Data and materials availability: Antibody sequences have been deposited to GenBank under accession numbers MN643173 through MN643554. The cryo-EM maps and refined coordinates were deposited in the EMDB and RCSB PDB databases, respectively, under the following accession numbers: DH270 UCA (EMD-20817 and PDB ID 6UM5), DH270.6 (EMD-20818 and PDB ID 6UM6), and DH270.mu1(EMD-20819 and PDB ID 6UM7). The ARMADiLLO program is available for download at http://sites.duke.edu/ ARMADiLLO. All flow cytometry data are available upon request. All other data are in the main and supplementary figures and text.

Highlights d Treg cells in the colon lamina propria reside close to neuron projections d Neurons modulate the differentiation and phenotype of iTreg cells in culture via IL-6 d Neuron-specific ablation of Il6 increases the number of RORg + Treg cells in vivo d Microbial colonization affects a subset of neurons in the enteric nervous system

We discern a shift away from concepts of clinical empathy and compassionate care that deny a significant place for an affective component and that idealize 'detachment'.