Distinct Single-Cell Expression Pattern of the Soluble Epoxide Hydrolase and Cytochrome p450 Epoxygenases in Human and Mouse Small Intestinal Epithelia.

Abstract

Lipid signaling molecules are essential for maintaining intestinal mucosal barrier homeostasis. Over 80% of polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) are metabolized through the cytochrome P450 epoxygenase (CYP)-soluble epoxide hydrolase (sEH) axis, generating bioactive epoxy and diol fatty acids. However, the expression patterns and functional roles of these enzymes in the intestinal epithelium remain poorly defined. To address this, we used RNAscope in situ hybridization and publicly available single-cell RNA sequencing (scRNAseq) datasets to map the cell-type-specific expression of PUFA-metabolizing enzymes in the small intestine. In humans, we identified three major epithelial expression patterns: (1) stem-cell-dominant (CYP2E1), (2) enterocyte-dominant (CYP1A1), and (3) widespread expression across epithelial subsets for key CYP epoxygenases (CYP2C8, 2C9, 2C18, 2C19, 2J2, 2S1), sEH, and additional CYPs (3A4, 4A11, 4F2, 4F3, 4F8, 4F12). In mice, five distinct expression patterns were found: (1) stem cell and transit-amplifying cells (CYP2E1), (2) transit-amplifying dominant (CYP4F18), (3) transit-amplifying and enterocytes (CYP2C44), (4) enterocyte-dominant (CYP1A1), and (5) broadly expressed across all epithelial clusters (sEH, CYP2B10, 2S1, 2C55, 4F13, 4F16). Furthermore, in a radiation-induced small-bowel injury-regeneration model, we observed dynamic changes in CYP expression patterns. These findings provide the first high-resolution single-cell atlas of CYP-sEH axis enzymes in the intestinal epithelium, offering key insights into their potential roles in epithelial differentiation, injury response, and mucosal barrier integrity. This foundational work enables future studies to define the biological functions and therapeutic relevance of PUFA-derived lipid mediators in intestinal health and disease.