Early life interaction between the microbiota and the enteric nervous system

JPP Foong, LY Hung, S Poon… - American Journal …, 2020 - journals.physiology.org
JPP Foong, LY Hung, S Poon, TC Savidge, JC Bornstein
American Journal of Physiology-Gastrointestinal and Liver …, 2020journals.physiology.org
Recent studies on humans and their key experimental model, the mouse, have begun to
uncover the importance of gastrointestinal (GI) microbiota and enteric nervous system (ENS)
interactions during developmental windows spanning from conception to adolescence.
Disruptions in GI microbiota and ENS during these windows by environmental factors,
particularly antibiotic exposure, have been linked to increased susceptibility of the host to
several diseases. Mouse models have provided new insights to potential signaling factors …
Recent studies on humans and their key experimental model, the mouse, have begun to uncover the importance of gastrointestinal (GI) microbiota and enteric nervous system (ENS) interactions during developmental windows spanning from conception to adolescence. Disruptions in GI microbiota and ENS during these windows by environmental factors, particularly antibiotic exposure, have been linked to increased susceptibility of the host to several diseases. Mouse models have provided new insights to potential signaling factors between the microbiota and ENS. We review very recent work on maturation of GI microbiota and ENS during three key developmental windows: embryogenesis, early postnatal, and postweaning periods. We discuss advances in understanding of interactions between the two systems and highlight research avenues for future studies.
American Physiological Society