Journal of gastroenterology
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Transient receptor potential vanilloid type-1 (TRPV1)-expressing sensory neurons release neuropeptides such as substance P (SP) and calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP), which play a crucial role in the pathomechanism of experimental colitis. We investigated whether innervation density and neuropeptide release were responsible for the proximodistal aggravation of murine dextran-sulfate-sodium-salt (DSS) colitis. ⋯ The spatial correlation among increased colonic innervation density, TRPV1 receptor expression, stimulated SP release, and colitis severity suggested that TRPV1/SP-expressing sensory neurons should be considered as a therapeutic target in human ulcerative colitis.