Type 2 cytokines act on enteric sensory neurons to regulate neuropeptide-driven host defense.

Science (New York, N.Y.)
Authors
Abstract

Enteric nervous system (ENS)-derived neuropeptides modulate immune cell function, yet our understanding of how inflammatory cues directly influence enteric neuron responses during infection is considerably lacking. Here, we characterized a primary enteric sensory neuron (PSN) subset producing the neuropeptides neuromedin U (NMU) and calcitonin gene-related peptide β (CGRPβ) and coexpressing receptors for the type 2 cytokines interleukin-4 (IL-4) and IL-13. Type 2 cytokines amplified NMU and CGRPβ expression in PSNs both in vitro and in vivo, and this was abrogated by PSN-specific deletion. Deletion of in PSNs impaired host defense to the gastrointestinal helminth and blunted muscularis immune responses. Co-administration of NMU23 and CGRPβ rescued helminth clearance deficits and restored anti-helminth immunity, highlighting the essential bidirectional neuroimmune cross-talk regulating intestinal type 2 inflammation.

Year of Publication
2025
Journal
Science (New York, N.Y.)
Volume
389
Issue
6757
Pages
260-267
Date Published
07/2025
ISSN
1095-9203
DOI
10.1126/science.adn9850
PubMed ID
40403128
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