Go to JCI Insight
  • About
  • Editors
  • Consulting Editors
  • For authors
  • Publication ethics
  • Publication alerts by email
  • Advertising
  • Job board
  • Contact
  • Clinical Research and Public Health
  • Current issue
  • Past issues
  • By specialty
    • COVID-19
    • Cardiology
    • Gastroenterology
    • Immunology
    • Metabolism
    • Nephrology
    • Neuroscience
    • Oncology
    • Pulmonology
    • Vascular biology
    • All ...
  • Videos
    • Conversations with Giants in Medicine
    • Video Abstracts
  • Reviews
    • View all reviews ...
    • Pancreatic Cancer (Jul 2025)
    • Complement Biology and Therapeutics (May 2025)
    • Evolving insights into MASLD and MASH pathogenesis and treatment (Apr 2025)
    • Microbiome in Health and Disease (Feb 2025)
    • Substance Use Disorders (Oct 2024)
    • Clonal Hematopoiesis (Oct 2024)
    • Sex Differences in Medicine (Sep 2024)
    • View all review series ...
  • Viewpoint
  • Collections
    • In-Press Preview
    • Clinical Research and Public Health
    • Research Letters
    • Letters to the Editor
    • Editorials
    • Commentaries
    • Editor's notes
    • Reviews
    • Viewpoints
    • 100th anniversary
    • Top read articles

  • Current issue
  • Past issues
  • Specialties
  • Reviews
  • Review series
  • Conversations with Giants in Medicine
  • Video Abstracts
  • In-Press Preview
  • Clinical Research and Public Health
  • Research Letters
  • Letters to the Editor
  • Editorials
  • Commentaries
  • Editor's notes
  • Reviews
  • Viewpoints
  • 100th anniversary
  • Top read articles
  • About
  • Editors
  • Consulting Editors
  • For authors
  • Publication ethics
  • Publication alerts by email
  • Advertising
  • Job board
  • Contact
Top
  • View PDF
  • Download citation information
  • Send a comment
  • Terms of use
  • Standard abbreviations
  • Need help? Email the journal
  • Top
  • Abstract
  • Supplemental material
  • Version history
  • Article usage
  • Citations to this article

Advertisement

ResearchIn-Press PreviewGastroenterologyImmunology Open Access | 10.1172/JCI183093

NFAT5 dictates crosstalk between intestinal epithelial regenerative capacity and microbiota in murine colitis models

Se Hyeon Park,1 Dae Hee Cheon,2 Yu-Mi Kim,1 Yeji Choi,2 Yong-Joon Cho,3 Bong-Ki Hong,1 Sang-Hyun Cho,4 Mi‑Na Kweon,5 Hyug Moo Kwon,6 Eugene B. Chang,7 Donghyun Kim,2 and Wan-Uk Kim1

1Center for Integrative Rheumatoid Transcriptomics and Dynamics, The Catholic University of Korea, Seoul, Korea, Republic of

2Department of Biomedical Sciences, Seoul National University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea, Republic of

3Department of Molecular Bioscience, Kangwon National University, Chuncheon, Korea, Republic of

4School of Biological Sciences, Seoul National University, Seoul, Korea, Republic of

5Mucosal Immunology Laboratory, Department of Convergence Medicine, University of Ulsan College of Medicine, Asan Medical Center, Seoul, Korea, Republic of

6Department of Biological Sciences, Ulsan National Institute of Science and Technology, Ulsan, Korea, Republic of

7Department of Medicine, Section of Gastroenterology, University of Chicago IBD Research Center, Chicago, United States of America

Find articles by Park, S. in: PubMed | Google Scholar

1Center for Integrative Rheumatoid Transcriptomics and Dynamics, The Catholic University of Korea, Seoul, Korea, Republic of

2Department of Biomedical Sciences, Seoul National University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea, Republic of

3Department of Molecular Bioscience, Kangwon National University, Chuncheon, Korea, Republic of

4School of Biological Sciences, Seoul National University, Seoul, Korea, Republic of

5Mucosal Immunology Laboratory, Department of Convergence Medicine, University of Ulsan College of Medicine, Asan Medical Center, Seoul, Korea, Republic of

6Department of Biological Sciences, Ulsan National Institute of Science and Technology, Ulsan, Korea, Republic of

7Department of Medicine, Section of Gastroenterology, University of Chicago IBD Research Center, Chicago, United States of America

Find articles by Cheon, D. in: PubMed | Google Scholar

1Center for Integrative Rheumatoid Transcriptomics and Dynamics, The Catholic University of Korea, Seoul, Korea, Republic of

2Department of Biomedical Sciences, Seoul National University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea, Republic of

3Department of Molecular Bioscience, Kangwon National University, Chuncheon, Korea, Republic of

4School of Biological Sciences, Seoul National University, Seoul, Korea, Republic of

5Mucosal Immunology Laboratory, Department of Convergence Medicine, University of Ulsan College of Medicine, Asan Medical Center, Seoul, Korea, Republic of

6Department of Biological Sciences, Ulsan National Institute of Science and Technology, Ulsan, Korea, Republic of

7Department of Medicine, Section of Gastroenterology, University of Chicago IBD Research Center, Chicago, United States of America

Find articles by Kim, Y. in: PubMed | Google Scholar

1Center for Integrative Rheumatoid Transcriptomics and Dynamics, The Catholic University of Korea, Seoul, Korea, Republic of

2Department of Biomedical Sciences, Seoul National University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea, Republic of

3Department of Molecular Bioscience, Kangwon National University, Chuncheon, Korea, Republic of

4School of Biological Sciences, Seoul National University, Seoul, Korea, Republic of

5Mucosal Immunology Laboratory, Department of Convergence Medicine, University of Ulsan College of Medicine, Asan Medical Center, Seoul, Korea, Republic of

6Department of Biological Sciences, Ulsan National Institute of Science and Technology, Ulsan, Korea, Republic of

7Department of Medicine, Section of Gastroenterology, University of Chicago IBD Research Center, Chicago, United States of America

Find articles by Choi, Y. in: PubMed | Google Scholar

1Center for Integrative Rheumatoid Transcriptomics and Dynamics, The Catholic University of Korea, Seoul, Korea, Republic of

2Department of Biomedical Sciences, Seoul National University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea, Republic of

3Department of Molecular Bioscience, Kangwon National University, Chuncheon, Korea, Republic of

4School of Biological Sciences, Seoul National University, Seoul, Korea, Republic of

5Mucosal Immunology Laboratory, Department of Convergence Medicine, University of Ulsan College of Medicine, Asan Medical Center, Seoul, Korea, Republic of

6Department of Biological Sciences, Ulsan National Institute of Science and Technology, Ulsan, Korea, Republic of

7Department of Medicine, Section of Gastroenterology, University of Chicago IBD Research Center, Chicago, United States of America

Find articles by Cho, Y. in: PubMed | Google Scholar

1Center for Integrative Rheumatoid Transcriptomics and Dynamics, The Catholic University of Korea, Seoul, Korea, Republic of

2Department of Biomedical Sciences, Seoul National University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea, Republic of

3Department of Molecular Bioscience, Kangwon National University, Chuncheon, Korea, Republic of

4School of Biological Sciences, Seoul National University, Seoul, Korea, Republic of

5Mucosal Immunology Laboratory, Department of Convergence Medicine, University of Ulsan College of Medicine, Asan Medical Center, Seoul, Korea, Republic of

6Department of Biological Sciences, Ulsan National Institute of Science and Technology, Ulsan, Korea, Republic of

7Department of Medicine, Section of Gastroenterology, University of Chicago IBD Research Center, Chicago, United States of America

Find articles by Hong, B. in: PubMed | Google Scholar

1Center for Integrative Rheumatoid Transcriptomics and Dynamics, The Catholic University of Korea, Seoul, Korea, Republic of

2Department of Biomedical Sciences, Seoul National University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea, Republic of

3Department of Molecular Bioscience, Kangwon National University, Chuncheon, Korea, Republic of

4School of Biological Sciences, Seoul National University, Seoul, Korea, Republic of

5Mucosal Immunology Laboratory, Department of Convergence Medicine, University of Ulsan College of Medicine, Asan Medical Center, Seoul, Korea, Republic of

6Department of Biological Sciences, Ulsan National Institute of Science and Technology, Ulsan, Korea, Republic of

7Department of Medicine, Section of Gastroenterology, University of Chicago IBD Research Center, Chicago, United States of America

Find articles by Cho, S. in: PubMed | Google Scholar

1Center for Integrative Rheumatoid Transcriptomics and Dynamics, The Catholic University of Korea, Seoul, Korea, Republic of

2Department of Biomedical Sciences, Seoul National University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea, Republic of

3Department of Molecular Bioscience, Kangwon National University, Chuncheon, Korea, Republic of

4School of Biological Sciences, Seoul National University, Seoul, Korea, Republic of

5Mucosal Immunology Laboratory, Department of Convergence Medicine, University of Ulsan College of Medicine, Asan Medical Center, Seoul, Korea, Republic of

6Department of Biological Sciences, Ulsan National Institute of Science and Technology, Ulsan, Korea, Republic of

7Department of Medicine, Section of Gastroenterology, University of Chicago IBD Research Center, Chicago, United States of America

Find articles by Kweon, M. in: PubMed | Google Scholar

1Center for Integrative Rheumatoid Transcriptomics and Dynamics, The Catholic University of Korea, Seoul, Korea, Republic of

2Department of Biomedical Sciences, Seoul National University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea, Republic of

3Department of Molecular Bioscience, Kangwon National University, Chuncheon, Korea, Republic of

4School of Biological Sciences, Seoul National University, Seoul, Korea, Republic of

5Mucosal Immunology Laboratory, Department of Convergence Medicine, University of Ulsan College of Medicine, Asan Medical Center, Seoul, Korea, Republic of

6Department of Biological Sciences, Ulsan National Institute of Science and Technology, Ulsan, Korea, Republic of

7Department of Medicine, Section of Gastroenterology, University of Chicago IBD Research Center, Chicago, United States of America

Find articles by Kwon, H. in: PubMed | Google Scholar

1Center for Integrative Rheumatoid Transcriptomics and Dynamics, The Catholic University of Korea, Seoul, Korea, Republic of

2Department of Biomedical Sciences, Seoul National University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea, Republic of

3Department of Molecular Bioscience, Kangwon National University, Chuncheon, Korea, Republic of

4School of Biological Sciences, Seoul National University, Seoul, Korea, Republic of

5Mucosal Immunology Laboratory, Department of Convergence Medicine, University of Ulsan College of Medicine, Asan Medical Center, Seoul, Korea, Republic of

6Department of Biological Sciences, Ulsan National Institute of Science and Technology, Ulsan, Korea, Republic of

7Department of Medicine, Section of Gastroenterology, University of Chicago IBD Research Center, Chicago, United States of America

Find articles by Chang, E. in: PubMed | Google Scholar |

1Center for Integrative Rheumatoid Transcriptomics and Dynamics, The Catholic University of Korea, Seoul, Korea, Republic of

2Department of Biomedical Sciences, Seoul National University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea, Republic of

3Department of Molecular Bioscience, Kangwon National University, Chuncheon, Korea, Republic of

4School of Biological Sciences, Seoul National University, Seoul, Korea, Republic of

5Mucosal Immunology Laboratory, Department of Convergence Medicine, University of Ulsan College of Medicine, Asan Medical Center, Seoul, Korea, Republic of

6Department of Biological Sciences, Ulsan National Institute of Science and Technology, Ulsan, Korea, Republic of

7Department of Medicine, Section of Gastroenterology, University of Chicago IBD Research Center, Chicago, United States of America

Find articles by Kim, D. in: PubMed | Google Scholar |

1Center for Integrative Rheumatoid Transcriptomics and Dynamics, The Catholic University of Korea, Seoul, Korea, Republic of

2Department of Biomedical Sciences, Seoul National University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea, Republic of

3Department of Molecular Bioscience, Kangwon National University, Chuncheon, Korea, Republic of

4School of Biological Sciences, Seoul National University, Seoul, Korea, Republic of

5Mucosal Immunology Laboratory, Department of Convergence Medicine, University of Ulsan College of Medicine, Asan Medical Center, Seoul, Korea, Republic of

6Department of Biological Sciences, Ulsan National Institute of Science and Technology, Ulsan, Korea, Republic of

7Department of Medicine, Section of Gastroenterology, University of Chicago IBD Research Center, Chicago, United States of America

Find articles by Kim, W. in: PubMed | Google Scholar |

Published July 15, 2025 - More info

J Clin Invest. https://doi.org/10.1172/JCI183093.
Copyright © 2025, Park et al. This work is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License. To view a copy of this license, visit http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/.
Published July 15, 2025 - Version history
View PDF
Abstract

Hypertonic and hyperosmolar stimuli frequently pose challenges to the intestinal tract. Therefore, a resilient epithelial barrier is essential for maintaining gut homeostasis in the presence of osmotic perturbations. NFAT5, an osmosensitive transcription factor, primarily maintains cellular homeostasis under hypertonic conditions. However, the osmoprotective role of NFAT5 in enterocyte homeostasis is poorly understood. Here, we demonstrate that NFAT5 is critical for the survival and proliferation of intestinal epithelial cells (IECs) and that its deficiency accelerates chemically induced or spontaneous colitis in mice. Mechanistically, NFAT5 promotes the survival of IECs and the renewal of intestinal stem cells, thereby regulating the production of mucus and antimicrobial compounds, including RegIII and lysozyme, which consequently shape the gut microbial composition to prevent colitis. Transcriptome analysis identifies HSP70 as a key downstream target of NFAT5 in epithelial regeneration. Loss- and gain-of-function experiments of HSP70 revealed that NFAT5 mitigates experimental colitis through IEC Hsp70, which protected stem cells from inflammation-induced injury and maintained barrier function. In conclusion, our study demonstrates a previously unknown role for NFAT5 in dictating the crosstalk between intestinal stem cells and the microbiota, underscoring the importance of the NFAT5–HSP70 axis in maintaining epithelial regeneration related to gut barrier function, balancing microbial composition, and subsequently preventing colitis progression.

Graphical Abstract
graphical abstract
Supplemental material

View Unedited blot and gel images

View Cover letter

View

Version history
  • Version 1 (July 15, 2025): In-Press Preview

Article tools

  • View PDF
  • Download citation information
  • Send a comment
  • Terms of use
  • Standard abbreviations
  • Need help? Email the journal

Metrics

  • Article usage
  • Citations to this article

Go to

  • Top
  • Abstract
  • Supplemental material
  • Version history
Advertisement
Advertisement

Copyright © 2025 American Society for Clinical Investigation
ISSN: 0021-9738 (print), 1558-8238 (online)

Sign up for email alerts