A triplex for intestinal protection: Neurons, microbes, and goblet cells

Diverse intestinal components (e.g., gut-associated neurons, immune cells, gut microbes, and epithelium) are intimately intertwined with each other to maintain homeostasis in the gut. In a recent issue of Cell, Zhang et al. (2022) and Yang et al. (2022) present complementary studies uncovering interactions between nociceptor neurons, gut epithelium, and the microbiome to protect intestinal tissue from inflammation. Diverse intestinal components (e.g., gut-associated neurons, immune cells, gut microbes, and epithelium) are intimately intertwined with each other to maintain homeostasis in the gut. In a recent issue of Cell, Zhang et al. and Yang et al. present complementary studies uncovering interactions between nociceptor neurons, gut epithelium, and the microbiome to protect intestinal tissue from inflammation.