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You Talking to Me? Says the Enteric Nervous System (ENS) to the Microbe. How Intestinal Microbes Interact with the

Mauro Giuffrè1,2, Rita Moretti1, Giuseppina Campisciano3

  • 1Department of Medical, Surgical and Health Sciences, University of Trieste, 34149 Trieste, Italy.

Journal of Clinical Medicine
|November 21, 2020
PubMed

Insights

Gut microbes interact with the enteric nervous system (ENS), influencing health and disease. This review explores how bacteria, viruses, and parasites affect the ENS and its connection to the central nervous system (CNS).

Area of Science:

  • Microbiology
  • Neuroscience
  • Gastroenterology

Background:

  • Mammalian gut harbors diverse microorganisms, including commensals and pathogens.
  • The enteric nervous system (ENS) is a primary interface between gut microbes and the central nervous system (CNS).
  • Microbial interactions with the ENS can alter neuronal function and neurotransmitter release.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To review current findings on the inter-relationships between gut microorganisms (bacteria, viruses, parasites) and the ENS.
  • To highlight the role of the ENS in mediating microbial effects on the host.
  • To explore potential implications for pathogen-host interactions.

Main Methods:

  • Narrative review of existing literature.
  • Synthesis of research on microbial interactions with the enteric nervous system.
  • Analysis of studies investigating microbial effects on neuronal phenotypes and signaling.

Main Results:

  • Pathogenic bacteria can exploit the ENS for colonization and toxin propagation.
  • Commensal bacteria can influence the CNS via ENS interactions.
  • Microorganisms induce diverse effects on ENS neurons, including phenotypical changes and altered chemical signaling.

Conclusions:

  • The gut-brain axis is significantly modulated by microbial interactions with the ENS.
  • Understanding these inter-relationships is crucial for novel therapeutic strategies.
  • Future research may reshape concepts of host-pathogen dynamics.
Keywords:
bacteriaenteric nervous system (ENS)gutgut–brain axismicrobiomemicrobiotaparasitesviruses

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