G Protein-Coupled Receptor 109A and Host Microbiota Modulate Intestinal Epithelial Integrity During Sepsis

The intestinal epithelial barrier is important to mucosal immunity, although how it is maintained after damage is unclear. Here, we show that G protein-coupled receptor 109A (GPR109A) supports barrier integrity and decreases mortality in a mouse cecum ligation and puncture (CLP) sepsis model. Data from 16S RNA sequencing showed that the intestinal microbiota of WT and Gpr109a^-/- mice clustered differently and their compositions were disrupted after CLP surgery. GPR109A-deficient mice showed increased mortality, intestinal permeability, altered inflammation, and lower tight junction gene expression. After eliminating the intestinal flora with antibiotics, all experimental mice died within 48 h of CLP surgery. This demonstrates the critical role of the gut microbiota in CLP-induced sepsis. Importantly, mortality and other pathologies in the model were decreased after Gpr109a^-/- mice received WT gut microbiota. These findings indicate that GPR109A regulates the gut microbiota, contributing to intestinal epithelial barrier integrity and decreased mortality in CLP-induced sepsis.