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Updated: Dec 31, 2025
Two-dimensional Porcine Intestinal Organoids Reflecting the Physiological Properties of Native Gut
Published on: January 31, 2025
Post-natal co-development of the microbiota and gut barrier function follows different paths in the small and large
Alexis Pierre Arnaud1,2, Véronique Rome1, Marion Richard1
1Institut NuMeCan, INRA, INSERM, Univ Rennes, St-Gilles, France.
Insights
The gut microbiota and intestinal barrier develop differently in piglets' small and large intestines after birth. The colon shows distinct microbial and mucosal development compared to the jejunum and ileum.
Area of Science:
- Gastroenterology
- Microbiology
- Developmental Biology
Background:
- Gut microbiota and intestinal barrier development are crucial for establishing post-natal homeostasis.
- The co-developmental timing of these systems may vary across different intestinal segments.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the site-specific post-natal co-development of gut microbiota and intestinal barrier in suckling piglets.
- To compare the developmental trajectories of the jejunum, ileum, and colon.
Main Methods:
- Sampling of luminal contents and mucosa from jejunum, ileum, and colon at multiple post-natal days (0, 2, 7, 14, 28).
- 16S rRNA gene sequencing for microbiota analysis and beta-diversity assessment.
- Ussing chamber for mucosal permeability evaluation and pattern recognition receptor (PRR) expression analysis.
Main Results:
- Early microbiota clustering observed across intestinal sites by post-natal day 2, with divergence in the colon thereafter.
- Increased mucosal permeability with age in the jejunum and ileum, but not the colon.
- Distinct patterns of PRR expression and mucosa clustering, with the colon showing site-specific characteristics irrespective of age.
Conclusions:
- The small and large intestines exhibit distinct post-natal mucosal phenotypes and developmental trajectories despite early similarities in microbiota composition.
- Specific bacterial families correlate with mucosal parameters in different intestinal segments.
Abstract:
Gut microbiota and intestinal barrier co-develop after birth, establishing a homeostatic state whereby mucosal cells cohabit with commensal bacteria. We hypothesized that this post-natal co-development follows different timings depending on the intestinal site considered. Jejunal, ileal, and colonic luminal contents and mucosa were sampled in suckling piglets at post-natal day (PND) 0, 2, 7, 14, and 28. Jejunal, ileal, and colonic luminal microbiota (evaluated by 16S DNA sequencing followed by beta-diversity analysis) clustered at PND2 but colonic microbiota diverge afterwards (P < .05). Mucosal permeability, evaluated in Ussing chambers, increased with age in the jejunum and ileum (P < .05) but not the colon. Expression of pattern recognition receptor (PRR) exhibited different patterns (gradual or sharp increase, decrease, or no change with age, P < .05) depending on PRR and intestinal site considered. Principal component analysis of mucosa data revealed clear clustering of colonic samples, irrespective of the age and clustering of jejunal and ileal samples, with gradual changes with age. Correlation analysis highlighted three families correlating with mucosal parameters: Enterobacteriaceae in the jejunum, Peptostreptococcaceae in the ileum, and Micrococcaceae in the colon. In conclusion, small and large intestine display close microbiota composition early in life but distinct mucosal phenotype and follow very different post-natal development.
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