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Review
. 2020 Nov 1;319(5):G541-G548.
doi: 10.1152/ajpgi.00288.2020. Epub 2020 Sep 9.

Early life interaction between the microbiota and the enteric nervous system

Jaime P P Foong  1 , Lin Y Hung  1 , Sabrina Poon  1 , Tor C Savidge  2   3 , Joel C Bornstein  1
Affiliations
Review

Early life interaction between the microbiota and the enteric nervous system

Jaime P P Foong et al. Am J Physiol Gastrointest Liver Physiol. .

Abstract

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.

Keywords: antibiotics; development; early life; enteric nervous system; microbiota.

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Conflict of interest statement

No conflicts of interest, financial or otherwise, are declared by the authors.

Figures

None
Graphical abstract
Fig. 1.
Fig. 1.
Developmental timeline for the mouse gut. Schematic diagram depicting development of enteric nervous system and microbiota during 3 critical windows: embryogenesis (E0.5–E18.5), early postnatal (P0–P10) period, postweaning period (P2–P49), and adulthood. Key developmental milestones are flagged at various time points along the time line. ENCCs, enteric neural crest cells; GI, gastrointestinal; nAChRs, nicotinic acetylcholine receptors.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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