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University of Wisconsin-Madison

Drug ACTION Specific Seminar – Nan Gao, PhD

Drug ACTION Specific Seminar – Nan Gao, PhD


November 8, 2024

Pharmaceutical Sciences Seminar Series

(Drug ACTION Specific Seminar)

  • Nan Gao, PhD
  • Rutgers University

Non-canonical Paneth cell functions regulate intestinal inflammatory response

Paneth cells are the primary source of C-type lysozyme, a β-1,4-N-acetylmuramoylhydrolase that enzymatically processes bacterial cell walls. Aberrant lysozyme production are hallmarks of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) pathology. I will show experiments that demonstrate the impact of lack or ectopic lysozyme production on colonic inflammation. I will also show data about how Lyz1-deficiency modulates the gut bacterial composition and intestinal immune responses to bacterial molecular patterns. I will present biochemical and immunology evidence to suggest that Paneth cell lysozyme balances intestinal anti- and pro-inflammatory responses.

In addition, I will shed light on our recent finding that a direct engagement of intestinal lysozyme with enteric pathogens such as Salmonella promotes the release of bacterial virulence factors that are barrier-impairing and pro-inflammatory.

In the end I’ll discuss our ongoing work investigating the Paneth cell subsets that may be important for host responses to infection and inflammation.

Hosted by Ting Fu

777 Highland Ave
Madison, WI 53705
United States