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ARS Home » Northeast Area » Beltsville, Maryland (BHNRC) » Beltsville Human Nutrition Research Center » Diet, Genomics and Immunology Laboratory » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #244782
Title: Role of enteric nerves in immune-mediated changes in protease activated receptor 2 effects on gut function

Author
item SHEA-DONOHUE, TEREZ - University Of Maryland
item NOTARI, LUIGI - University Of Maryland
item STILTZ, JENNIFER - University Of Maryland
item SUN, REX - University Of Maryland
item MADDEN, KATHLEEN - University Of Maryland
item Urban, Joseph
item ZHAO, AIPING - University Of Maryland

Submitted to: Neurogastroenterology & Motility
Publication Type: Peer Reviewed Journal
Publication Acceptance Date: 9/30/2010
Publication Date: 10/1/2010
Citation: Shea-Donohue, T., Notari, L., Stiltz, J., Sun, R., Madden, K.B., Urban Jr, J.F., Zhao, A. 2010. Role of enteric nerves in immune-mediated changes in protease activated receptor 2 effects on gut function. Neurogastroenterology & Motility. 10:1138-e291.

Interpretive Summary: Parasitic worm infections are convenient models to examine allergic responses in the intestine that represent responses to food allergens because of the similar nature of the immune response that is induced. The presence of food particles and worms change the nature of cells in the intestine and these cells, in turn, regulate both immune function and intestinal physiology. We observed that protease-activated receptors (PARs) appear on structural cells and immune cells in the intestine. These receptors are activated by proteolytic enzymes released by worms during infection and regulate smooth muscle and epithelial cell function with some effects controlled by nerve conduction. These observations are novel and also link the activity of certain classes of food allergens that have proteolytic activity. This work will be of interest to nutritionists who study food allergy, clinicians that evaluate intestinal function, and scientists interested in the regulation of harmful side effects of parasitic infection and allergic disease on host immunity and nutrient absorption.

Technical Abstract: Protease activated receptors (PARs) are expressed on structural cells and immune cells. Control of the initiation, duration, and magnitude of the PAR effects are linked to the level of receptor expression, the availability of proteases, and the intracellular signal transduction machinery. We investigated nematode infection-induced changes in PAR2 expression and their impact on smooth muscle and epithelial responses to PAR2 agonists. Smooth muscle and epithelial cell function were assessed in wild type BALB/c, and IL-4, IL-13, or STAT6 gene-deficient mice following treatment with vehicle, the parasitic nematodes Nippostrongylus brasiliensis or Heligmosomoides polygyrus, or IL-13. The role of enteric nerves was determined using tetrodotoxin to block nerve conduction. Expression of PAR2 was assessed by real-time PCR and immune histochemistry. Nematode infection induced a STAT6- and IL-13-dependent up-regulation of PAR2 mRNA expression. The infection-induced hyper-contractility to PAR2 agonists required STAT6/IL-13 and was neuron-mediated. In contrast, the infection-induced decrease in epithelial secretion to PAR2 agonists was partly dependent on STAT6 and was independent of enteric nerves. Hypo-secretion was correlated with decreased PAR2 on epithelial cells, but enhanced staining of cells in the lamina propria. This study demonstrated novel immune regulation of PAR2 expression that directly impacted both smooth muscle and epithelial cell responses to PAR2 agonists with differences related to the contribution of enteric nerves. These data provided a mechanism by which activation of PAR2 in immune-based pathologies can induce both transient and long-lasting changes in gut function.