VIPR1 acts as an enteric neural checkpoint that suppresses intestinal stem cell-driven epithelial regeneration and exacerbates colitis

Abstract

Intestinal stem cells (ISCs) drive epithelial renewal and regeneration, yet how neural cues shape ISC behavior remains unclear. Here, we identify a neuronal checkpoint that directly restrains ISC regenerative output during injury. We show that vasoactive intestinal peptide (VIP)-producing enteric neurons directly signal to ISCs through the epithelial receptor VIP receptor 1 (VIPR1). In steady state, VIP-VIPR1 signaling restrains ISC hyperproliferation by engaging an extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK)-Notum-Wnt/β-catenin inhibitory axis. During colitis, VIPergic neurons expand within the ulcerated regions and amplify this pathway, thereby suppressing ISC-driven regeneration and exacerbating epithelial injury. Selective deletion of Vipr1 in the epithelium or in ISCs releases this neuronal brake, restores early regenerative activity, and markedly alleviates colitis. The ISC-suppressive function of VIP-VIPR1 signaling is conserved in human intestinal models. Together, these findings define VIPR1 as an ISC-intrinsic neuronal checkpoint that restricts ISC-driven epithelial regeneration and highlight epithelial VIPR1 blockade as a potential strategy to enhance mucosal regeneration in colitis.

Keywords: Notum; WNT signaling; epithelial regeneration; gut-innervating neurons; inflammatory bowel disease; intestinal stem cells; neuron-epithelial interaction.