Loss of the branched-chain amino acid transporter CD98hc alters the development of colonic macrophages in mice

Commun Biol. 2020 Mar 18;3(1):130. doi: 10.1038/s42003-020-0842-3.

Abstract

Comprehensive development is critical for gut macrophages being essential for the intestinal immune system. However, the underlying mechanisms of macrophage development in the colon remain elusive. To investigate the function of branched-chain amino acids in the development of gut macrophages, an inducible knock-out mouse model for the branched-chain amino acid transporter CD98hc in CX3CR1+ macrophages was generated. The relatively selective deletion of CD98hc in macrophage populations leads to attenuated severity of chemically-induced colitis that we assessed by clinical, endoscopic, and histological scoring. Single-cell RNA sequencing of colonic lamina propria macrophages revealed that conditional deletion of CD98hc alters the "monocyte waterfall"-development to MHC II+ macrophages. The change in the macrophage development after deletion of CD98hc is associated with increased apoptotic gene expression. Our results show that CD98hc deletion changes the development of colonic macrophages.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Adolescent
  • Adult
  • Aged
  • Aged, 80 and over
  • Amino Acids, Branched-Chain / metabolism*
  • Animals
  • Apoptosis
  • Apoptosis Regulatory Proteins / genetics
  • Apoptosis Regulatory Proteins / metabolism
  • CX3C Chemokine Receptor 1 / genetics
  • CX3C Chemokine Receptor 1 / metabolism
  • Colitis / chemically induced
  • Colitis / metabolism*
  • Colitis / pathology
  • Colitis / prevention & control
  • Colitis, Ulcerative / diagnosis
  • Colitis, Ulcerative / genetics
  • Colitis, Ulcerative / metabolism
  • Colon / metabolism*
  • Colon / ultrastructure
  • Crohn Disease / diagnosis
  • Crohn Disease / genetics
  • Crohn Disease / metabolism
  • Dextran Sulfate
  • Disease Models, Animal
  • Female
  • Fusion Regulatory Protein 1, Heavy Chain / deficiency*
  • Fusion Regulatory Protein 1, Heavy Chain / genetics
  • Gene Expression Regulation
  • Humans
  • Intestinal Mucosa / metabolism*
  • Intestinal Mucosa / ultrastructure
  • Macrophages / metabolism*
  • Macrophages / ultrastructure
  • Male
  • Mice, Inbred C57BL
  • Mice, Knockout
  • Middle Aged
  • Phenotype
  • RNA-Seq
  • Single-Cell Analysis
  • Young Adult

Substances

  • Amino Acids, Branched-Chain
  • Apoptosis Regulatory Proteins
  • CX3C Chemokine Receptor 1
  • Cx3cr1 protein, mouse
  • Fusion Regulatory Protein 1, Heavy Chain
  • SLC3A2 protein, human
  • Slc3A2 protein, mouse
  • Dextran Sulfate