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Boem F, Greslehner GP, Konsman JP, Chiu L. Minding the gut: extending embodied cognition and perception to the gut complex. Front Neurosci 2024; 17:1172783. [PMID: 38260022 PMCID: PMC10800657 DOI: 10.3389/fnins.2023.1172783] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/23/2023] [Accepted: 10/30/2023] [Indexed: 01/24/2024] Open
Abstract
Scientific and philosophical accounts of cognition and perception have traditionally focused on the brain and external sense organs. The extended view of embodied cognition suggests including other parts of the body in these processes. However, one organ has often been overlooked: the gut. Frequently conceptualized as merely a tube for digesting food, there is much more to the gut than meets the eye. Having its own enteric nervous system, sometimes referred to as the "second brain," the gut is also an immune organ and has a large surface area interacting with gut microbiota. The gut has been shown to play an important role in many physiological processes, and may arguably do so as well in perception and cognition. We argue that proposals of embodied perception and cognition should take into account the role of the "gut complex," which considers the enteric nervous, endocrine, immune, and microbiota systems as well as gut tissue and mucosal structures. The gut complex is an interface between bodily tissues and the "internalized external environment" of the gut lumen, involved in many aspects of organismic activity beyond food intake. We thus extend current embodiment theories and suggest a more inclusive account of how to "mind the gut" in studying cognitive processes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Federico Boem
- Section Philosophy, University of Twente, Enschede, Netherlands
| | | | - Jan Pieter Konsman
- IMMUNOlogy from CONcepts and ExPeriments to Translation, CNRS UMR, University of Bordeaux, Bordeaux, France
| | - Lynn Chiu
- Department of Evolutionary Biology, University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
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2
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Zholos AV, Melnyk MI, Dryn DO. Molecular mechanisms of cholinergic neurotransmission in visceral smooth muscles with a focus on receptor-operated TRPC4 channel and impairment of gastrointestinal motility by general anaesthetics and anxiolytics. Neuropharmacology 2024; 242:109776. [PMID: 37913983 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuropharm.2023.109776] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/08/2023] [Revised: 10/13/2023] [Accepted: 10/23/2023] [Indexed: 11/03/2023]
Abstract
Acetylcholine is the primary excitatory neurotransmitter in visceral smooth muscles, wherein it binds to and activates two muscarinic receptors subtypes, M2 and M3, thus causing smooth muscle excitation and contraction. The first part of this review focuses on the types of cells involved in cholinergic neurotransmission and on the molecular mechanisms underlying acetylcholine-induced membrane depolarisation, which is the central event of excitation-contraction coupling causing Ca2+ entry via L-type Ca2+ channels and smooth muscle contraction. Studies of the muscarinic cation current in intestinal myocytes (mICAT) revealed its main molecular counterpart, receptor-operated TRPC4 channel, which is activated in synergy by both M2 and M3 receptors. M3 receptors activation is of permissive nature, while activation of M2 receptors via Gi/o proteins that are coupled to them plays a direct role in TRPC4 opening. Our understanding of signalling pathways underlying mICAT generation has vastly expanded in recent years through studies of TRPC4 gating in native cells and its regulation in heterologous cells. Recent studies using muscarinic receptor knockout have established that at low agonist concentration activation of both M2 receptor and the M2/M3 receptor complex elicits smooth muscle contraction, while at high agonist concentration M3 receptor function becomes dominant. Based on this knowledge, in the second part of this review we discuss the cellular and molecular mechanisms underlying the numerous anticholinergic effects on neuroactive drugs, in particular general anaesthetics and anxiolytics, which can significantly impair gastrointestinal motility. This article is part of the Special Issue on "Ukrainian Neuroscience".
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Affiliation(s)
- Alexander V Zholos
- Educational and Scientific Centre "Institute of Biology and Medicine", Taras Shevchenko National University of Kyiv, Kyiv, Ukraine.
| | - Mariia I Melnyk
- Educational and Scientific Centre "Institute of Biology and Medicine", Taras Shevchenko National University of Kyiv, Kyiv, Ukraine; A.A. Bogomoletz Institute of Physiology, National Academy of Sciences of Ukraine, Kyiv, Ukraine
| | - Dariia O Dryn
- A.A. Bogomoletz Institute of Physiology, National Academy of Sciences of Ukraine, Kyiv, Ukraine
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3
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Noemi CN, Bob P, Bókkon I. Long-Term Implicit Epigenetic Stress Information in the Enteric Nervous System and its Contribution to Developing and Perpetuating IBS. Curr Neuropharmacol 2024; 22:2100-2112. [PMID: 38726788 PMCID: PMC11337685 DOI: 10.2174/1570159x22666240507095700] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/23/2024] [Revised: 04/14/2024] [Accepted: 04/24/2024] [Indexed: 08/23/2024] Open
Abstract
Psychiatric and mood disorders may play an important role in the development and persistence of irritable bowel syndrome (IBS). Previously, we hypothesized that stress-induced implicit memories may persist throughout life via epigenetic processes in the enteric nervous system (ENS), independent of the central nervous system (CNS). These epigenetic memories in the ENS may contribute to developing and perpetuating IBS. Here, we further elaborate on our earlier hypothesis. That is, during pregnancy, maternal prenatal stresses perturb the HPA axis and increase circulating cortisol levels, which can affect the maternal gut microbiota. Maternal cortisol can cross the placental barrier and increase cortisol-circulating levels in the fetus. This leads to dysregulation of the HPA axis, affecting the gut microbiota, microbial metabolites, and intestinal permeability in the fetus. Microbial metabolites, such as short-chain fatty acids (which also regulate the development of fetal ENS), can modulate a range of diseases by inducing epigenetic changes. These mentioned processes suggest that stress-related, implicit, long-term epigenetic memories may be programmed into the fetal ENS during pregnancy. Subsequently, this implicit epigenetic stress information from the fetal ENS could be conveyed to the CNS through the bidirectional microbiota-gut-brain axis (MGBA), leading to perturbed functional connectivity among various brain networks and the dysregulation of affective and pain processes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Császár-Nagy Noemi
- National University of Public Services, H-1083 Budapest, Hungary
- Psychosomatic Outpatient Clinics, H-1037 Budapest, Hungary
| | - Petr Bob
- Center for Neuropsychiatric Research of Traumatic Stress, Department of Psychiatry & UHSL, First Faculty of Medicine, and Department of Psychiatry, Faculty of Medicine Pilsen, Charles University, CZ-12108 Prague, Czechia
| | - István Bókkon
- Psychosomatic Outpatient Clinics, H-1037 Budapest, Hungary
- Neuroscience and Consciousness Research Department, Vision Research Institute, Lowell, MA 01854 USA
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4
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Sharkey KA, Mawe GM. The enteric nervous system. Physiol Rev 2023; 103:1487-1564. [PMID: 36521049 PMCID: PMC9970663 DOI: 10.1152/physrev.00018.2022] [Citation(s) in RCA: 58] [Impact Index Per Article: 58.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/26/2022] [Revised: 12/12/2022] [Accepted: 12/15/2022] [Indexed: 12/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Of all the organ systems in the body, the gastrointestinal tract is the most complicated in terms of the numbers of structures involved, each with different functions, and the numbers and types of signaling molecules utilized. The digestion of food and absorption of nutrients, electrolytes, and water occurs in a hostile luminal environment that contains a large and diverse microbiota. At the core of regulatory control of the digestive and defensive functions of the gastrointestinal tract is the enteric nervous system (ENS), a complex system of neurons and glia in the gut wall. In this review, we discuss 1) the intrinsic neural control of gut functions involved in digestion and 2) how the ENS interacts with the immune system, gut microbiota, and epithelium to maintain mucosal defense and barrier function. We highlight developments that have revolutionized our understanding of the physiology and pathophysiology of enteric neural control. These include a new understanding of the molecular architecture of the ENS, the organization and function of enteric motor circuits, and the roles of enteric glia. We explore the transduction of luminal stimuli by enteroendocrine cells, the regulation of intestinal barrier function by enteric neurons and glia, local immune control by the ENS, and the role of the gut microbiota in regulating the structure and function of the ENS. Multifunctional enteric neurons work together with enteric glial cells, macrophages, interstitial cells, and enteroendocrine cells integrating an array of signals to initiate outputs that are precisely regulated in space and time to control digestion and intestinal homeostasis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Keith A Sharkey
- Hotchkiss Brain Institute and Snyder Institute for Chronic Diseases, Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, Cumming School of Medicine, University of Calgary, Calgary, Alberta, Canada
| | - Gary M Mawe
- Department of Neurological Sciences, Larner College of Medicine, University of Vermont, Burlington, Vermont
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Császár-Nagy N, Bókkon I. Hypnotherapy and IBS: Implicit, long-term stress memory in the ENS? Heliyon 2022; 9:e12751. [PMID: 36685398 PMCID: PMC9849985 DOI: 10.1016/j.heliyon.2022.e12751] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/12/2022] [Revised: 09/20/2022] [Accepted: 12/27/2022] [Indexed: 01/01/2023] Open
Abstract
The association between irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) and psychiatric and mood disorders may be more fundamental than was previously believed. Prenatal, perinatal, postnatal, and early-age conditions can have a key role in the development of IBS. Subthreshold mental disorders (SMDs) could also be a significant source of countless diverse diseases and may be a cause of IBS development. We hypothesize that stress-induced implicit memories may persist throughout life by epigenetic processes in the enteric nervous system (ENS). These stress-induced implicit memories may play an essential role in the emergence and maintenance of IBS. In recent decades, numerous studies have proven that hypnosis can improve the primary symptoms of IBS and also reduce noncolonic symptoms such as anxiety and depression and improve quality of life and cognitive function. These significant beneficial effects of hypnosis on IBS may be because hypnosis allows access to unconscious brain processes.
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Affiliation(s)
- N. Császár-Nagy
- National University of Public Services, Budapest, Hungary,Psychosomatic Outpatient Clinics, Budapest, Hungary
| | - I. Bókkon
- Psychosomatic Outpatient Clinics, Budapest, Hungary,Vision Research Institute, Neuroscience and Consciousness Research Department, Lowell, MA, USA,Corresponding author. H-1238, Budapest, Láng Endre 68, Hungary.
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Michel K, Kuch B, Dengler S, Demir IE, Zeller F, Schemann M. How big is the little brain in the gut? Neuronal numbers in the enteric nervous system of mice, Guinea pig, and human. Neurogastroenterol Motil 2022; 34:e14440. [PMID: 35929768 DOI: 10.1111/nmo.14440] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/27/2022] [Revised: 05/23/2022] [Accepted: 07/21/2022] [Indexed: 02/08/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Despite numerous studies on the enteric nervous system (ENS), we lack fundamental knowledge on neuronal densities or total neuron numbers in different species. There are more anecdotal than actual figures on nerve counts. METHODS We used standardized preparation techniques and immunohistochemistry with validated panneuronal markers (human or mouse anti-HuD/C) to determine neuronal densities in specimen from the entire gastrointestinal tract of mice, guinea pig, and humans. In parallel, we measured the dimensions of the gastrointestinal regions in mouse and guinea pig. For humans, we had to rely on literature data. KEY RESULTS The average neuronal densities along the gastrointestinal tract were 35,011 ± 25,017 1/cm2 for the myenteric and 16,685 ± 9098 1/cm2 for the submucous plexus in mice, 24,315 ± 16,627 and 11,850 ± 6122 1/cm2 for guinea pig myenteric and submucous plexus, respectively, and 21,698 ± 9492 and 16,367 ± 5655 1/cm2 for human myenteric and submucous plexus, respectively. The total number of neurons in the ENS was 2.6 million for mice, 14.6 million for guinea pig, and 168 million for human. CONCLUSIONS & INFERENCES This study reports the first comprehensive nerve cell count in mice, guinea pig, and human ENS. Neuronal densities were comparable between the three species and the differences in the total numbers of enteric neurons are likely due to body size and intestinal length. The number of enteric neurons is comparable to the number of neurons in the spinal cord for all three species.
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Affiliation(s)
- Klaus Michel
- Human Biology, Technical University of Munich, Freising, Germany
| | - Birgit Kuch
- Human Biology, Technical University of Munich, Freising, Germany
| | - Sophie Dengler
- Human Biology, Technical University of Munich, Freising, Germany
| | - Ihsan Ekin Demir
- Surgery, Klinikum rechts der Isar, Technische Universität München, Munich, Germany
| | | | - Michael Schemann
- Human Biology, Technical University of Munich, Freising, Germany
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Monti A, Porciello G, Panasiti MS, Aglioti SM. Gut markers of bodily self-consciousness in men. iScience 2022; 25:105061. [PMID: 36185370 PMCID: PMC9519469 DOI: 10.1016/j.isci.2022.105061] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/12/2021] [Revised: 04/20/2022] [Accepted: 08/30/2022] [Indexed: 11/28/2022] Open
Abstract
Bodily self-consciousness, the state of mind that allows humans to be aware of their own body, forms the backdrop for almost every human experience, yet its underpinnings remain elusive. Here we combine an ingestible, minimally invasive capsule with surface electrogastrography to probe if gut physiology correlates with bodily self-consciousness in a sample of healthy men during a virtual bodily illusion. We discover that specific patterns of stomach and bowel activity (temperature, pressure, and pH) covary with specific facets of bodily self-consciousness (feelings of body location, agency, and disembodiment). These results uncover the hitherto untapped potential of minimally invasive probes to study the link between mental and gut states and show the significance of deep visceral organs in the self-conscious perception of ourselves as embodied beings. We studied the gastrointestinal (GI) underpinnings of bodily self-consciousness An ingestible pill tracked how GI parameters change during a bodily illusion GI activity was generally correlated with higher embodiment and lower disembodiment Gut plays a significant role in how our self embodies entities such as avatars
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Affiliation(s)
- Alessandro Monti
- Sapienza, Università di Roma and Center for Life Nano- & Neuro-Science, Fondazione Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia (IIT), 00161 Rome, Italy
- Corresponding author
| | - Giuseppina Porciello
- IRCCS Fondazione Santa Lucia research hospital, 00179 Rome, Italy
- Department of Psychology, Sapienza, Università di Roma, 00185 Rome, Italy
| | - Maria Serena Panasiti
- IRCCS Fondazione Santa Lucia research hospital, 00179 Rome, Italy
- Department of Psychology, Sapienza, Università di Roma, 00185 Rome, Italy
| | - Salvatore M. Aglioti
- Sapienza, Università di Roma and Center for Life Nano- & Neuro-Science, Fondazione Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia (IIT), 00161 Rome, Italy
- IRCCS Fondazione Santa Lucia research hospital, 00179 Rome, Italy
- Corresponding author
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8
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Zhu Y, Duan S, Wang M, Deng Z, Li J. Neuroimmune Interaction: A Widespread Mutual Regulation and the Weapons for Barrier Organs. Front Cell Dev Biol 2022; 10:906755. [PMID: 35646918 PMCID: PMC9130600 DOI: 10.3389/fcell.2022.906755] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/29/2022] [Accepted: 04/26/2022] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Since the embryo, the nervous system and immune system have been interacting to regulate each other’s development and working together to resist harmful stimuli. However, oversensitive neural response and uncontrolled immune attack are major causes of various diseases, especially in barrier organs, while neural-immune interaction makes it worse. As the first defense line, the barrier organs give a guarantee to maintain homeostasis in external environment. And the dense nerve innervation and abundant immune cell population in barrier organs facilitate the neuroimmune interaction, which is the physiological basis of multiple neuroimmune-related diseases. Neuroimmune-related diseases often have complex mechanisms and require a combination of drugs, posing challenges in finding etiology and treatment. Therefore, it is of great significance to illustrate the specific mechanism and exact way of neuro-immune interaction. In this review, we first described the mutual regulation of the two principal systems and then focused on neuro-immune interaction in the barrier organs, including intestinal tract, lungs and skin, to clarify the mechanisms and provide ideas for clinical etiology exploration and treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yan Zhu
- Department of Dermatology, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, China
- Hunan Key Laboratory of Aging Biology, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, China
| | - Shixin Duan
- Department of Dermatology, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, China
- Hunan Key Laboratory of Aging Biology, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, China
| | - Mei Wang
- Department of Dermatology, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, China
- Hunan Key Laboratory of Aging Biology, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, China
| | - Zhili Deng
- Department of Dermatology, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, China
- Hunan Key Laboratory of Aging Biology, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, China
- National Clinical Research Center for Geriatric Disorders, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, China
- *Correspondence: Zhili Deng, ; Ji Li,
| | - Ji Li
- Department of Dermatology, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, China
- Hunan Key Laboratory of Aging Biology, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, China
- National Clinical Research Center for Geriatric Disorders, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, China
- *Correspondence: Zhili Deng, ; Ji Li,
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9
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Császár N, Bókkon I. Gut serotonin as a general membrane permeability regulator. Curr Neuropharmacol 2021; 20:269-271. [PMID: 34548000 PMCID: PMC9413787 DOI: 10.2174/1570159x19666210921100542] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/02/2021] [Revised: 08/15/2021] [Accepted: 08/15/2021] [Indexed: 11/26/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Császár N
- Psychosomatic Outpatient Clinics, Budapest. Hungary
| | - Bókkon I
- Psychosomatic Outpatient Clinics, Budapest. Hungary
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10
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Koenen LR, Pawlik RJ, Icenhour A, Petrakova L, Forkmann K, Theysohn N, Engler H, Elsenbruch S. Associative learning and extinction of conditioned threat predictors across sensory modalities. Commun Biol 2021; 4:553. [PMID: 33976383 PMCID: PMC8113515 DOI: 10.1038/s42003-021-02008-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/07/2020] [Accepted: 03/18/2021] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
The formation and persistence of negative pain-related expectations by classical conditioning remain incompletely understood. We elucidated behavioural and neural correlates involved in the acquisition and extinction of negative expectations towards different threats across sensory modalities. In two complementary functional magnetic resonance imaging studies in healthy humans, differential conditioning paradigms combined interoceptive visceral pain with somatic pain (study 1) and aversive tone (study 2) as exteroceptive threats. Conditioned responses to interoceptive threat predictors were enhanced in both studies, consistently involving the insula and cingulate cortex. Interoceptive threats had a greater impact on extinction efficacy, resulting in disruption of ongoing extinction (study 1), and selective resurgence of interoceptive CS-US associations after complete extinction (study 2). In the face of multiple threats, we preferentially learn, store, and remember interoceptive danger signals. As key mediators of nocebo effects, conditioned responses may be particularly relevant to clinical conditions involving disturbed interoception and chronic visceral pain.
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Affiliation(s)
- Laura R Koenen
- Institute of Medical Psychology and Behavioral Immunobiology, Center for Translational Neuro- and Behavioral Sciences, University Hospital Essen, University of Duisburg-Essen, Essen, Germany
| | - Robert J Pawlik
- Department of Medical Psychology and Medical Sociology, Faculty of Medicine, Ruhr University Bochum, Bochum, Germany
| | - Adriane Icenhour
- Translational Pain Research Unit, Department of Neurology, University Hospital Essen, University of Duisburg-Essen, Essen, Germany
| | - Liubov Petrakova
- Department of Medical Psychology and Medical Sociology, Faculty of Medicine, Ruhr University Bochum, Bochum, Germany
| | - Katarina Forkmann
- Translational Pain Research Unit, Department of Neurology, University Hospital Essen, University of Duisburg-Essen, Essen, Germany
| | - Nina Theysohn
- Institute of Diagnostic and Interventional Radiology and Neuroradiology, University Hospital Essen, University of Duisburg-Essen, Essen, Germany
| | - Harald Engler
- Institute of Medical Psychology and Behavioral Immunobiology, Center for Translational Neuro- and Behavioral Sciences, University Hospital Essen, University of Duisburg-Essen, Essen, Germany
| | - Sigrid Elsenbruch
- Department of Medical Psychology and Medical Sociology, Faculty of Medicine, Ruhr University Bochum, Bochum, Germany.
- Translational Pain Research Unit, Department of Neurology, University Hospital Essen, University of Duisburg-Essen, Essen, Germany.
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11
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Kolmeder CA, de Vos WM. Roadmap to functional characterization of the human intestinal microbiota in its interaction with the host. J Pharm Biomed Anal 2020; 194:113751. [PMID: 33328144 DOI: 10.1016/j.jpba.2020.113751] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/22/2020] [Revised: 10/28/2020] [Accepted: 10/29/2020] [Indexed: 12/22/2022]
Abstract
It is known for more than 100 years that the intestinal microbes are important for the host's health and the last decade this is being intensely studied with a focus on the mechanistic aspects. Among the fundamental functions of the intestinal microbiome are the priming of the immune system, the production of essential vitamins and the energy harvest from foods. By now, several dozens of diseases, both intestinal and non-intestinal related, have been associated with the intestinal microbiome. Initially, this was based on the description of the composition between groups of different health status or treatment arms based on phylogenetic approaches based on the 16S rRNA gene sequences. This way of analysis has mostly moved to the analysis of all the genes or transcripts of the microbiome i.e. metagenomics and meta-transcriptomics. Differences are regularly found but these have to be taken with caution as we still do not know what the majority of genes of the intestinal microbiome are capable of doing. To circumvent this caveat researchers are studying the proteins and the metabolites of the microbiome and the host via metaproteomics and metabolomics approaches. However, also here the complexity is high and only a fraction of signals obtained with high throughput instruments can be identified and assigned to a known protein or molecule. Therefore, modern microbiome research needs advancement of existing and development of new analytical techniques. The usage of model systems like intestinal organoids where samples can be taken and processed rapidly as well as microfluidics systems may help. This review aims to elucidate what we know about the functionality of the human intestinal microbiome, what technologies are advancing this knowledge, and what innovations are still required to further evolve this actively developing field.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Willem M de Vos
- Human Microbiome Research Program, Faculty of Medicine, University of Helsinki, Finland; Laboratory of Microbiology, Wageningen University, the Netherlands
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12
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Ameku T, Beckwith H, Blackie L, Miguel-Aliaga I. Food, microbes, sex and old age: on the plasticity of gastrointestinal innervation. Curr Opin Neurobiol 2020; 62:83-91. [PMID: 32028080 PMCID: PMC7294223 DOI: 10.1016/j.conb.2019.12.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/28/2019] [Revised: 12/18/2019] [Accepted: 12/20/2019] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
Abstract
The gastrointestinal tract is innervated by its own enteric nervous system and by extrinsic neurons that connect it with the central nervous system. Innervation allows the gastrointestinal tract to sense and respond to diverse stimuli, adjusting motility and secretion, but also affecting our physiology, behaviour and immunity. The mechanisms underlying the formation of gastrointestinal neurons are beginning to be elucidated; those that keep them plastic over an organism's lifetime remain to be explored. Here, we review the effects of microbiota, nutrients, sex and ageing on the morphology and function of gastrointestinal innervation in mammals, and discuss how this plasticity shapes gut-brain crosstalk and whole-body physiology. We also highlight insights gained by nascent studies of the enteric innervation of Drosophila melanogaster.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tomotsune Ameku
- MRC London Institute of Medical Sciences, Imperial College London, Hammersmith Campus, Du Cane Road, London W12 0NN, UK; Faculty of Medicine, Imperial College London, Hammersmith Campus, Du Cane Road, London W12 0NN, UK
| | - Hannah Beckwith
- MRC London Institute of Medical Sciences, Imperial College London, Hammersmith Campus, Du Cane Road, London W12 0NN, UK; Faculty of Medicine, Imperial College London, Hammersmith Campus, Du Cane Road, London W12 0NN, UK
| | - Laura Blackie
- MRC London Institute of Medical Sciences, Imperial College London, Hammersmith Campus, Du Cane Road, London W12 0NN, UK; Faculty of Medicine, Imperial College London, Hammersmith Campus, Du Cane Road, London W12 0NN, UK
| | - Irene Miguel-Aliaga
- MRC London Institute of Medical Sciences, Imperial College London, Hammersmith Campus, Du Cane Road, London W12 0NN, UK; Faculty of Medicine, Imperial College London, Hammersmith Campus, Du Cane Road, London W12 0NN, UK.
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13
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Abstract
AbstractThe gut’s own autonomous nervous system, the enteric nervous system (ENS), has fascinated scientists for more than 100 years. It functions, in the true sense of the word, autonomously, by performing complex tasks and controlling vital functions independently of extrinsic inputs. At the same time, the ENS is bombarded with signals from other cells in the gut wall and lumen and has to integrate all of these inputs. We describe the main functions of the ENS under physiological conditions and give a few examples of its role in gut diseases. The ENS has received increasing attention recently as scientists outside the field of Neurogastroenterology realize its important role in the pathogenesis of Parkinson’s, autism and multiple sclerosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anita Annahazi
- Human BiologyTechnical University of MunichLiesel-Beckmann Strasse 4, 85354 Freising-WeihenstephanFreising-WeihenstephanGermany
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14
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Labanski A, Langhorst J, Engler H, Elsenbruch S. Stress and the brain-gut axis in functional and chronic-inflammatory gastrointestinal diseases: A transdisciplinary challenge. Psychoneuroendocrinology 2020; 111:104501. [PMID: 31715444 DOI: 10.1016/j.psyneuen.2019.104501] [Citation(s) in RCA: 92] [Impact Index Per Article: 23.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/03/2019] [Revised: 10/17/2019] [Accepted: 10/29/2019] [Indexed: 12/18/2022]
Abstract
The broad role of stress in the brain-gut axis is widely acknowledged, with implications for multiple prevalent health conditions that are characterized by chronic gastrointestinal symptoms. These include the functional gastrointestinal disorders (FGID), such as irritable bowel syndrome and functional dyspepsia, as well as inflammatory bowel diseases (IBD) like ulcerative colitis and Crohn's disease. Although the afferent and efferent pathways linking the gut and the brain are modulated by stress, the fields of neurogastroenterology and psychoneuroendocrinology (PNE)/ psychoneuroimmunology (PNI) remain only loosely connected. We aim to contribute to bringing these fields closer together by drawing attention to a fascinating, evolving research area, targeting an audience with a strong interest in the role of stress in health and disease. To this end, this review introduces the concept of the brain-gut axis and its major pathways, and provides a brief introduction to epidemiological and clinical aspects of FGIDs and IBD. From an interdisciplinary PNE/PNI perspective, we then detail current knowledge regarding the role of chronic and acute stress in the pathophysiology of FGID and IBD. We provide an overview of evidence regarding non-pharmacological treatment approaches that target central or peripheral stress mechanisms, and conclude with future directions, particularly those arising from recent advances in the neurosciences and discoveries surrounding the gut microbiota.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alexandra Labanski
- Institute of Medical Psychology and Behavioral Immunobiology, University Hospital Essen, University of Duisburg-Essen, Essen, Germany
| | - Jost Langhorst
- Chair for Integrative Medicine, University of Duisburg-Essen, Essen, Germany; Clinic for Internal and Integrative Medicine, Klinikum Bamberg, Bamberg, Germany
| | - Harald Engler
- Institute of Medical Psychology and Behavioral Immunobiology, University Hospital Essen, University of Duisburg-Essen, Essen, Germany
| | - Sigrid Elsenbruch
- Institute of Medical Psychology and Behavioral Immunobiology, University Hospital Essen, University of Duisburg-Essen, Essen, Germany.
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15
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Gershon MD. The thoughtful bowel. Acta Physiol (Oxf) 2020; 228:e13331. [PMID: 31179607 DOI: 10.1111/apha.13331] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/29/2019] [Accepted: 06/05/2019] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Michael D. Gershon
- Department of Pathology and Cell Biology Columbia University Vagelos College of Physicians and Surgeons New York New York
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