Targeting symbionts by apolipoprotein L proteins modulates gut immunity

Targeting symbionts by apolipoprotein L proteins modulates gut immunity

The mammalian gut harbours trillions of commensal bacteria that interact with their hosts through various bioactive molecules1,2. However, the mutualistic strategies that hosts evolve to benefit from these symbiotic relationships are largely unexplored. Here we report that mouse enterocytes secrete apolipoprotein L9a and b (APOL9a/b) in the presence of microbiota. By integrating flow cytometry sorting of APOL9-binding bacterial taxa with 16S rib…

JCI Asparagine endopeptidase cleaves apolipoprotein A1 and accelerates pathogenesis of atherosclerosis

Atherosclerosis is a slowly progressing inflammatory disease characterized with cholesterol disorder and intimal plaques. Asparagine endopeptidase (AEP) is an endolysosomal protease that is activated under acidic conditions and is elevated substantially in both plasma and plaques of patients with atherosclerosis. However, how AEP accelerates atherosclerosis development remains incompletely understood, especially from the view of cholesterol meta…

Our intestine contains more than 100 million nerve cells and is responsible for producing 95% of serotonin, a neurotransmitter related to well-being. Recently, new evidence has highlighted the importance of the intestinal microbiota — a group of billions and billions of bacteria, viruses, fungi and other microscopic agents — for the health of the body and mind. This shows how our intestine and brain are connected and influence each other: you ha…

Apolipoprotein L Proteins Shape Gut Immunity

In recent years, the intricate relationship between mammals and their resident gut microbiota has emerged as a cornerstone of health and disease. Trillions of commensal bacteria residing in the mammalian intestine have long been recognized not simply as passive inhabitants but as active participants influencing host physiology through a myriad of bioactive molecules. Despite the expanding appreciation for microbial contributions to host well-bei…

Protein-Lipid Communication between Intestinal Cells and Gut Microbes Boosts Immunity in Mice

The human gut is home to trillions of microbes that not only aid in digestion but also play a key role in shaping our immune system. These microbes communicate with the body by releasing a range of molecules that influence how immune cells grow and function. To maintain a healthy balance between host defense and microbial coexistence, the body deploys a variety of defense tools—such as mucus, antimicrobial proteins, antibodies, and complement pr…