Communication is Key – The Gut, its Microbiome, Immune cells and the Brain

The microorganisms in our intestine influence communication between gut and brain by producing various metabolites such as short-chain fatty acids which can be sensed by a specialized group of enteroendocrine cells. This subgroup of enteroendocrine cells directly communicates with the vagus nerve, a main component of the parasympathetic nervous system, conveying signals directly to the central nervous system. Apart from enteroendocrine cells, sensory neurons connecting to enteric motor neurons and vagus nerve fibers, also express receptors for many microbial metabolites and other microbial components.

Our immune system preservers tolerance towards a multitude of beneficial microbial strains, while surveying the gut for potential pathological strains.  Immune cells thereby contribute to the crosstalk between the microbiota and the brain and influence the production and release of various neurotransmitters and cytokines.

Alzheimer’s disease is one of the most common, age-related neurological diseases in elderly humans and characterized by amyloid-beta plaque formation as well as tau-containing neurofibrillary tangles. Studies analysing the microbiome in Alzheimer patients found significant differences between patients and age-matched controls, for example: while Firmicutes and Bifidobacterium are decreased in patients with Alzheimer’s, Bacteroidetes and Proteobacteria are increased. Further, several studies on Alzheimer mouse models showed a significant reduction of amyloid plaques after transplantation of healthy fecal microbiota. Exchanging the “disbalanced” microbiome subsequently changed the gut metabolome and local cytokine expression, which in return influenced gut-brain communication, improving pathological features in the brain.

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