Contextual brain-gut communication to strengthen mucosal immunity – BRAINITY

Feeding is an essential function of living organisms, but comes with the risk of ingesting pathogens and toxins. As a consequence, the intestine is home to a large immune system, as well as to the largest network of peripheral neurons regulating peristalsis, and monitoring food, noxious substances and tissue damage. Thus, the nervous and immune systems must coordinate their actions to maintain intestinal functions and face perturbations. For instance, the enteric nervous system produces an array of neuropeptides that regulate the effector functions of innate lymphoid cells (ILCs) facing enteric infections. Our preliminary data show that vasoactive intestinal peptide (VIP) is a potent activator of ILCs that is released upon feeding. In this project, we build on a close partnership between immunologists and neuroscientists to investigate the VIP-mediated neuronal control of ILC effector functions, involving both the autonomous nervous system and brain cognitive functions.