Coronin 1A is Uniquely Expressed in the Human Follicle Associated Epithelium and is Required For Human M Cell Maturation and Function
Authors: Staab Janet , Doucet Michele , Latanich Rachel , Lencer Wayne I. , Zachos Nicholas C. 
Published: May 2022

Introduction

Microfold (M) cells are specialized epithelial cells that play an integral role in immune surveillance of the gut luminal environment. They functionally act as gatekeepers within the follicle‐associated epithelium (FAE) of Peyer’s patches to regulate antigen delivery to immune cells of gut‐associated lymphoid tissue. Studies have associated damage in the FAE with chronic inflammatory conditions, such as IBD; however, studies designed to understand how human M cells contribute to disease onset and/or pathogenesis under pathogenic conditions remain incomplete. OBJECTIVE: Since M cells are differentiated from Lgr5+ intestinal stem cells, we proposed to utilize human enteroids to determine the factors that regulate human M cell differentiation and function. Quantitative proteomics analysis of human enteroids differentiated to express M cells revealed enriched expression of coronin 1A, an actin‐remodeling protein involved in phagocytosis and expressed immune cells. Since M cells engulf luminal gut antigens via phagocytosis, we hypothesized that coronin 1A is uniquely expressed in the human FAE and plays a role in gut antigen uptake and transcytosis in human M cells.

Methods

Human ileal enteroids derived from biopsies obtained from healthy donors were grown as monolayers and differentiated (no Wnt3a, R‐spondin‐1) for at least 5 days. To express M cells, cultures were exposed to RANKL and TNF during differentiation. Human expression of coronin 1A was validated by immunoblot and confocal microscopy of ileal biopsies obtained from healthy donors. Stable knockdown (KD) of coronin 1A in human enteroids was achieved by shRNA lentivirus and puromycin selection. M cell monolayers, expressing or lacking coronin 1A, were exposed apically to commensal (HS) and pathogenic strains of E. coli (EPEC, AIEC) to determine the contribution of gut microbes to stimulate M cell transcytosis, as measured by uptake of fluorescent polystyrene latex beads and immunoglobulins.

Results

Coronin 1A was expressed in human enteroid monolayers differentiated to express M cells, but not in monolayers differentiated to mimic the villus epithelium. Similar results were obtained in biopsy sections of the human ileum with coronin 1A detected in the FAE, but not in crypt or villus epithelia. This staining pattern was unique for human, as coronin 1A expression in the mouse ileum was confined to lamina propria and lymphoid follicle immune cells. Coronin 1A KD resulted in decreased expression of glycoprotein 2, a marker of mature M cells, while other markers of the FAE and M cells, including CD14, ICAM1, Spi‐B, SOX8, and FcRN remained unchanged. Coronin 1A KD also resulted in impaired uptake/transcytosis of IgG (via FcRN) as well as pathogen‐stimulated uptake/transcytosis of polystyrene beads by human M cells.

Conclusions

The studies show: (1) human enteroids can be differentiated to model coronin 1A expression in the intact human FAE; (2) coronin 1A expression is necessary for terminal differentiation and function of human M cells; and (3) coronin 1A is required for pathogen‐stimulated uptake and transcytosis of various types of luminal gut cargo. We conclude that M cell‐expressing enteroid monolayers can be used as a relevant human model to further interrogate tropism for host‐pathogen interactions, mechanisms of luminal surveillance, and response to oral vaccine therapies.