Single cell analysis via mass cytometry of spontaneous intestinal perforation reveals alterations in small intestinal innate and adaptive mucosal immunity

Introduction: Spontaneous intestinal perforation (SIP) is a poorly understood severe gastrointestinal complications of prematurity which is poorly understood. Extremely premature infants born prior to 28 weeks' gestation develop a localized perforation of the terminal ileum during the first week of life and therapy involves surgery and cessation of enteral feeds. Little is known regardj g the impact of mucosal immune dysfunction on disease pathogenesis.

Methods: We performed mass cytometry time of flight (CyTOF) of small intestinal mucosa of patients with SIP (Gestational age (GA) 24 - 27 weeks, n=8) compared to patients who had surgery for non-SIP conditions (neonatal (GA >36 weeks, n=5 ) and fetal intestine from elective terminations (GA 18-21 weeks, n=4). CyTOF analysis after stimulation of T cells with PMA/Ionomycin was also performed.

Results: We noted changes in innate and adaptive mucosal immunity in SIP. SIP mucosa had an expansion of ckit+ neutrophils, an influx of naïve CD4 and CD8 T cells and a reduction of effector memory T cells. SIP T cells were characterized by reduced CCR6 and CXCR3 expression and increased interferon gamma expression after stimulation.

Discussion: These findings suggest that previously unrecognized immune dysregulation is associated with SIP and should be explored in future studies.