The decrease of fucosylation in intestinal epithelium is related to the development of necrotizing enterocolitis

Area of Science:

• Neonatal medicine
• Gastroenterology
• Immunology

Background:

• Necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC) is a critical neonatal gastrointestinal emergency.
• Fucosylated glycans on intestinal epithelial cells (IECs) are vital for intestinal homeostasis.
• The specific role of intestinal fucosylation in NEC pathogenesis remains unclear.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the association between intestinal epithelial fucosylation and necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC).
• To elucidate the functional role of epithelial fucosylation in NEC development and severity.

Main Methods:

• Analysis of human intestinal specimens from NEC patients and controls.
• Utilizing a mouse model of NEC to assess fucosylated epithelial cells (F-ECs), ILC3s, IL-22, and Fut2 expression.
• Experimental administration of anti-IL-22 antibody in the NEC mouse model.

Main Results:

• NEC patients exhibited significantly lower intestinal epithelial fucosylation levels compared to controls.
• In the NEC mouse model, F-ECs, ILC3s, IL-22, and Fut2 expression were reduced.
• Blocking IL-22 exacerbated NEC, increasing damage, permeability, and inflammation, while decreasing F-ECs.

Conclusions:

• Reduced intestinal fucosylation is linked to increased susceptibility and severity of NEC.
• Epithelial fucosylation, potentially via IL-22, plays a protective role in NEC.
• Further research is warranted to explore therapeutic strategies targeting intestinal fucosylation in NEC.