Multi-omics Uncover Neonatal Cecal Cell Development Potentials

BackgroundAlthough, the cecum plays vital roles in absorption of water, electrolytes, and other small molecules, and harbors trillions of commensal bacteria to shape large intestine immune functions, it is unknown the cecum development potentials at single cell level during the very crucial neonatal developmental period.ResultsUsing singe cell RNA-seq and proteomics, we have characterized six major types of cecal epithelial cells: undifferentiated cells; immune cells (Ims); cecumocytes (CCs); goblet, Paneth like cells (PLCs), and enteroendocrine cells (EECs) with specific marker genes. CCs mature with a gradual decrease in number; however, Ims develop with a continuing increase in number. Meanwhile secretory cells (goblet, PLCs, EECs) reduce in number during the neonatal developmental period. The cells exhibit specific development and maturation trends controlled by transcriptional factors, ligand-receptor pairs, and other factors. As piglets grow, cecal content and mucosal microbial diversity increases dramatically with population of beneficial microbiota, such as lactobacillus, increasing significantly. Moreover, cecal mucosal-associated and cecal content microbiota are positively correlated and both show significant correlation with different types of cecal epithelial cells and plasma metabolites. ConclusionsThis is the first presentation of neonatal cecal cell development and maturation naturally at single cell level with transcript, protein, microbiota and metabolism perspectives. Furthermore, this study provides an important tool for the determination of novel interventions in cecal drug delivery and metabolism studies.