Microbiota-dependent early-life programming of gastrointestinal motility

Area of Science:

• Neuroscience
• Microbiology
• Developmental Biology

Background:

• The enteric nervous system (ENS) controls gastrointestinal function and develops postnatally.
• Gut microbes influence the ENS, but the impact of early-life microbial exposure on ENS development and adult function is unclear.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate if microbial colonization during a critical postnatal period is necessary for normal ENS development and adult gut motility.

Main Methods:

• Fecal microbiota transplantation (FMT) was performed on germ-free mice at weaning or as adults.
• Gastrointestinal transit was assessed.
• RNA sequencing (RNA-seq) of colonic muscularis propria was used to analyze gene expression.

Main Results:

• Mice receiving FMT at weaning recovered normal gut transit, while adult FMT recipients showed limited improvement.
• Early microbial exposure enriched neuron developmental pathways.
• Delayed or absent microbial exposure led to exaggerated inflammatory pathways.

Conclusions:

• A microbiota-dependent sensitive period exists for ENS development.
• Early-life microbiome composition critically influences later-life gut function and may impact dysmotility.