Friday, May 9, 2025
5/9/2025
Enteroendocrine cells sense gut bacteria and activate a gut-brain pathway - PROJECT SUMMARY Microorganisms residing in the intestinal lumen have a significant impact on brain function and behavior. Perturbation of microbe-gut-brain communication is believed to be involved in the pathogenesis of well-known gut-brain disorders such as irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) and related functional GI disorders. However, there is lack of understanding of the precise microbial mechanisms and the cellular pathways that allow gut microbes to communicate with the brain. To address this critical knowledge gap, the applicant has pioneered the zebrafish system for the study of microbe-gut-brain communication. Using in vivo real-time measurements of cell activity in zebrafish, the applicant’s recent research revealed that specific gut bacteria directly activate specialized sensory cells in the intestine epithelium, enteroendocrine cells (EECs), through the receptor transient receptor potential ankyrin A1 (Trpa1). Microbial, pharmacological, or optogenetic activation of Trpa1+EECs directly activates enteric neurons and stimulates vagal sensory ganglia. Preliminary studies identified a distinct subset of bacterial derived tryptophan catabolites as novel agonists that potently activate Trpa1. The objective of the proposed research is to determine the precise molecular mechanism by which enteric bacteria activate the EEC- vagal sensory pathway to modulate brain activity. The central hypothesis is that bacterial secreted tryptophan catabolites stimulate Trpa1 in EECs to activate vagal sensory neurons through a novel EEC secreted signal peptide, pituitary adenylate cyclase activating polypeptide (Pacap). To test this, the applicant will first use molecular microbiology and zebrafish gnotobiotic approaches to define the microbial pathway and mechanism that activates EEC Trpa1 signaling. Second, the applicant will use in vivo vagal calcium imaging, optochemical and genetic manipulation to identify the specific subtype of EECs that transmit enteric bacterial information to the vagus. Finally, the applicant will use pharmaceutical, genetic and cell transplantation approaches to define the EEC signaling peptide that transmits bacterial information from the gut lumen to the vagus. The proposed research is expected to make a significant new contribution to our understanding of the molecular mechanisms and cellular pathways by which enteric bacteria communicate with the brain. The interdisciplinary experimental approach together with the comprehensive career development plan will extend the applicant’s training from gastroenterology into vagal and brain physiology as well as molecular microbiology. A diverse team of established investigators at Duke University and UNC Chapel Hill, with expertise ranging from host-microbe interaction to gut-brain physiology to bacteriology, will oversee the applicant’s career development during the award period by contributing intellectually to her research training, providing mentorship, and offering career advice. This 5-year career development award will provide the applicant with the necessary professional and scientific skills to be an independent and successful microbiota-gut-brain scientist.
HHS’ Tracking Accountability in Government Grants System (TAGGS) website provides access to detailed descriptions of grants, loans, aggregated direct payments and other types of financial assistance awarded by the HHS Operating Divisions (OPDIVs) and the Office of the Secretary Staff Divisions (STAFFDIVs).