Intestinal bacterial translocation in rats with cirrhosis is related to compromised Paneth cell antimicrobial host defense

Teltschik, Zora; Wiest, Reiner; Beisner, Julia; Nuding, Sabine; Hofmann, Claudia; Schoelmerich, Juergen; Bevins, Charles L; Stange, Eduard F; Wehkamp, Jan (2012). Intestinal bacterial translocation in rats with cirrhosis is related to compromised Paneth cell antimicrobial host defense. Hepatology, 55(4), pp. 1154-63. Hoboken, N.J.: Wiley Interscience 10.1002/hep.24789

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Liver cirrhosis is associated with bacterial translocation (BT) and endotoxemia. Most translocating bacteria belong to the common intestinal microbiota, suggesting a breakdown of intestinal barrier function. We hypothesized that diminished mucosal antimicrobial host defense could predispose to BT. Two rodent models of portal hypertension with increased BT were used, CCl(4)-induced ascitic cirrhosis and 2-day portal vein-ligated (PVL) animals. BT was assessed by standard microbiological techniques on mesenteric lymph nodes. Total RNA was isolated systematically throughout the intestinal tract, and expression of Paneth cell α-cryptdins and β-defensins was determined by real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qPCR). To determine functional consequences, mucosal antimicrobial activity was assessed with a fluorescence-activated cell sorting assay. BT was detectable in 40% of rats with cirrhosis. Compared with the group without BT, these animals exhibited diminished intestinal Paneth cell α-cryptdin 5 and 7 expression. In contrast, PVL was associated with BT in all animals but did not affect antimicrobial peptides. The decrease in Paneth cell antimicrobials was most pronounced in the ileum and the coecum. Other antimicrobials showed no changes or even an induction in the case of BT at different sites. Antimicrobial activity toward different commensal strains was reduced, especially in the distal ileum and the cecum in experimental cirrhosis with BT (excluding PVL). Conclusion: Compromised Paneth cell antimicrobial host defense seems to predispose to BT in experimental cirrhosis. Understanding this liver-gut axis including the underlying mechanisms could help us to find new treatment avenues.

Item Type:	Journal Article (Original Article)
Division/Institute:	04 Faculty of Medicine > Department of Gastro-intestinal, Liver and Lung Disorders (DMLL) > Clinic of Visceral Surgery and Medicine > Gastroenterology
UniBE Contributor:	Wiest, Reiner
ISSN:	0270-9139
Publisher:	Wiley Interscience
Language:	English
Submitter:	Factscience Import
Date Deposited:	04 Oct 2013 14:40
Last Modified:	05 Dec 2022 14:12
Publisher DOI:	10.1002/hep.24789
PubMed ID:	22095436
Web of Science ID:	000302069900019
URI:	https://boris.unibe.ch/id/eprint/16166 (FactScience: 223754)