Extended Data Fig. 11: Model.
From: Epithelial IFNγ signalling and compartmentalized antigen presentation orchestrate gut immunity
Upon sensing IFN-γ, colonic epithelial cells productively present pathogen-derived and self-antigens to the cognate intraepithelial T cells, critically situated at the epithelial barrier. Antigen presentation by the epithelial cells induces extracellular adenosine triphosphatase (ATPase) expression in the cognate intraepithelial T cells, which limits accumulation of extracellular ATP and resultant activation of the NLRP3 inflammasome in macrophages resident in the tissue. In contrast, macrophage antigen presentation alongside inflammasome-associated interleukin 1 alpha (IL-1α) and IL-1β production elicits pathogenic transformation of CD4-positive T cells into granulocyte-macrophage colony stimulating factor (GM-CSF)-producing T cells in vivo, promoting colitis and colorectal carcinogenesis. The figure was created using BioRender (https://biorender.com).
