Optogenetic activation of the distal colon epithelium engages enteric nervous system circuits to initiate motility patterns

Digestive functions of the colon depend on sensory-motor reflexes in the enteric nervous system (ENS), initiated by intrinsic primary afferent neurons (IPANs). IPAN terminals project to the mucosal layer of the colon, allowing communication with epithelial cells comprising the colon lining. The chemical nature and functional significance of this epithelial-neural communication in regard to secretion and colon motility are of high interest. Colon epithelial cells can produce and release neuroactive substances such as ATP and 5-hydroxytryptamine (5-HT), which can activate receptors on adjacent nerve fibers, including IPAN subtypes. In this study, we examined if stimulation of epithelial cells alone is sufficient to activate neural circuits that control colon motility. Optogenetics and calcium imaging were used in ex vivo preparations of the mouse colon to selectively stimulate the colon epithelium, measure changes in motility, and record activity of neurons within the myenteric plexus. Light-mediated activation of epithelial cells lining the distal, but not proximal, colon caused local contractions and increased the rate of colonic migrating motor complexes. Epithelial-evoked local contractions in the distal colon were reduced by both ATP and 5-HT receptor antagonists. Our findings indicate that colon epithelial cells likely use purinergic and serotonergic signaling to initiate activity in myenteric neurons, produce local contractions, and facilitate large-scale coordination of ENS activity responsible for whole colon motility patterns. NEW & NOTEWORTHY Using an all-optical approach to measure real-time cell-to-cell communication responsible for colon functions, we show that selective optogenetic stimulation of distal colon epithelium produced activity in myenteric neurons, as measured with red genetically encoded calcium indicators. The epithelial-induced neural response led to local contractions, mediated by both purinergic and serotonergic signaling, and facilitated colonic motor complexes that propagate from proximal to distal colon.