Work

Intestinal-region-specific functions of AHR in intrinsic enteric neurons during infections

Year: 2025

Type: article

Abstract: Intrinsic enteric neurons (iENs) form a crucial neuronal network within the myenteric and submucosal plexus of the gastrointestinal tract, primarily responsible for regulating gut peristalsis. The mechanisms by which iENs sense and integrate dietary and microbial signals to regulate intestinal homeostasis and inflammation remain unclear. Here, we showed that environmental sensor aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AHR) was expressed in different iEN subsets in the ileum and colon and that AHR ligands differentially modulated iEN activity in these regions. Genetic perturbation of Ahr in neurons increased iEN activation in the ileum but, conversely, decreased it in the colon in response to different intestinal pathogens. Furthermore, neuronal AHR deficiency enhanced the clearance of bacterial pathogens, which was associated with increased proliferation and abundance of group 3 innate lymphoid cells in the ileum. Together, our findings demonstrate the region-specific functions of AHR in neurons in response to infections.

Source: Cell Reports

DOI: 10.1016/j.celrep.2025.115524

Authors: Zijia Sun, Yingsheng Wang, Shaorui Liu, Hui Li, Danyang He, Heping Xu

Institutions: Fudan University, Westlake University

Language: English

Topic: Gastrointestinal motility and disorders

Subfield: Gastroenterology

Field: Medicine

Domain: Health Sciences

SDG: Good health and well-being

Open Access status: gold

Estimated APC paid: $5,620