Formylpeptide receptor-2 contributes to colonic epithelial homeostasis, inflammation, and tumorigenesis

J Clin Invest. 2013 Apr;123(4):1694-704. doi: 10.1172/JCI65569.

Abstract

Commensal bacteria and their products provide beneficial effects to the mammalian gut by stimulating epithelial cell turnover and enhancing wound healing, without activating overt inflammation. We hypothesized that N-formylpeptide receptors, which bind bacterial N-formylpeptides and are expressed by intestinal epithelial cells, may contribute to these processes. Here we report that formylpeptide receptor-2 (FPR2), which we show is expressed on the apical and lateral membranes of colonic crypt epithelial cells, mediates N-formylpeptide-dependent epithelial cell proliferation and renewal. Colonic epithelial cells in FPR2-deficient mice displayed defects in commensal bacterium-dependent homeostasis as shown by the absence of responses to N-formylpeptide stimulation, shortened colonic crypts, reduced acute inflammatory responses to dextran sulfate sodium (DSS) challenge, delayed mucosal restoration after injury, and increased azoxymethane-induced tumorigenesis. These results indicate that FPR2 is critical in mediating homeostasis, inflammation, and epithelial repair processes in the colon.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural
  • Research Support, N.I.H., Intramural

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Cell Proliferation
  • Cell Transformation, Neoplastic / metabolism*
  • Colitis / chemically induced
  • Colitis / metabolism*
  • Colitis / microbiology
  • Colon / pathology*
  • Colonic Neoplasms / metabolism*
  • Cytokines / genetics
  • Cytokines / metabolism
  • Dextran Sulfate
  • Epithelial Cells / metabolism*
  • Epithelial Cells / pathology
  • Epithelial Cells / physiology
  • Gene Expression
  • Homeostasis
  • Inflammation Mediators / metabolism
  • Intestinal Mucosa / metabolism
  • Intestinal Mucosa / microbiology
  • Intestinal Mucosa / pathology
  • Ki-67 Antigen / metabolism
  • Mice
  • Mice, Knockout
  • Receptors, Formyl Peptide / genetics
  • Receptors, Formyl Peptide / metabolism
  • Receptors, Formyl Peptide / physiology*

Substances

  • Cytokines
  • Fpr1 protein, mouse
  • Inflammation Mediators
  • Ki-67 Antigen
  • Receptors, Formyl Peptide
  • formyl peptide receptor 2, mouse
  • Dextran Sulfate