Theme and scope of the collection:

The enteric nervous system (ENS) is a master regulator of intestinal function and a pivotal mediator between the gut, immune system, and metabolism. Emerging evidence links ENS dysfunction to chronic gut inflammation, impaired barrier integrity, dysbiosis, and systemic metabolic disturbances, including obesity, insulin resistance, and NAFLD/MASLD. At the same time, neuroimmune crosstalk—via neural circuits, glia, cytokines, neuropeptides, and microbial metabolites—appears to shape both local inflammatory responses and whole-body metabolic tone.

This Research Topic invites original research, reviews, methods, and perspectives that clarify how ENS circuits, enteric glia, and neuroimmune signaling pathways integrate inflammatory cues and metabolic states. We are especially interested in studies that:

Define cellular and molecular mechanisms of ENS–immune communication in intestinal inflammation (e.g., IBD, infection, post-inflammatory remodeling).

Elucidate how ENS activity influences metabolic outcomes and vice versa, including nutrient sensing, motility, enteroendocrine signaling, and microbiota-derived metabolites.

Map ENS–immune–epithelial interactions affecting barrier function, fibrosis, pain, and visceral hypersensitivity.

Explore the role of enteric glia in immunomodulation, neuroinflammation, and metabolic regulation.

Leverage advanced tools (single-cell and spatial omics, circuit tracing, neuromodulation, organoids, gut-on-chip, in vivo imaging) to dissect causal pathways.

Translate mechanisms into diagnostics or therapies, including neuromodulatory strategies, microbiome-targeted interventions, and biomarkers of neuroimmune-metabolic states.

Address developmental, aging, and sex-specific determinants of ENS–immune–metabolic interactions.

By bridging neurogastroenterology, immunology, and metabolism, this Topic aims to advance a systems-level understanding of the gut nervous system in health and disease and to catalyze new therapeutic avenues for inflammatory and metabolic disorders.

Are you interested in contributing a manuscript to this Research Topic?

The enteric nervous system at the intersection of gut inflammation, metabolic disease, and neuroimmune signaling