Endoplasmic Reticulum Stress in the Intestinal Epithelium Initiates Purine Metabolite Synthesis and Promotes Th17 Cell Differentiation in the Gut

Researchers found that Th17 cell-inducing gut bacteria generated an unfolded protein response (UPR) in intestinal epithelial cells (IECs). Subtilase cytotoxin expression or genetic removal of X-box binding protein 1 in IECs caused a UPR and increased Th17 cells, even in antibiotic-treated or germ-free conditions.