Recent research has uncovered a fascinating connection between the immune system in our gut and brain function. A study published in Nature identifies the subfornical organ (SFO), a small but important brain structure, as a key site where gut-derived αβ T cells reside and influence behavior. This discovery adds a new layer to our understanding of the gut-brain axis and immune regulation of central nervous system activity.
The subfornical organ is one of the circumventricular organs, which lack a blood-brain barrier and can interact directly with circulating molecules and immune cells. Gut-derived αβ T cells migrate to the SFO, expressing tissue residency markers like CXCR6 and secreting interferon-gamma (IFNγ), a cytokine involved in immune signaling. These cells differ from meningeal T cells and form a unique immune niche that communicates gut status to the brain.
Anatomical Location
The subfornical organ is located at the anterior wall of the third ventricle, near the fornix, playing a role in fluid balance, cardiovascular regulation, and now identified in immune-behavior interaction. |
| By Marina Bentivoglio; Krister Kristensson; Martin E. Rottenberg |
Function
Gut-derived T cells within the SFO influence brain behavior by producing IFNγ, impacting central nervous system homeostasis. Their population is shaped by gut microbiota and adipose tissue, illustrating a complex gut-immune-brain communication network.
Clinical Relevance
Understanding this immune cell trafficking to the SFO opens new avenues for treating neuropsychiatric and inflammatory disorders linked to gut-brain dysregulation, such as depression, anxiety, or neurodegenerative diseases.