Recent data suggests an emerging role for peptidergic neurons in the pathogenesis of intestinal inflammation. Neuropeptide release is controlled by transient receptor potential (TRP) channels. Own data suggest a previously unknown role of extra-neuronal TRP channel expression in intestinal immune and epithelial cells as well, indicating a complex neuro-immune-epithelial signaling network in the gut. The central topic of this project is to understand how enteric neurons via secretion of neuropeptides orchestrate intestinal homeostasis and how TRP activation regulates intestinal mucosal immunity and epithelial cell function in addition.