices from z-stacks projected onto one slice along the x-axis. Scale bars represent 20 µm. Data shown are representative of three independent experiments.

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