title: Identification of novel genes selectively expressed in the follicle-associated epithelium from the meta-analysis of transcriptomics data from multiple mouse cell and tissue populations.
abstract: The follicle-associated epithelium (FAE) overlying the Peyer's patches and the microfold cells (M cells) within it are important sites of antigen transcytosis across the intestinal epithelium. Using a meta-analysis approach, we identified a transcriptional signature that distinguished the FAE from a large collection of mouse cells and tissues. A co-expressed cluster of 21 FAE-specific genes was identified, and the analysis of the transcription factor binding site motifs in their promoter regions indicated that these genes shared an underlying transcriptional programme. This cluster contained known FAE- (Anxa10, Ccl20, Psg18 and Ubd) and M-cell-specific (Gp2) genes, suggesting that the others were novel FAE-specific genes. Some of these novel candidate genes were expressed highly by the FAE and M cells (Calcb, Ces3b, Clca2 and Gjb2), and others only by the FAE (Ascl2, Cftr, Fgf15, Gpr133, Kcna1, Kcnj15, Mycl1, Pgap1 and Rps6kl). We also identified a subset of novel FAE-related genes that were induced in the intestinal epithelium after receptor activator of nuclear factor (NF)-κB ligand stimulation. These included Mfge8 which was specific to FAE enterocytes. This study provides new insight into the FAE transcriptome. Further characterization of the candidate genes identified here will aid the identification of novel regulators of cell function in the FAE.
authors.affiliation: The Roslin Institute and Royal (Dick) School of Veterinary Sciences, University of Edinburgh, Easter Bush, Midlothian EH25 9RG, UK.
authors.forename: Atsushi
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Kobayashi
authors.forename: David S
authors.initials: DS
authors.lastname: Donaldson
authors.forename: Takashi
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Kanaya
authors.forename: Shinji
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Fukuda
authors.forename: J Kenneth
authors.initials: JK
authors.lastname: Baillie
authors.forename: Tom C
authors.initials: TC
authors.lastname: Freeman
authors.forename: Hiroshi
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Ohno
authors.forename: Ifor R
authors.initials: IR
authors.lastname: Williams
authors.forename: Neil A
authors.initials: NA
authors.lastname: Mabbott
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D000954:Antigens, Surface / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D000072259:Connexin 26; D017630:Connexins; D020895:Enterocytes / Q000378:metabolism; D007413:Intestinal Mucosa / Q000378:metabolism*; D051379:Mice; D008894:Milk Proteins / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D016328:NF-kappa B / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D009928:Organ Specificity; D010581:Peyer's Patches / Q000378:metabolism; D059467:Transcriptome
chemical_list: D000954:Antigens, Surface; D017630:Connexins; C000607042:GJB2 protein, human; C098942:MFGE8 protein, human; D008894:Milk Proteins; D016328:NF-kappa B; D000072259:Connexin 26