Total parenteral nutrition-associated changes in mouse intestinal intraepithelial lymphocytes

Intraepithelial lymphocytes (IEL) play a major role in mucosal defense mechanisms against intraluminal foreign antigens. To address the role luminal nutrients have on the phenotype and function of the IEL, we administered total parenteral nutrition (TPN) to mice, with the absence of enteral intake. We hypothesized that administration of TPN would result in changes in the phenotype and function of the IEL. For this, we utilized a mouse model of TPN. A significant decline in the CD4⁺ IEL population occurred with TPN. Additionally, the CD8⁺, CD44⁺ IEL subset showed a 65% decline (P < 0.05), and the CD4⁺, CD44⁺ subset declined by 55% with TPN (P < 0.05). The CD8αβ⁺ population (a marker of thymic-dependence) also declined by 92% (P < 0.01) with TPN. IEL in the TPN group showed a significantly lower degree of in vitro proliferation. In conclusion, the IEL showed significant phenotypic changes with TPN including the loss of the thymic-derived population. Functionally, the IEL showed a significant decline in proliferation. Such changes demonstrate the important role luminal nutrients have on IEL phenotype and function.