Epithelial sensing of vitamin A shapes intestinal antimicrobial defense

Quinn, G.; Propheter, D. C.; Kulkarni, K.; Johnson, M.; Vale, G.; McDonald, J. G.; Johnson, A.; Hassell, B.; Behrendt, C. L.; Munshi, N. V.; Hooper, L. V.

doi:10.64898/2026.03.08.710399

bioRxiv · 10.64898/2026.03.08.710399

Epithelial sensing of vitamin A shapes intestinal antimicrobial defense

Quinn, G.·Propheter, D. C.·Kulkarni, K.·Johnson, M.·Vale, G.·McDonald, J. G.·Johnson, A.·Hassell, B.·Behrendt, C. L.·Munshi, N. V.·Hooper, L. V.

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Abstract

Vitamin A is a central regulator of intestinal adaptive immunity, but its role in innate immunity is less defined. Antimicrobial proteins form a chemical barrier that protects the intestinal epithelium from microbial invasion. Among these, REG3 family lectins are induced by the microbiota, yet how nutritional cues intersect with microbial signals to control their expression remains unclear. Here, we show that dietary vitamin A promotes expression of REG3 antimicrobial lectins, including REG3G, in intestinal epithelial cells from both mice and humans. This induction is mediated by retinoic acid and requires retinoic acid receptor (RAR) signaling. Mechanistically, RARs bind directly to the Reg3g promoter adjacent to a STAT3 binding site. As STAT3 mediates microbiota-induced IL-22 signaling in epithelial cells, this arrangement provides a molecular framework for integrating nutritional and microbial inputs at the level of REG3G transcription. Extending these findings, we demonstrate that vitamin A-retinoic acid signaling similarly promotes expression of -defensin antimicrobial proteins. Together, these findings define a transcriptional mechanism by which vitamin A enhances epithelial antimicrobial defenses and strengthens mucosal innate immunity. Graphical Abstract O_FIG O_LINKSMALLFIG WIDTH=200 HEIGHT=187 SRC="FIGDIR/small/710399v1_ufig1.gif" ALT="Figure 1"> View larger version (53K): org.highwire.dtl.DTLVardef@18dd8aforg.highwire.dtl.DTLVardef@18cf2fdorg.highwire.dtl.DTLVardef@a4dc89org.highwire.dtl.DTLVardef@18aa9c7_HPS_FORMAT_FIGEXP M_FIG C_FIG HighlightsO_LIVitamin A promotes epithelial expression of REG3 antimicrobial proteins in the intestine C_LIO_LIRetinoic acid receptors (RARs) directly activate mouse Reg3g and human REG3G transcription C_LIO_LIRARs bind the Reg3g promoter adjacent to STAT3, integrating nutritional and microbial signals C_LIO_LIVitamin A-RAR signaling broadly regulates epithelial antimicrobial programs, including -defensins C_LI

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Quinn, G., Propheter, D. C., Kulkarni, K., Johnson, M., Vale, G., McDonald, J. G., Johnson, A., Hassell, B., Behrendt, C. L., Munshi, N. V., Hooper, L. V.. 2026-03-10. Epithelial sensing of vitamin A shapes intestinal antimicrobial defense. https://doi.org/10.64898/2026.03.08.710399

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