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Mechanism of iron on the intestinal epithelium development in suckling piglets

Lanmei Yin1,2,3, Yitong Zhang1, Jun Li1,4

  • 1Hunan International Joint Laboratory of Animal Intestinal Ecology and Health, Laboratory of Animal Nutrition and Human Health, College of Life Sciences, Hunan Normal University, Changsha, 410081, China.

Science China. Life Sciences
|May 26, 2023
PubMed

Insights

Lactation is crucial for piglet intestinal development, with iron metabolism changes impacting epithelial growth. Interleukin-22 (IL-22) may mediate iron

Area of Science:

  • Gastroenterology
  • Developmental Biology
  • Nutritional Science

Background:

  • Lactation significantly impacts intestinal epithelium development in suckling piglets.
  • Iron metabolism undergoes dynamic changes during early postnatal development.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the role of iron in piglet intestinal epithelium development.
  • To elucidate the mechanisms by which iron influences intestinal maturation.

Main Methods:

  • Comparative analysis of jejunal morphology, cell proliferation, and differentiation in piglets of different ages.
  • In vitro studies using intestinal organoids treated with deferoxamine (iron chelator).
  • Gene expression analysis of iron metabolism, epithelial maturation markers, and cytokine signaling pathways (IL-22).

Main Results:

  • Piglet jejunum showed enhanced morphology, proliferation, and differentiation with age, correlating with altered iron metabolism genes.
  • In vitro iron deficiency did not significantly impact epithelial maturation markers in early passages of organoids.
  • Iron supplementation altered IL-22 receptor expression, while IL-22 treatment promoted adult epithelial marker expression in organoids.

Conclusions:

  • Lactation is a critical period for intestinal development, intrinsically linked to iron metabolism.
  • Iron deficiency may not directly impair intestinal epithelium development via intestinal stem cells.
  • Interleukin-22 (IL-22) emerges as a key mediator in the interplay between iron and intestinal epithelium development.

Keywords:
interleukin-22intestinal epithelium developmentironsuckling piglets

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