Reg4 and complement factor D prevent the overgrowth of E. coli in the mouse gut

Commun Biol. 2020 Sep 2;3(1):483. doi: 10.1038/s42003-020-01219-2.

Abstract

The expansion of Enterobacteriaceae, such as E. coli is a main characteristic of gut inflammation and is related to multiple human diseases. However, how to control these E. coli overgrowth is not well understood. Here, we demonstrate that gut complement factor D (CFD) plays an important role in eliminating E. coli. Increased E. coli, which could stimulate inflammatory macrophages to induce colitis, were found in the gut of CFD deficient mice. We also showed that gut Reg4, which is expressed in gut epithelial cells, stimulated complement-mediated attack complexes to eliminate E. coli. Reg4 deficient mice also had increased E. coli. The dominant E. coli were isolated from colitis tissues of mice and found to be sensitive to both CFD- and Reg4-mediated attack complexes. Thus, gut Reg4- and CFD-mediated membrane attack complexes may maintain gut homeostasis by killing inflammatory E. coli.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Colitis / pathology
  • Colon / pathology
  • Complement Factor D / deficiency
  • Complement Factor D / metabolism*
  • Complement Membrane Attack Complex / metabolism
  • Complement System Proteins / metabolism
  • Dextran Sulfate
  • Escherichia coli / growth & development*
  • Female
  • Gastrointestinal Microbiome*
  • Gastrointestinal Tract / microbiology*
  • Gastrointestinal Tract / pathology
  • Inflammation / pathology
  • Integrases / metabolism
  • Macrophages / pathology
  • Male
  • Mice, Inbred C57BL
  • Mice, Knockout
  • Microfilament Proteins / metabolism
  • Pancreatitis-Associated Proteins / deficiency
  • Pancreatitis-Associated Proteins / metabolism

Substances

  • Complement Membrane Attack Complex
  • Microfilament Proteins
  • Pancreatitis-Associated Proteins
  • REG4 protein, mouse
  • villin
  • Complement System Proteins
  • Dextran Sulfate
  • Cre recombinase
  • Integrases
  • Complement Factor D