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Related Experiment Video

Updated: Nov 21, 2025

Real-time Analysis of Gut-brain Neural Communication: Cortex wide Calcium Dynamics in Response to Intestinal Glucose Stimulation
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Published on: December 29, 2023

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Pancreatic β-Cells Communicate With Vagal Sensory Neurons.

Madina Makhmutova1, Jonathan Weitz2, Alejandro Tamayo2

  • 1Division of Endocrinology, Diabetes and Metabolism, Department of Medicine, Miller School of Medicine, University of Miami, Miami, Florida; Program in Neuroscience, Miller School of Medicine, University of Miami, Miami, Florida.

Gastroenterology
|October 30, 2020
PubMed
Summary

Pancreatic beta-cells communicate with vagal sensory neurons using serotonin. This signaling pathway, involving serotonin released with insulin, likely informs the brain about the beta-cell

Keywords:
Pancreatic IsletSerotoninVagus NerveVisceral Sensory Innervation

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Area of Science:

  • Neuroendocrinology
  • Cellular Biology
  • Metabolic Regulation

Background:

  • Visceral sensory nerves influence pancreatic islet function and glucose metabolism.
  • The interaction between pancreatic islet endocrine cells and sensory neurons remains largely uncharacterized.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the anatomical and functional interactions between pancreatic beta-cells and vagal sensory neurons.
  • To elucidate the signaling mechanisms underlying this communication.

Main Methods:

  • Utilized viral tracing, immunohistochemistry, and reporter mouse models to map pancreatic sensory innervation.
  • Recorded in vivo calcium (Ca2+) responses in nodose neurons while stimulating beta-cells chemogenetically and pharmacologically.

Main Results:

  • Identified vagal sensory axons expressing Phox2b, substance P, CGRP, and 5-HT3R innervating pancreatic islets.
  • Demonstrated that nodose neurons respond to beta-cell stimulation and pancreatic serotonin, but not insulin.
  • Showed that serotonin signaling is crucial for beta-cell to vagal neuron communication, with responses modulated by serotonin levels and blocked by 5-HT3R antagonists.

Conclusions:

  • Pancreatic beta-cells communicate with vagal sensory neurons, likely via serotonin signaling.
  • Serotonin, co-released with insulin, may signal beta-cell secretory status to the brain through vagal afferent nerves.