Viral reprogramming effects of neuro-immune networks in chronic intestinal inflammation

The immune system plays a major role in chronic Inflammatory Bowel Diseases, yet not much is understood about the early events that lead to the exacerbated inflammation that increases the risk of developing them. This project explores the idea that past infections influence long-term intestinal responses to stress or injury. The intestine is densely innervated and contains its own complex nervous system, often referred to as the “second brain,” which continuously communicates with immune cells to regulate inflammation, barrier function and pain. We propose that temporary infections, even those that resolve without obvious tissue damage, can permanently alter these nerve cells, changing how they interact with the immune system and increasing susceptibility to chronic inflammation, leading to disease. We are studying how gut nerves and immune cells change over time following infection. We will identify long-lasting molecular changes in these cells and test how activating or inhibiting specific nerve cell populations affects intestinal inflammation. By uncovering how interactions between the gut’s nervous system and immune system shape long-term intestinal health, this work aims to reveal new pathways that could inform earlier diagnosis and lead to more targeted treatments for chronic inflammatory intestinal diseases.