Gut commensal to enteric neuron communication: how ingstion of a lactobacillus species modulates intrinsic sensory neuron excitability and potassium ion channel properties

点击翻译按钮获取中文摘要

The intestine is filled with microorganisms (commensals) that have mutually beneficial symbiotic relationship with their host. Commensals are involved in maintaining the integrity of the cells lining the gut surface, aiding in absorption of foodstuffs, and conditioning the immune system. Some commensal organisms, when ingested (probiotics) provide nutrients, facilitate normal intestinal motility, and may also reduce inflammation in the host if present. It is becoming evident that the interaction between these microorganisms and their hosts is more complex than previously thought and evidence is being accumulated that some commensals can affect directly the host nervous system. For example certain specific probiotic species alter autonomic nerve reflexes, the activity of nerve fibres connecting the intestine with the central nervous system. Probiotics may even alter brain activity including mood and anxiety. How the commensal signal directly to the nervous system has been a mystery. We have now found the 1st evidence that a particular species of acid producing Lactobacillus probiotic can target the activity of an ion channel molecule in a single type of intestinal sensory nerve cell. This surprising discovery provides a significant lead to the understanding of how certain commensals could talk to a part of the host nervous system; a necessary 1st step in unraveling the paths of how commensals communicate with different parts of the nervous system. We have designed a series of physiological experiments that will uncover the routes and molecular chemical mechanisms by which the microorganism signals to those sensory nerve cells. The results from these experiments will provide the 1st detailed description for the steps involved into normal physiological signaling between the bacterial and animal Kingdom. This work will then be expanded to involve other microbe species and components of the host nervous system to determine how the commensal ecosystem interacts with the host nervous system to facilitate a homeostatic relationship between the bacteria and their hosts.