Parasites spark a two-step gut–brain chat between epithelial cells to curb appetite
New research reveals a two-phase, paracrine dialogue between gut tuft cells and serotonergic enterochromaffin (EC) cells that links parasite detection to brain signaling and feeding behavior. Tuft cells release acetylcholine (ACh) in an acute, parasite-triggered fashion and also a constitutive leak during type 2 inflammation; both modes can activate EC cells, but only sustained ACh release raises serotonin enough to stimulate vagal afferents and suppress food intake. This epithelial crosstalk couples type 2 immune responses with sensory signaling to drive gut–brain communication and protective behaviors during parasitic infections, explaining progression from asymptomatic to symptomatic disease.
