Intestine metrnl acts as a local regulator released into gut lumen and maintaining gut antimicrobial peptides

OBJECTIVE Metrnl is a novel secreted protein with limited researches.In this study,we investigated metrnl tissue expression pattern in humans,and exploredthe possible role of its highest expression using animal models.METHODS We examined metrnl tissue expression pattern in a human tissue microarray containing 19types of tissues from 69 donors,and verified the highest expression in fresh human and mouse tissues.We then created an animal model of cell-specific knockout mice to study the role of metrnl.RESULTS Metrnl was the highest expressed in human gastrointestinal tract,and specifical y expressed in the intestinal epithelium.Consistently,Metrnl expression was also the highest expressed in mouse gastrointestinal tract among the detected tissues of 14 types.We developed intestinal epithelial cellspecific metrnl knockout mice with Vil in-Cre.In this animal model,metrnl levels displayed a statistically significant reduction in gut fluid,but not in blood serum.This cell specific deletion of metrnl did not affect body weight,food intake,blood glucose,colon length and histology,intestinal permeability,mucus production and mucin 2 expression under physiological conditions,but markedly reduced the expression of antimicrobial peptides,such as regenerating islet-derived 3 gamma and lactotransferrin.CONCLUSION Metrnl is rich in intestinal epithelial cells of humans and mice,mainly contributing to local gut metrnl level,and less affecting systemic circulating metrnl level.Metrnl plays a role in maintaining gut antimicrobial peptides.