Experimental West Nile virus infection provides lessons for recovery from enteric neuropathies.

Abstract

Loss of enteric neurons leading to long-term gastrointestinal dysfunction is common to many diseases, and the path to functional recovery is unclear. In this issue of the JCI, Janova et al. report that West Nile virus killed enteric neurons and glia via CD4+ and CD8+ T cells acting through the perforin and Fas ligand pathways. Enteric glial cells contributed to neurogenesis and at least partial replacement of affected neurons. While neurogenesis is important for recovery, dysmotility and disruptions to the network structure persisted. Following enteric injury, the contribution of neurogenesis and the conditions that support restoration of enteric neural circuits for functional recovery remain for further investigation.