C1qa⁺ muscularis macrophages maintain enteric synaptic homeostasis to regulate gastrointestinal motility
Journal:
bioRxiv
Published Date:
Jun 8, 2026
Abstract
The enteric nervous system (ENS) is a complex peripheral neural network that coordinates gastrointestinal motility through highly organized synaptic communication. Although tissue-resident muscularis macrophages (MMs) closely associate with enteric neurons, whether they regulate enteric synaptic organization remains unknown. In the central nervous system (CNS), microglia sculpt neural circuits through complement-dependent synaptic remodeling, raising the possibility that analogous neuroimmune mechanisms operate in the gut. Here, we identify a previously unrecognized role for C1qa MMs in regulating enteric synaptic homeostasis and gastrointestinal motility. Using macrophage-specific constitutive and inducible C1qa deletion models, single-cell RNA sequencing, enteric synaptosome proteomics, physiology, and advanced imaging, we demonstrate that loss of MM-derived C1qa increases enteric synaptic density without altering neuronal number. C1qa deficiency induced broad transcriptional changes in enteric neurons and macrophages, including altered synapse-associated, lysosomal, and endocytic programs. Proteomic analysis revealed that enteric synapses share a conserved molecular architecture with brain synapses while exhibiting distinct gastrointestinal-specific complement-associated synaptic networks enriched for structural and receptor-localization pathways. Functionally, macrophage-specific C1qa deletion altered excitatory and inhibitory enteric neurotransmission, enhanced cholinergic signaling, reduced nitrergic responses, and accelerated gastrointestinal transit, while smooth muscle responsiveness remained preserved. C1qa MMs displayed transcriptional and functional features consistent with a phagocytic synapse-remodeling phenotype, including enrichment of complement, lysosomal, and engulfment pathways. Loss of C1qa impaired macrophage phagocytic activity both in vitro and in vivo and was associated with synapse accumulation and altered macrophage morphology. Importantly, inducible deletion of C1qa in adulthood recapitulated the synaptic and motility phenotypes, demonstrating that C1qa MMs continuously regulate enteric synaptic organization beyond development. Together, these findings identify a complement-dependent neuroimmune mechanism that regulates enteric circuit organization and gut motility, establishing MMs as active modulators of adult ENS synaptic homeostasis.
