Targeted transcriptome analysis of isolated intestinal epithelial cells from mice with constitutive Ptpn2-deficiency [Cecum]

Loss-of-function variants in the protein tyrosine phosphatase non-receptor type 2 (PTPN2) gene are associated with increased risk of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). PTPN2 encodes T cell protein tyrosine phosphatase (TCPTP), a negative regulator of several intracellular signaling pathways including JAK-STAT. It has been shown that Ptpn2 is critical for intestinal epithelial cell (IEC) barrier maintenance, IEC-macrophage communication, and modulation of the gut microbiome in mice. However, the mechanisms by which Ptpn2 influences the intestinal flora are unknown. In this study, we aimed to identify how Ptpn2-loss affects the expression of genes associated with function/differentiation of IECs in the small and large intestines that could contribute to higher susceptibility to infection. Intestinal epithelial cells were isolated from 21 days old mice (littermates) as Ptpn2-KO mice are normal at birth but die within 3-5 weeks of age. Total RNA was used. Results of two separate panels with a predefined set of targets ('AutoImmune Profiling’ and ‘PanCancer Pathways') from the same intestinal segment were combined for analysis, with the addition of 30 customized targets to each panel comprising of IEC markers, function and differentiation factors, host-bacteria interaction, autophagy, immune response and iron transport, totaling >1500 targets. Data from each panel was normalized separately and then consolidated using the MultiRLF function in the nSolver Analysis Software 4.0.