北京脑科学与类脑研究所白凌团队发现，平行的肠脑通路协调进食行为。这一研究成果于2024年12月3日在线发表在国际学术期刊《自然—神经科学》上。

研究人员分析了18种孤束核尾核（cNTS）-Cre小鼠品系，并对9种cNTS细胞类型在进食过程中的动态进行了分类。研究人员发现，Th⁺ cNTS神经元通过迷走神经传入，输入编码食管机械扩张和短暂的吞咽量，从而提供对进食速度的快速反馈调节。

相比之下，Gcg⁺ cNTS神经元监测肠道营养物质和累积摄入的卡路里，并对食物的饱腹感和偏好产生长期影响。这些营养信号通过门静脉-脊髓上行通路传递，而不是通过迷走神经感觉神经元。

这些研究结果强调了cNTS亚型之间的区别，这些区别表现在时间动态、感觉方式、相关内脏器官和上行感觉通路的差异上，这些都在协调进食调节的特定功能中起着重要作用。

研究人员表示，cNTS可看作是一个整合来自多种感觉通路的内感受信号的枢纽。然而，cNTS神经元如何将这些信号转化为行为的机制仍存在争议。

附：英文原文

Title: Parallel gut-to-brain pathways orchestrate feeding behaviors

Author: Wang, Hongyun, Lou, Runxiang, Wang, Yunfeng, Hao, Liufang, Wang, Qiushi, Li, Rui, Su, Jiayi, Liu, Shuhan, Zhou, Xiangyu, Gao, Xinwei, Hao, Qianxi, Chen, Zihe, Xu, Yibo, Wu, Chongwei, Zheng, Yang, Guo, Qingchun, Bai, Ling

Issue&Volume: 2024-12-03

Abstract: The caudal nucleus of the solitary tract (cNTS) in the brainstem serves as a hub for integrating interoceptive cues from diverse sensory pathways. However, the mechanisms by which cNTS neurons transform these signals into behaviors remain debated. We analyzed 18 cNTS-Cre mouse lines and cataloged the dynamics of nine cNTS cell types during feeding. We show that Th+ cNTS neurons encode esophageal mechanical distension and transient gulp size via vagal afferent inputs, providing quick feedback regulation of ingestion speed. By contrast, Gcg+ cNTS neurons monitor intestinal nutrients and cumulative ingested calories and have long-term effects on food satiation and preference. These nutritive signals are conveyed through a portal vein–spinal ascending pathway rather than vagal sensory neurons. Our findings underscore distinctions among cNTS subtypes marked by differences in temporal dynamics, sensory modalities, associated visceral organs and ascending sensory pathways, all of which contribute to specific functions in coordinated feeding regulation.

DOI: 10.1038/s41593-024-01828-8

Source: https://www.nature.com/articles/s41593-024-01828-8