Scattered Crypt Intestinal Epithelial Cell Apoptosis Induces Necrotizing Enterocolitis Via Intricate Mechanisms

Necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC) is a life-threatening disease affecting mostly the ileum of preemies. Intestinal epithelial cell (IEC) apoptosis contributes to NEC pathogenesis. However, how scattered crypt IEC apoptosis leads to NEC with excessive villus epithelial necrosis remains unclear.

A novel triple-transgenic mouse model, namely, 3xTg-iAP^cIEC (inducible apoptosis phenotype in crypt-IEC), was developed to induce IEC-specific overexpression of Fasl transgene using doxycycline (Dox)-inducible tetO-rtTA system and villin-cre technology. The 3-days-old neonatal 3xTg-iAP^cIEC mice and their littermate controls were subcutaneously (s.c.) challenged with a single dose of Dox. Intestinal tissues were processed at different time points to examine scattered crypt IEC apoptosis-mediated NEC development. Gene knockout technology, antibody-mediated cell depletion, and antibiotic-facilitated Gram-positive bacteria depletion were used to study mechanisms.

Treatment of 3xTg-iAP^cIEC mouse pups with Dox induces scattered crypt IEC apoptosis followed by crypt inflammation and excessive villous necrosis resembling NEC. This progression correlated with elevated Ifng, Rip3, CD8⁺ T cells, and Gram-positive bacteria in the ileum. Mechanistically, IFN-γ and RIP3-activated signals mediate the effect of scattered crypt IEC apoptosis on the induction of intestinal crypt inflammation and villous necrosis. Meanwhile, pathophysiological events of CD8⁺ T cell infiltration and dysbiosis with Gram-positive bacteria primarily contribute to excessive villous inflammation and necrosis. Notably, blocking any of these events protects against NEC development in 3xTg-iAP^cIEC mouse pups, underlining their central roles in NEC pathogenesis.

Scattered crypt IEC apoptosis induces NEC in mouse pups via IFN-γ, RIP3, CD8⁺ T cells, and Gram-positive bacteria-mediated comprehensive pathophysiological events. Our findings may advance knowledge in the prevention and treatment of NEC.