G-protein coupled receptor 35 (GPR35) regulates the colonic epithelial cell response to enterotoxigenic Bacteroides fragilis

G protein-coupled receptor (GPR)35 is highly expressed in the gastro-intestinal tract, predominantly in colon epithelial cells (CEC), and has been associated with inflammatory bowel diseases (IBD), suggesting a role in gastrointestinal inflammation. The enterotoxigenic Bacteroides fragilis (ETBF) toxin (BFT) is an important virulence factor causing gut inflammation in humans and animal models. We identified that BFT signals through GPR35. Blocking GPR35 function in CECs using the GPR35 antagonist ML145, in conjunction with shRNA knock-down and CRISPRcas-mediated knock-out, resulted in reduced CEC-response to BFT as measured by E-cadherin cleavage, beta-arrestin recruitment and IL-8 secretion. Importantly, GPR35 is required for the rapid onset of ETBF-induced colitis in mouse models. GPR35-deficient mice showed reduced death and disease severity compared to wild-type C57Bl6 mice. Our data support a role for GPR35 in the CEC and mucosal response to BFT and underscore the importance of this molecule for sensing ETBF in the colon. Boleij et al. show that G protein-coupled receptor 35 (GPR35) regulates the responses to enterotoxigenic Bacteroides fragilis (ETBF) in colonic epithelial cells. They find that GPR35-deficiency nearly protected mice from ETBF-induced death, suggesting the importance of GPR35 in sensing ETBF in the colon.

Automated summary

GPR35 plays a crucial role in the response of colonic epithelial cells to BFT, and GPR35 deficiency can reduce the mortality and disease severity induced by ETBF in mice.