Meng Wu, Wen Zheng, Xinyang Song, Bin Bao, Yuanyou Wang, Deepshika Ramanan, Daping Yang, Rui Liu, John C Macbeth, Elyza A Do, Warrison A Andrade, Tiandi Yang, Hyoung-Soo Cho, Francesca S Gazzaniga, Marit Ilves, Daniela Coronado, Charlotte Thompson, Saiyu Hang, Isaac M Chiu, Jeffrey R Moffitt, Ansel Hsiao, John J Mekalanos, Christophe Benoist, Dennis L Kasper
Canonically, the complement system is known for its rapid response to remove microbes in the bloodstream. However, relatively little is known about a functioning complement system on intestinal mucosal surfaces. Herein, we report the local synthesis of complement component 3 (C3) in the gut, primarily by stromal cells. C3 is expressed upon commensal colonization and is regulated by the composition of the microbiota in healthy humans and mice, leading to an individual host's specific luminal C3 levels. The absence of membrane attack complex (MAC) components in the gut ensures that C3 deposition does not result in the lysis of commensals...
February 15, 2024: Cell