Advanced technologies for the study of neuronal cross-organ regulation: a narrative review

The nervous system plays an integral role in the homeostasis of living organisms through the regulation of multiple organ systems. Research has highlighted the extensive role of the nervous system in regulating organ function, including key aspects such as metabolic processes, respiratory, cardiovascular, and immune responses. These findings are inseparable from the development of new technologies such as viral tracing, optogenetics, whole-tissue imaging, and neural activity recording. As technology continues to advance, our understanding of the regulatory role of the nervous system in other organs has expanded to more complex cognitive and emotional control systems, such as the cerebral cortex and subcortical areas. Recent studies have also shown the bidirectional cross-organ regulatory mechanisms between the gut microbiota and the brain. In addition, the body–brain axis also monitors inflammatory responses to ensure a balance between proinflammatory and anti-inflammatory responses. This review delves into the intricate regulatory functions of the nervous system as they pertain to cross-organ communication, emphasizing the broader implications that extend beyond mere metabolic regulation. It employs cutting-edge technologies such as viral tracing, whole-tissue clearing, optogenetics, and in vivo neuronal activity recording to dissect the influence of the nervous system on various organs, including but not limited to the heart, liver, and spleen. These advanced methodologies have substantially broadened our comprehension of the fundamental operations of the nervous system within diverse physiological systems, revealing the complex neural networks that orchestrate organ-specific functions. Our review highlights the significant potential of advanced technologies in neuronal cross-organ regulation to pave the way for therapeutic strategies aimed at addressing a wide array of conditions that impact organ health.

摘要

神经系统通过对多个器官系统的调节，对生物体的稳态平衡起着不可或缺的作用。研究已突显了神经系统在调节器官功能方面的广泛作用，包括新陈代谢过程、呼吸、心血管、免疫反应等关键方面。这些发现与病毒追踪、光遗传学、全组织成像和神经活动记录等新技术的发展密不可分。随着技术的不断进步，我们对神经系统对其他器官的调控作用的认识已扩展到更复杂的认知和情绪控制系统，如大脑皮层和皮层下区域。最近的研究还表明，肠道微生物群和大脑之间存在双向跨器官调节机制。此外，身体-大脑轴还监控炎症反应，以确保促炎和抗炎平衡。这篇综述深入探讨了神经系统在跨器官交流方面错综复杂的调控功能，强调了神经系统在新陈代谢调控之外的更广泛影响。它采用了病毒追踪、全组织清除、光遗传学和体内神经元活动记录等尖端技术，剖析了神经系统对各种器官（包括但不限于心脏、肝脏和脾脏）的影响。这些先进的方法大大拓宽了我们对神经系统在不同生理系统中基本运作的理解，揭示了协调器官特异性功能的复杂神经网络。此综述强调了神经元跨器官调控先进技术的巨大潜力，为旨在解决影响器官健康的各种问题的治疗策略铺平了道路。