Gallbladder-derived surfactant protein D regulates gut commensal bacteria for maintaining intestinal homeostasis

Abstract

The commensal microbiota within the gastrointestinal tract is essential in maintaining homeostasis. Indeed, dysregulation in the repertoire of microbiota can result in the development of intestinal immune–inflammatory diseases. Further, this immune regulation by gut microbiota is important systemically, impacting health and disease of organ systems beyond the local environment of the gut. What has not been explored is how distant organs might in turn shape the microbiota via microbe-targeted molecules. Here, we provide evidence that surfactant protein D (SP-D) synthesized in the gallbladder and delivered into intestinal lumen binds selectively to species of gut commensal bacteria. SP-D–deficient mice manifest intestinal dysbiosis and show a susceptibility to dextran sulfate sodium-induced colitis. Further, fecal transfer from SP-D–deficient mice to wild-type, germ-free mice conveyed colitis susceptibility. Interestingly, colitis caused a notable increase in Sftpd gene expression in the gallbladder, but not in the lung, via the activity of glucocorticoids produced in the liver. These findings describe a unique mechanism of interorgan regulation of intestinal immune homeostasis by SP-D with potential clinical implications such as cholecystectomy.