Epithelial cells prime the immune response to an array of gut-derived commensals towards a tolerogenic phenotype through distinct actions of thymic stromal lymphopoietin and transforming growth factor-beta

Humans and other mammals coexist with a diverse array of microbes colonizing the intestine, termed the microflora. The relationship is symbiotic, with the microbes benefiting from a stable environment and nutrient supply, and the host gaining competitive exclusion of pathogens and continuously maintenance of the gut immune homeostasis.

Here we report novel crosstalk mechanisms between the human enterocyte cell line, Caco2, and underlying human monocyte-derived DC in a transwell model where Gram-positive (G+) commensals prevent Toll-like receptor-4 (TLR4)-dependent Escherichia coli-induced semimaturation in a TLR2-dependent fashion.

These findings add to our understanding of the hypo-responsiveness of the gut epithelium towards the microflora. Gut DC posses a more tolerogenic phenotype than conventional DC. Here we show that Caco2 spent medium (SM) induces tolerogenic DC with lower expression of maturation markers, interleukin (IL)-12p70, and tumour necrosis factor-alpha when matured with G+ and Gram-negative (G-) commensals, while IL-10 production is enhanced in DC upon encountering G+ commensals and reduced upon encountering G- bacteria.

The Caco2 SM-induced tolerogenic phenotype is also seen in DC priming of naive T cells with elevated levels of transforming growth factor-beta (TGF-beta) and markedly reduced levels of bacteria-induced interferon-gamma production. Caco2 cell production of IL-8, thymic stromal lymphopoietin (TSLP) and TGF-beta increases upon microbial stimulation in a strain dependent manner.

TSLP and TGF-beta co-operate in inducing the tolerogenic DC phenotype but other mediators might be involved.