Differentiation of CD11c+ CX3CR1+ cells in the small intestine requires Notch signaling

Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A. 2014 Apr 22;111(16):5986-91. doi: 10.1073/pnas.1401671111. Epub 2014 Apr 7.

Abstract

The gastrointestinal tract comes into direct contact with environmental agents, including bacteria, viruses, and foods. Intestine-specific subsets of immune cells maintain gut homeostasis by continuously sampling luminal antigens and maintaining immune tolerance. CD11c(+)CX3CR1(+) cells sample luminal antigens in the small intestine and contribute to the trafficking of bacteria to lymph nodes under dysbiotic conditions. The molecular mechanisms crucial for the differentiation of CD11c(+)CX3CR1(+) cells remain unclear. Here we demonstrate that the Notch1- or Notch2-Rbpj axis is essential for the development of CD11c(+)CX3CR1(+) cells. In mice in which Rbpj or Notch1 and Notch2 were deleted from CD11c(+) cells, there was a deficit of CD11c(+)CX3CR1(+) cells and an accumulation of CD11c(low)CX3CR1(+) cells. The CD11c(low)CX3CR1(+) cells could not differentiate to CD11c(+)CX3CR1(+) cells, suggesting that CD11c(low)CX3CR1(+) cells represent a lineage distinct from CD11c(+)CX3CR1(+) cells. These data indicate that Notch signaling is essential for lineage fixation of intestinal CD11c(+)CX3CR1(+) cells.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • CD11c Antigen / metabolism*
  • CX3C Chemokine Receptor 1
  • Cell Count
  • Cell Differentiation*
  • Immunoglobulin J Recombination Signal Sequence-Binding Protein / deficiency
  • Immunoglobulin J Recombination Signal Sequence-Binding Protein / metabolism
  • Intestine, Small / cytology*
  • Mice
  • Mice, Inbred C57BL
  • Receptors, Chemokine / metabolism*
  • Receptors, Notch / metabolism*
  • Signal Transduction*

Substances

  • CD11c Antigen
  • CX3C Chemokine Receptor 1
  • Cx3cr1 protein, mouse
  • Immunoglobulin J Recombination Signal Sequence-Binding Protein
  • Rbpj protein, mouse
  • Receptors, Chemokine
  • Receptors, Notch