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Updated: Dec 5, 2025

A Gut-on-a-Chip Model to Study the Gut Microbiome-Nervous System Axis
Published on: July 28, 2023
Microbiota-gut-brain axis: enteroendocrine cells and the enteric nervous system form an interface between the
Atsukazu Kuwahara1, Kyoko Matsuda2, Yuko Kuwahara1
1Research Unit for Epithelial Physiology and Research Center for Drug Discovery and Pharmaceutical Development Science, Research Organization of Science and Technology, Ritsumeikan University.
Abstract:
The microbiota-gut-brain axis transmits bidirectional communication between the gut and the central nervous system and links the emotional and cognitive centers of the brain with peripheral gut functions. This communication occurs along the axis via local, paracrine, and endocrine mechanisms involving a variety of gut-derived peptide/amine produced by enteroendocrine cells. Neural networks, such as the enteric nervous system, and the central nervous system, including the autonomic nervous system, also transmit information through the microbiota-gut-brain axis. Recent advances in research have described the importance of the gut microbiota in influencing normal physiology and contributing to disease. We are only beginning to understand this bidirectional communication system. In this review, we summarize the available data supporting the existence of these interactions, highlighting data related to the contribution of enteroendocrine cells and the enteric nervous system as an interface between the gut microbiota and brain.
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