The cholinergic anti-inflammatory pathway (CAIP) has been proposed as a key mechanism by which the brain, through the vagus nerve, modulates the immune system in the spleen. Vagus nerve stimulation (VNS) reduces intestinal inflammation and improves postoperative ileus. We investigated the neural pathway involved and the cells mediating the anti-inflammatory effect of VNS in the gut. The effect of VNS on intestinal inflammation and transit was investigated in wild-type, splenic denervated and Rag-1 knockout mice. To define the possible role of alpha7 nicotinic acetylcholine receptor (alpha7nAChR), we used knockout and bone marrow chimaera mice. Anterograde tracing of vagal efferents, cell sorting and Ca(2+) imaging were used to reveal the intestinal cells targeted by the vagus nerve. VNS attenuates surgery-induced intestinal inflammation and improves postoperative intestinal transit in wild-type, splenic denervated and     «

The cholinergic anti-inflammatory pathway (CAIP) has been proposed as a key mechanism by which the brain, through the vagus nerve, modulates the immune system in the spleen. Vagus nerve stimulation (VNS) reduces intestinal inflammation and improves postoperative ileus. We investigated the neural pathway involved and the cells mediating the anti-inflammatory effect of VNS in the gut. The effect of VNS on intestinal inflammation and transit was investigated in wild-type, splenic denervated and Ra...     »

Mice, Knockout, Gastrointestinal Transit, Signal Transduction, Animals, Mice, Nicotine/pharmacology, Neurons/metabolism, *Vagus Nerve Stimulation, alpha7 Nicotinic Acetylcholine Receptor/agonists/genetics/*metabolism, Autonomic Denervation, Cytokines/genetics, ENTERIC NERVOUS SYSTEM, Enteritis/metabolism, Gene Expression, MACROPHAGES, Macrophages/cytology/*metabolism, Muscle, Smooth/*cytology, Myenteric Plexus/metabolism, NERVE-GUT INTERACTIONS, NEURAL-IMMUNE INTERACTIONS, Peroxidase/metabolism, Spleen/innervation, Vagus Nerve/*metabolism     «

Mice, Knockout, Gastrointestinal Transit, Signal Transduction, Animals, Mice, Nicotine/pharmacology, Neurons/metabolism, *Vagus Nerve Stimulation, alpha7 Nicotinic Acetylcholine Receptor/agonists/genetics/*metabolism, Autonomic Denervation, Cytokines/genetics, ENTERIC NERVOUS SYSTEM, Enteritis/metabolism, Gene Expression, MACROPHAGES, Macrophages/cytology/*metabolism, Muscle, Smooth/*cytology, Myenteric Plexus/metabolism, NERVE-GUT INTERACTIONS, NEURAL-IMMUNE INTERACTIONS, Peroxidase/metabolism,...     »