Infection and Drug Resistance (Dec 2021)
The Pivotal Role of Microbiota in Modulating the Neuronal–Glial–Epithelial Unit
Abstract
Siyu Luo,1 Huifeng Zhu,2 Junhui Zhang,3 Dong Wan1 1Department of Emergency & Critical Care Medicine, The First Affiliated Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, People’s Republic of China; 2College of Pharmaceutical Sciences & Chinese Medicine, Southwest University, Chongqing, People’s Republic of China; 3Health Management Center, The First Affiliated Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, People’s Republic of ChinaCorrespondence: Dong WanDepartment of Emergency & Critical Care Medicine, The First Affiliated Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, 400016, People’s Republic of ChinaEmail [email protected] ZhangHealth Management Center, The First Affiliated Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, 400016, People’s Republic of ChinaEmail [email protected]: The enteric nervous system (ENS) consists of enteric neurons and enteric glial cells (EGCs) and controls the function of the epithelial barrier. Thus, a novel concept of neuronal–glial–epithelial unit in the gut was put forward by analogy with neuronal–glial–endothelial unit in the brain. The environment in the gastrointestinal (GI) tract is complex as it harbours millions of bacteria, which extensively attach with intestinal epithelium. The cross-talk between the neuronal–glial–endothelial unit and microbiota plays a pivotal role in modulating the epithelial barrier’s permeability, intestinal development and immune response. And evidence shows dysbiosis is the potent risk factor in the pathologic process of Parkinson’s disease (PD) and inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). In this review, we summarize the compelling results in favor of microbiota serving as the key modulator in the neuronal–glial–epithelial unit development and function, with profound effects on intestinal homeostasis.Keywords: neuronal–glial–epithelial unit, microbiome, gut
