title: Critical design aspects involved in the study of Paneth cells and the intestinal microbiota.
abstract: Paneth cells are long-lived secretory cells that reside in the base of the crypts of Lieberkühn of the small intestine. They produce an arsenal of molecules that are involved in numerous biological processes, ranging from the control of gut microbial populations to supporting the intestinal stem cell niche. Because of these important functions, Paneth cell abnormalities are becoming implicated in a variety of disease processes. As such, it is necessary to establish parameters that will allow for the comprehensive study of Paneth cells in health and disease. In this addendum, we highlight critical design aspects involved in the study of Paneth cells and their downstream effects on the intestinal microbiota. The importance of this approach is demonstrated by our recent findings that Nod2 does not regulate mouse Paneth cell antimicrobial function, in contrast to previous reports. This work defines key issues to consider when studying Paneth cells in mouse systems.
authors.affiliation: Department of Medicine; Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology; University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill; Chapel Hill, NC USA.
authors.forename: Michael T
authors.initials: MT
authors.lastname: Shanahan
authors.affiliation: Department of Medicine; Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology; University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill; Chapel Hill, NC USA.
authors.forename: Ian M
authors.initials: IM
authors.lastname: Carroll
authors.affiliation: Department of Pediatrics; Division of Gastroenterology; University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill; Chapel Hill, NC USA.
authors.forename: Ajay S
authors.initials: AS
authors.lastname: Gulati
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D023082:Defensins / Q000378:metabolism; D006801:Humans; D007422:Intestines / Q000382:microbiology*; D051379:Mice; D064307:Microbiota / Q000502:physiology*; D053473:Nod2 Signaling Adaptor Protein / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D019879:Paneth Cells / Q000378:metabolism*
chemical_list: D023082:Defensins; D053473:Nod2 Signaling Adaptor Protein
keywords: Nod2; Paneth cell; background strain; defensin; inflammatory bowel diseases; microbiota