Gut immunity in a protochordate involves a secreted immunoglobulin-type mediator binding host chitin and bacteria

Larry J. Dishaw (), Brittany Leigh, John P. Cannon, Assunta Liberti, M. Gail Mueller, Diana P. Skapura, Charlotte R. Karrer, Maria R. Pinto, Rosaria De Santis and Gary W. Litman
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Larry J. Dishaw: University of South Florida Morsani College of Medicine, Children’s Research Institute
Brittany Leigh: College of Marine Sciences, University of South Florida St Petersburg
John P. Cannon: University of South Florida Morsani College of Medicine, Children’s Research Institute
Assunta Liberti: Stazione Zoologica Anton Dohrn
M. Gail Mueller: University of South Florida Morsani College of Medicine, Children’s Research Institute
Diana P. Skapura: All Children’s Hospital Johns Hopkins Medicine
Charlotte R. Karrer: University of South Florida Morsani College of Medicine, Children’s Research Institute
Maria R. Pinto: Stazione Zoologica Anton Dohrn
Rosaria De Santis: Stazione Zoologica Anton Dohrn
Gary W. Litman: University of South Florida Morsani College of Medicine, Children’s Research Institute

Nature Communications, 2016, vol. 7, issue 1, 1-9

Abstract: Abstract Protochordate variable region-containing chitin-binding proteins (VCBPs) consist of immunoglobulin-type V domains and a chitin-binding domain (CBD). VCBP V domains facilitate phagocytosis of bacteria by granulocytic amoebocytes; the function of the CBD is not understood. Here we show that the gut mucosa of Ciona intestinalis contains an extensive matrix of chitin fibrils to which VCBPs bind early in gut development, before feeding. Later in development, VCBPs and bacteria colocalize to chitin-rich mucus along the intestinal wall. VCBP-C influences biofilm formation in vitro and, collectively, the findings of this study suggest that VCBP-C may influence the overall settlement and colonization of bacteria in the Ciona gut. Basic relationships between soluble immunoglobulin-type molecules, endogenous chitin and bacteria arose early in chordate evolution and are integral to the overall function of the gut barrier.

Date: 2016
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DOI: 10.1038/ncomms10617

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