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Abo-Shaban T, Lee CYQ, Hosie S, Balasuriya GK, Mohsenipour M, Johnston LA, Hill-Yardin EL. GutMap: A New Interface for Analysing Regional Motility Patterns in ex vivo Mouse Gastrointestinal Preparations. Bio Protoc 2023; 13:e4831. [PMID: 37817909 PMCID: PMC10560633 DOI: 10.21769/bioprotoc.4831] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/13/2023] [Revised: 06/25/2023] [Accepted: 07/03/2023] [Indexed: 10/12/2023] Open
Abstract
Different regions of the gastrointestinal tract have specific functions and thus distinct motility patterns. Motility is primarily regulated by the enteric nervous system (ENS), an intrinsic network of neurons located within the gut wall. Under physiological conditions, the ENS is influenced by the central nervous system (CNS). However, by using ex vivo organ bath experiments, ENS regulation of gut motility can also be studied in the absence of CNS influences. The current technique enables the characterisation of small intestinal, caecal, and colonic motility patterns using an ex vivo organ bath and video imaging protocol. This approach is combined with the novel edge detection script GutMap, available in MATLAB, that functions across Windows and Mac platforms. Dissected intestinal segments are cannulated in an organ bath containing physiological saline with a camera mounted overhead. Video recordings of gut contractions are then converted to spatiotemporal heatmaps and analysed using the GutMap software interface. Using data analysed from the heatmaps, parameters of contractile patterns (including contraction propagation frequency and velocity as well as gut diameter) at baseline and in the presence of drugs/treatments/genetic mutations can be compared. Here, we studied motility patterns of female mice at baseline and in the presence of a nitric oxide synthase inhibitor (Nω-Nitro-L-arginine; NOLA) (nitric oxide being the main inhibitory neurotransmitter of gut motility) to showcase the application of GutMap. This technique is suitable for application to a broad range of animal models of clinical disorders to understand underlying biological pathways contributing to gastrointestinal dysfunction. Key features • Enhanced video imaging analysis of gut contractility in rodents using a novel software interface. • New edge detection algorithm to accurately contour curvatures of the gastrointestinal tract. • Allows for output of high-resolution spatiotemporal heatmaps across Windows and Mac platforms. • Edge detection and analysis method makes motility measurements accessible in different gut regions including the caecum and stomach.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tanya Abo-Shaban
- School of Health and Biomedical Sciences, STEM College, RMIT University, Bundoora, VIC, Australia
| | - Chalystha Y. Q. Lee
- School of Health and Biomedical Sciences, STEM College, RMIT University, Bundoora, VIC, Australia
| | - Suzanne Hosie
- School of Health and Biomedical Sciences, STEM College, RMIT University, Bundoora, VIC, Australia
| | - Gayathri K. Balasuriya
- School of Health and Biomedical Sciences, STEM College, RMIT University, Bundoora, VIC, Australia
- Graduate School of Medicine, Kobe University, Kobe, Japan
| | - Mitra Mohsenipour
- School of Health and Biomedical Sciences, STEM College, RMIT University, Bundoora, VIC, Australia
| | - Leigh A. Johnston
- Department of Biomedical Engineering and Melbourne Brain Centre Imaging Unit, The University of Melbourne, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
| | - Elisa L. Hill-Yardin
- School of Health and Biomedical Sciences, STEM College, RMIT University, Bundoora, VIC, Australia
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Lee CYQ, Balasuriya GK, Herath M, Franks AE, Hill-Yardin EL. Impaired cecal motility and secretion alongside expansion of gut-associated lymphoid tissue in the Nlgn3 R451C mouse model of autism. Sci Rep 2023; 13:12687. [PMID: 37542090 PMCID: PMC10403596 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-023-39555-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/26/2023] [Accepted: 07/27/2023] [Indexed: 08/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Individuals with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD; autism) commonly present with gastrointestinal (GI) illness in addition to core diagnostic behavioural traits. The appendix, or cecum in mice, is important for GI homeostasis via its function as a key site for fermentation and a microbial reservoir. Even so, the role of the appendix and cecum in autism-associated GI symptoms remains uninvestigated. Here, we studied mice with an autism-associated missense mutation in the post-synaptic protein neuroligin-3 (Nlgn3R451C), which impacts brain and enteric neuronal activity. We assessed for changes in cecal motility using a tri-cannulation video-imaging approach in ex vivo preparations from wild-type and Nlgn3R451C mice. We investigated cecal permeability and neurally-evoked secretion in wild-type and Nlgn3R451C tissues using an Ussing chamber set-up. The number of cecal patches in fresh tissue samples were assessed and key immune populations including gut macrophages and dendritic cells were visualised using immunofluorescence. Nlgn3R451C mice displayed accelerated cecal motor complexes and reduced cecal weight in comparison to wildtype littermates. Nlgn3R451C mice also demonstrated reduced neurally-evoked cecal secretion in response to the nicotinic acetylcholine receptor agonist 1,1-dimethyl-4-phenylpiperazinium (DMPP), but permeability was unchanged. We observed an increase in the number of cecal patches in Nlgn3R451C mice, however the cellular morphologies of key immune populations studied were not significantly altered. We show that the R451C nervous system mutation leads to cecal dysmotility, impaired secretion, and neuro-immune alterations. Together, these results suggest that the R451C mutation disrupts the gut-brain axis with GI dysfunction in autism.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chalystha Yie Qin Lee
- School of Health and Biomedical Sciences, RMIT University, 223, Bundoora West Campus, 225-245 Clements Drive, Bundoora, VIC, 3083, Australia
| | | | - Madushani Herath
- Department of Pathology and Immunology, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, USA
- Department of Pathology, Texas Children's Microbiome Center, Texas Children's Hospital, Houston, TX, USA
- Department of Physiology, University of Melbourne, Parkville, VIC, Australia
| | - Ashley E Franks
- School of Life Sciences, La Trobe University, Bundoora, VIC, Australia
| | - Elisa L Hill-Yardin
- School of Health and Biomedical Sciences, RMIT University, 223, Bundoora West Campus, 225-245 Clements Drive, Bundoora, VIC, 3083, Australia.
- Department of Physiology, University of Melbourne, Parkville, VIC, Australia.
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Abo-Shaban T, Sharna SS, Hosie S, Lee CYQ, Balasuriya GK, McKeown SJ, Franks AE, Hill-Yardin EL. Issues for patchy tissues: defining roles for gut-associated lymphoid tissue in neurodevelopment and disease. J Neural Transm (Vienna) 2023; 130:269-280. [PMID: 36309872 PMCID: PMC10033573 DOI: 10.1007/s00702-022-02561-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/30/2022] [Accepted: 10/20/2022] [Indexed: 10/31/2022]
Abstract
Individuals diagnosed with neurodevelopmental conditions such as autism spectrum disorder (ASD; autism) often experience tissue inflammation as well as gastrointestinal dysfunction, yet their underlying causes remain poorly characterised. Notably, the largest components of the body's immune system, including gut-associated lymphoid tissue (GALT), lie within the gastrointestinal tract. A major constituent of GALT in humans comprises secretory lymphoid aggregates known as Peyer's patches that sense and combat constant exposure to pathogens and infectious agents. Essential to the functions of Peyer's patches is its communication with the enteric nervous system (ENS), an intrinsic neural network that regulates gastrointestinal function. Crosstalk between these tissues contribute to the microbiota-gut-brain axis that altogether influences mood and behaviour. Increasing evidence further points to a critical role for this signalling axis in neurodevelopmental homeostasis and disease. Notably, while the neuroimmunomodulatory functions for Peyer's patches are increasingly better understood, functions for tissues of analogous function, such as caecal patches, remain less well characterised. Here, we compare the structure, function and development of Peyer's patches, as well as caecal and appendix patches in humans and model organisms including mice to highlight the roles for these essential tissues in health and disease. We propose that perturbations to GALT function may underlie inflammatory disorders and gastrointestinal dysfunction in neurodevelopmental conditions such as autism.
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Affiliation(s)
- T Abo-Shaban
- School of Health and Biomedical Sciences, RMIT University, Bundoora, VIC, Australia
| | - S S Sharna
- School of Health and Biomedical Sciences, RMIT University, Bundoora, VIC, Australia
- Department of Pathology and Immunology, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, USA
- Department of Pathology, Texas Children's Microbiome Center, Texas Children's Hospital, Houston, TX, USA
| | - S Hosie
- School of Health and Biomedical Sciences, RMIT University, Bundoora, VIC, Australia
| | - C Y Q Lee
- School of Health and Biomedical Sciences, RMIT University, Bundoora, VIC, Australia
| | - G K Balasuriya
- Department of Physiology and Cell Biology, Kobe University School of Medicine, 7-5-1 Kusunoki-Cho, Chuo, Kobe, 650-0017, Japan
| | - S J McKeown
- Development and Stem Cells Program, Monash Biomedicine Discovery Institute, Department of Anatomy and Developmental Biology, Monash University, Clayton, VIC, Australia
| | - A E Franks
- Department of Physiology, Anatomy and Microbiology, School of Life Sciences, La Trobe University, Bundoora, VIC, Australia
| | - E L Hill-Yardin
- School of Health and Biomedical Sciences, RMIT University, Bundoora, VIC, Australia.
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Miller KJW, Cheng LK, Angeli-Gordon TR, Avci R, Paskaranandavadivel N. The bioelectrical conduction system around the ileocecal junction defined through in vivo high-resolution mapping in rabbits. Am J Physiol Gastrointest Liver Physiol 2022; 323:G318-G330. [PMID: 35916409 DOI: 10.1152/ajpgi.00329.2021] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/31/2023]
Abstract
Coordinated contractions across the small and large intestines via the ileocecal junction (ICJ) are critical to healthy gastrointestinal function and are in part governed by myoelectrical activity. In this study, the spatiotemporal characteristics of the bioelectrical conduction across the ICJ and its adjacent regions were quantified in anesthetized rabbits. High-resolution mapping was applied from the terminal ileum (TI) to the sacculus rotundus (SR), across the ICJ and into the beginning of the large intestine at the cecum ampulla coli (AC). Orally propagating slow wave patterns in the SR did not entrain the TI. However, aborally propagating patterns from the TI were able to entrain the SR. Bioelectrical activity was recorded within the ICJ and AC, revealing complex interactions of slow waves, spike bursts, and bioelectrical quiescence. This suggests the involvement of myogenic coordination when regulating motility between the small and large intestines. Mean slow wave frequency between regions did not vary significantly (13.74-17.16 cycles/min). Slow waves in the SR propagated with significantly faster speeds (18.51 ± 1.57 mm/s) compared with the TI (14.05 ± 2.53 mm/s, P = 0.0113) and AC (9.56 ± 1.56 mm/s, P = 0.0001). Significantly higher amplitudes were observed in both the TI (0.28 ± 0.13 mV, P = 0.0167) and SR (0.24 ± 0.08 mV, P = 0.0159) within the small intestine compared with the large intestine AC (0.03 ± 0.01 mV). We hypothesize that orally propagating slow waves facilitate a motor-brake pattern in the SR to limit outflow into the ICJ, similar to those previously observed in other gastrointestinal regions.NEW & NOTEWORTHY Competing slow wave pacemakers were observed in the terminal ileum and sacculus rotundus. Prevalent oral propagation in the sacculus rotundus toward the terminal ileum potentially acts as a brake mechanism limiting outflow. Slow waves and periods of quiescence at the ileocecal junction suggest that activation may depend on the coregulatory flow and distention pathways. Slow waves and spike bursts in the cecum impart a role in the coordination of motility.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kiara J W Miller
- Auckland Bioengineering Institute, University of Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand
| | - Leo K Cheng
- Auckland Bioengineering Institute, University of Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand.,Riddet Institute, Palmerston North, New Zealand
| | - Timothy R Angeli-Gordon
- Auckland Bioengineering Institute, University of Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand.,Riddet Institute, Palmerston North, New Zealand
| | - Recep Avci
- Auckland Bioengineering Institute, University of Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand
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Intraluminal pressure patterns in the human colon assessed by high-resolution manometry. Sci Rep 2017; 7:41436. [PMID: 28216670 PMCID: PMC5316981 DOI: 10.1038/srep41436] [Citation(s) in RCA: 48] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/27/2016] [Accepted: 12/13/2016] [Indexed: 02/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Assessment of colonic motor dysfunction is rarely done because of inadequate methodology and lack of knowledge about normal motor patterns. Here we report on elucidation of intraluminal pressure patterns using High Resolution Colonic Manometry during a baseline period and in response to a meal, in 15 patients with constipation, chronically dependent on laxatives, 5 healthy volunteers and 9 patients with minor, transient, IBS-like symptoms but no sign of constipation. Simultaneous pressure waves (SPWs) were the most prominent propulsive motor pattern, associated with gas expulsion and anal sphincter relaxation, inferred to be associated with fast propagating contractions. Isolated pressure transients occurred in most sensors, ranging in amplitude from 5–230 mmHg. Rhythmic haustral boundary pressure transients occurred at sensors about 4–5 cm apart. Synchronized haustral pressure waves, covering 3–5 cm of the colon occurred to create a characteristic intrahaustral cyclic motor pattern at 3–6 cycles/min, propagating in mixed direction. This activity abruptly alternated with erratic patterns resembling the segmentation motor pattern of the small intestine. High amplitude propagating pressure waves (HAPWs) were too rare to contribute to function assessment in most subjects. Most patients, dependent on laxatives for defecation, were able to generate normal motor patterns in response to a meal.
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