The Nlrp6 inflammasome is not required for baseline colonic inner mucus layer formation or function

We report that isolated colonic goblet cells express components of several inflammasomes; however, analysis of IML properties in multiple inflammasome-deficient mice, including littermate-controlled Nlrp6–/–, detect a functional IML barrier in all strains. Analysis of mice lacking inflammasome substrate cytokines identifies a defective IML in Il18–/– mice, but this phenotype is ultimately traced to a microbiota-driven, Il18-independent effect. Analysis of phenotypic transfer between IML-deficient and IML-intact mice finds that the Bacteroidales family S24-7 (Muribaculaceae) and genus Adlercrutzia consistently positively covary with IML barrier function. Together, our results demonstrate that baseline IML formation and function is independent of inflammasome activity and highlights the role of the microbiota in determining IML barrier function.

Source: The Journal of Experimental Medicine - November 3, 2019 Category: Internal Medicine Authors: Volk, J. K., Nyström, E. E. L., van der Post, S., Abad, B. M., Schroeder, B. O., Johansson, A., Svensson, F., Jäverfelt, S., Johansson, M. E. V., Hansson, G. C., Birchenough, G. M. H. Tags: Innate Immunity and Inflammation, Infectious Disease and Host Defense, Mucosal Immunology Articles Source Type: research