An international research team, with the participation of specialists from the University of Bern and the Charite Clinic in Berlin, revealed that the enteric nervous system plays a pivotal role in the development of allergies.
The enteric nervous system is often known as the “second brain” for its ability to manage digestion and maintain the integrity of the intestinal barrier.
This protection is achieved through three main components: the mucous membrane, special cells in the immune system, and the microbiome (the beneficial bacterial environment in the intestine), which work together to maintain a balance that prevents infections and diseases.
The surface of the intestine is covered with a thin layer of cells that protects the body from infection. Scientists knew that intestinal nerves affect digestion and immunity, but how they participate in the formation of these protective cells was unclear.
The researchers conducted experiments on mice and found that certain nerve cells secrete a substance called “active intestinal peptide” that controls the work of special stem cells by regulating their division. When this control is disturbed, an excess of specialized cells appears that causes allergies.
Therefore, maintaining the health of beneficial bacteria and the proper functioning of the immune system is extremely important for the health of the entire body. Studying the role of enteric neurons helps to better understand the causes of diseases and find new methods of treatment.
Professor Christophe Cluzet, lead author of the study, said: “The mechanism we discovered makes it possible to understand why some people have a highly sensitive intestine, and opens the way for the development of more precise treatments. The deeper we understand the interaction between nerve endings, cells and the immune system in the intestine, the more we are able to design targeted and personalized treatments, and this applies to diseases such as allergies, irritable bowel syndrome, and chronic inflammatory intestinal diseases.”
The results also indicate the possibility of influencing these interactions directly through diet, which opens new horizons for prevention and personalized treatment.