IκBα deficiency imposes a fetal phenotype to intestinal stem cells

The intestinal epithelium is a paradigm of adult tissue in constant regeneration that is supported by intestinal stem cells (ISCs). The mechanisms regulating ISC homeostasis after injury are poorly understood. We previously demonstrated that I kappa B alpha, the main regulator of NF-kappa B, exerts alternative nuclear functions as cytokine sensor in a subset of PRC2-regulated genes. Here, we show that nuclear I kappa B alpha is present in the ISC compartment. Mice deficient for I kappa B alpha show altered intestinal cell differentiation with persistence of a fetal-like ISC phenotype, associated with aberrant PRC2 activity at specific loci. Moreover, I kappa B alpha-deficient intestinal cells produce morphologically aberrant organoids carrying a PRC2-dependent fetal-like transcriptional signature. DSS treatment, which induces acute damage in the colonic epithelium of mice, results in a temporary loss of nuclear P-I kappa B alpha and its subsequent accumulation in early CD44-positive regenerating areas. Importantly, I kappa B alpha-deficient mice show higher resistance to damage, likely due to the persistent fetal-like ISC phenotype. These results highlight intestinal I kappa B alpha as a chromatin sensor of inflammation in the ISC compartment.