A sensory map of the gastrointestinal tract

Abstract

The gut, like the skin, exhibits a spatially organized sensory system with distinct regions specialized for detecting and responding to diverse signals including immune, microbial, and nutrient stimuli. This study employed spatial transcriptomics to characterize the molecular landscape of gut sensory cells along the gastrointestinal tract, revealing regional differences in gene expression profiles associated with various sensory modalities. We found that genes related to hormone and neurotransmission expression varied along the gut length at different resolutions, suggesting a division of labor where hormones mediate broader effects and neurotransmission enables rabid, localized signaling. Immune-related genes also exhibit spatial patterns, with increased expression towards the colon, consistent with the higher microbial density in this region. Furthermore, nutrient sensing is spatially regulated, with differential expression of receptors for fats, sugars, proteins, vitamins, and minerals along the gut. This spatial map of gut sensory cell gene expression provides a foundation for deciphering the complex code underlying gut-brain communication.