Transcriptomic Reprogramming by LPCAT1 Overexpression Exacerbates Intestinal Epithelial Barrier Disruption

The intestinal epithelial barrier, as modeled by Caco-2 cells, is crucial for maintaining gut homeostasis and regulating inflammatory responses. This study investigates the role of the lipid metabolism gene LPCAT1 in modulating the transcriptome of Caco-2 cells under inflammatory conditions. We employed RNA sequencing to profile gene expression across four key conditions: wild-type and LPCAT1-overexpressing cells, each with or without TNF-alpha stimulation. Our comparative analysis reveals that LPCAT1 overexpression significantly amplifies the TNF-alpha-induced inflammatory signature, identifying a set of key dysregulated genes and pathways. These findings provide crucial insights into how LPCAT1 regulates the intestinal epithelial response to inflammation, positioning it as a potential amplifier of pro-inflammatory signaling in the gut barrier.