Marine Science Faculty Publications
Document Type
Article
Publication Date
2-15-2016
Keywords
Bacteriology, Microbiome, Mucosal immunology, Polysaccharides
Digital Object Identifier (DOI)
https://doi.org/10.1038/ncomms10617
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.
Rights Information
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 License.
Was this content written or created while at USF?
Yes
Citation / Publisher Attribution
Nature Communications, v. 7, art. 10617
Scholar Commons Citation
Dishaw, Larry J.; Leigh, Brittany; Cannon, John P.; Liberti, Assunta; Mueller, M. Gail; Skapura, Diana P.; Karrer, Charlotte R.; Pinto, Maria R.; De Santis, Rosaria; and Litman, Gary W., "Gut Immunity in a Protochordate Involves a Secreted Immunoglobulin-type Mediator Binding Host Chitin and Bacteria" (2016). Marine Science Faculty Publications. 255.
https://digitalcommons.usf.edu/msc_facpub/255
