The paper details an article and associated research focusing on the molecular and functional diversity of sympathetic postganglionic neurons within the celiac-superior mesenteric ganglia (CG-SMG) complex. Through single-cell transcriptomics and functional assays like chemogenetics and optogenetics, the study identifies two genetically distinct subpopulations of CG-SMG neurons: Calb2-positive neurons and Nxph4-positive neurons. The research establishes that these distinct genetic identities correlate with specific anatomical projections and physiological roles, with Calb2-positive neurons acting as sympathetic visceromotor units regulating gut motility, and Nxph4-positive neurons functioning as visceral vasoconstrictor units controlling organ blood flow. This work suggests the sympathetic nervous system employs a labeled line logic for precise control of visceral organ physiology, challenging older views of sympathetic action as monolithic.

References:

• Wei Y, Ma Z, Zhang B, et al. Sympathetic functional units encoded by genetically defined postganglionic neurons[J]. Neuron, 2025.