Figure 7. Proposed model of how WD triggers Paneth cell defects.
Our current study shows that potent environmental factors (such as WD consumption) could induce Paneth cell defects without host genetic susceptibility. WD induces FXR signaling that directly target Paneth cells, and also induces type I IFN production in myeloid cells such as macrophages. Both FXR and type I IFN signaling are required to trigger Paneth cell defects.