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Addressing Interdisciplinary Difficulties in Developmental Biology/Mathematical Collaborations: A Neural Crest Example. Methods Mol Biol 2019. [PMID: 30977062 DOI: 10.1007/978-1-4939-9412-0_2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register]
Abstract
Mathematical modeling can allow insight into the biological processes that can be difficult to access by conventional biological means alone. Such projects are becoming increasingly attractive with the appearance of faster and more powerful quantitative techniques in both biological data acquisition and data storage, manipulation, and presentation. However, as is frequent in interdisciplinary research, the main hurdles are not within the mindset and techniques of each discipline but are usually encountered in attempting to meld the different disciplines together. Based upon our experience in applying mathematical methods to investigate how neural crest cells interact to form the enteric nervous system, we present our views on how to pursue biomathematical modeling projects, what difficulties to expect, and how to overcome, or at least survive, these hurdles. The main advice being: persevere.
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Pochard C, Coquenlorge S, Freyssinet M, Naveilhan P, Bourreille A, Neunlist M, Rolli-Derkinderen M. The multiple faces of inflammatory enteric glial cells: is Crohn's disease a gliopathy? Am J Physiol Gastrointest Liver Physiol 2018. [PMID: 29517926 DOI: 10.1152/ajpgi.00016.2018] [Citation(s) in RCA: 52] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
Gone are the days when enteric glial cells (EGC) were considered merely satellites of enteric neurons. Like their brain counterpart astrocytes, EGC express an impressive number of receptors for neurotransmitters and intercellular messengers, thereby contributing to neuroprotection and to the regulation of neuronal activity. EGC also produce different soluble factors that regulate neighboring cells, among which are intestinal epithelial cells. A better understanding of EGC response to an inflammatory environment, often referred to as enteric glial reactivity, could help define the physiological role of EGC and the importance of this reactivity in maintaining gut functions. In chronic inflammatory disorders of the gut such as Crohn's disease (CD) and ulcerative colitis, EGC exhibit abnormal phenotypes, and their neighboring cells are dysfunctional; however, it remains unclear whether EGC are only passive bystanders or active players in the pathophysiology of both disorders. The aim of the present study is to review the physiological roles and properties of EGC, their response to inflammation, and their role in the regulation of the intestinal epithelial barrier and to discuss the emerging concept of CD as an enteric gliopathy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Camille Pochard
- Inserm, UMR1235 TENS, Nantes , France.,Nantes University , Nantes , France.,Institut des Maladies de l'Appareil Digestif, IMAD, Centre Hospitalier Universitaire de Nantes, Hôpital Hôtel-Dieu, Nantes , France
| | - Sabrina Coquenlorge
- Inserm, UMR1235 TENS, Nantes , France.,Nantes University , Nantes , France.,Institut des Maladies de l'Appareil Digestif, IMAD, Centre Hospitalier Universitaire de Nantes, Hôpital Hôtel-Dieu, Nantes , France
| | - Marie Freyssinet
- Inserm, UMR1235 TENS, Nantes , France.,Nantes University , Nantes , France.,Institut des Maladies de l'Appareil Digestif, IMAD, Centre Hospitalier Universitaire de Nantes, Hôpital Hôtel-Dieu, Nantes , France
| | - Philippe Naveilhan
- Inserm, UMR1235 TENS, Nantes , France.,Nantes University , Nantes , France.,Institut des Maladies de l'Appareil Digestif, IMAD, Centre Hospitalier Universitaire de Nantes, Hôpital Hôtel-Dieu, Nantes , France
| | - Arnaud Bourreille
- Inserm, UMR1235 TENS, Nantes , France.,Nantes University , Nantes , France.,Institut des Maladies de l'Appareil Digestif, IMAD, Centre Hospitalier Universitaire de Nantes, Hôpital Hôtel-Dieu, Nantes , France
| | - Michel Neunlist
- Inserm, UMR1235 TENS, Nantes , France.,Nantes University , Nantes , France.,Institut des Maladies de l'Appareil Digestif, IMAD, Centre Hospitalier Universitaire de Nantes, Hôpital Hôtel-Dieu, Nantes , France
| | - Malvyne Rolli-Derkinderen
- Inserm, UMR1235 TENS, Nantes , France.,Nantes University , Nantes , France.,Institut des Maladies de l'Appareil Digestif, IMAD, Centre Hospitalier Universitaire de Nantes, Hôpital Hôtel-Dieu, Nantes , France
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Boesmans W, Hao MM, Vanden Berghe P. Optogenetic and chemogenetic techniques for neurogastroenterology. Nat Rev Gastroenterol Hepatol 2018; 15:21-38. [PMID: 29184183 DOI: 10.1038/nrgastro.2017.151] [Citation(s) in RCA: 33] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
Optogenetics and chemogenetics comprise a wide variety of applications in which genetically encoded actuators and indicators are used to modulate and monitor activity with high cellular specificity. Over the past 10 years, development of these genetically encoded tools has contributed tremendously to our understanding of integrated physiology. In concert with the continued refinement of probes, strategies to target transgene expression to specific cell types have also made much progress in the past 20 years. In addition, the successful implementation of optogenetic and chemogenetic techniques thrives thanks to ongoing advances in live imaging microscopy and optical technology. Although innovation of optogenetic and chemogenetic methods has been primarily driven by researchers studying the central nervous system, these techniques also hold great promise to boost research in neurogastroenterology. In this Review, we describe the different classes of tools that are currently available and give an overview of the strategies to target them to specific cell types in the gut wall. We discuss the possibilities and limitations of optogenetic and chemogenetic technology in the gut and provide an overview of their current use, with a focus on the enteric nervous system. Furthermore, we suggest some experiments that can advance our understanding of how the intrinsic and extrinsic neural networks of the gut control gastrointestinal function.
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Affiliation(s)
- Werend Boesmans
- Laboratory for Enteric Neuroscience (LENS), Translational Research Center for Gastrointestinal Disorders (TARGID), University of Leuven, Herestraat 49, O&N 1 Box 701, 3000 Leuven, Belgium.,Department of Pathology, Maastricht University Medical Center, P. Debeijelaan 25, 6229 HX, Maastricht, The Netherlands
| | - Marlene M Hao
- Laboratory for Enteric Neuroscience (LENS), Translational Research Center for Gastrointestinal Disorders (TARGID), University of Leuven, Herestraat 49, O&N 1 Box 701, 3000 Leuven, Belgium.,Department of Anatomy and Neuroscience, University of Melbourne, Parkville, Victoria 3010, Australia
| | - Pieter Vanden Berghe
- Laboratory for Enteric Neuroscience (LENS), Translational Research Center for Gastrointestinal Disorders (TARGID), University of Leuven, Herestraat 49, O&N 1 Box 701, 3000 Leuven, Belgium
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Neckel PH, Mattheus U, Hirt B, Just L, Mack AF. Large-scale tissue clearing (PACT): Technical evaluation and new perspectives in immunofluorescence, histology, and ultrastructure. Sci Rep 2016; 6:34331. [PMID: 27680942 PMCID: PMC5041186 DOI: 10.1038/srep34331] [Citation(s) in RCA: 55] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/02/2016] [Accepted: 09/12/2016] [Indexed: 12/27/2022] Open
Abstract
Novel techniques, like CLARITY and PACT, render large tissue specimens transparent and thereby suitable for microscopic analysis. We used these techniques to evaluate their potential in the intestine as an exemplary organ with a complex tissue composition. Immunohistochemistry, light sheet-, and confocal scanning-microscopy enabled us to follow complex three-dimensional structures, like nerve fibers, vessels, and epithelial barriers throughout the entire organ. Moreover, in a systematic electron microscopic study, we analyzed the morphology and preservation of tissue on ultrastructural level during the clearing process. We also connect tissue clearing with classical histology and demonstrate that cleared tissues can be stained with Hematoxylin-Eosin and Heidenhain's Azan stain, suggesting potential use in histopathology. These experiments showed that a neutral pH during the clearing process results in much better preservation of tissue ultrastructure and standard stainability. Volume changes of specimens were monitored and quantified during the course of the protocol. Additionally, we employed the technique to visualize the enteric nervous system and the epithelial barrier in post mortem human gut preparations. Our data show the high potential of tissue clearing throughout different tissue types supporting its usefulness in research and diagnosis, and contribute to the technical discussion of ultrastructural tissue-retention.
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Affiliation(s)
- Peter H. Neckel
- Institute of Clinical Anatomy and Cell Analysis, University of Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany
| | - Ulrich Mattheus
- Institute of Clinical Anatomy and Cell Analysis, University of Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany
| | - Bernhard Hirt
- Institute of Clinical Anatomy and Cell Analysis, University of Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany
| | - Lothar Just
- Institute of Clinical Anatomy and Cell Analysis, University of Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany
| | - Andreas F. Mack
- Institute of Clinical Anatomy and Cell Analysis, University of Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany
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