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Yu Q, Liu L, Du M, Müller D, Gu Y, Gao Z, Xin X, Gu Y, He M, Marquardt T, Wang L. Sacral Neural Crest-Independent Origin of the Enteric Nervous System in Mouse. Gastroenterology 2024; 166:1085-1099. [PMID: 38452824 DOI: 10.1053/j.gastro.2024.02.034] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/10/2023] [Revised: 02/18/2024] [Accepted: 02/22/2024] [Indexed: 03/09/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND & AIMS The enteric nervous system (ENS), the gut's intrinsic nervous system critical for gastrointestinal function and gut-brain communication, is believed to mainly originate from vagal neural crest cells (vNCCs) and partially from sacral NCCs (sNCCs). Resolving the exact origins of the ENS is critical for understanding congenital ENS diseases but has been confounded by the inability to distinguish between both NCC populations in situ. Here, we aimed to resolve the exact origins of the mammalian ENS. METHODS We genetically engineered mouse embryos facilitating comparative lineage-tracing of either all (pan-) NCCs including vNCCs or caudal trunk and sNCCs (s/tNCCs) excluding vNCCs. This was combined with dual-lineage tracing and 3-dimensional reconstruction of pelvic plexus and hindgut to precisely pinpoint sNCC and vNCC contributions. We further used coculture assays to determine the specificity of cell migration from different neural tissues into the hindgut. RESULTS Both pan-NCCs and s/tNCCs contributed to established NCC derivatives but only pan-NCCs contributed to the ENS. Dual-lineage tracing combined with 3-dimensional reconstruction revealed that s/tNCCs settle in complex patterns in pelvic plexus and hindgut-surrounding tissues, explaining previous confusion regarding their contributions. Coculture experiments revealed unspecific cell migration from autonomic, sensory, and neural tube explants into the hindgut. Lineage tracing of ENS precursors lastly provided complimentary evidence for an exclusive vNCC origin of the murine ENS. CONCLUSIONS sNCCs do not contribute to the murine ENS, suggesting that the mammalian ENS exclusively originates from vNCCs. These results have immediate implications for comprehending (and devising treatments for) congenital ENS disorders, including Hirschsprung's disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qi Yu
- Department of Neurology of the Second Affiliated Hospital and Department of Human Anatomy, Histology and Embryology, System Medicine Research Center, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, China; MOE Frontier Science Center for Brain Research and Brain-Machine Integration, State Key Laboratory of Brain-Machine Intelligence, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China; Institute of Neuroscience, NHC and CAMS Key Laboratory of Medical Neurobiology, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China
| | - Li Liu
- Department of Pediatric General Surgery, Children's Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, National Clinical Research Center for Child Health, Hangzhou, China
| | - Mengjie Du
- Department of Pathology, the Second Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, China
| | - Daniel Müller
- Interfaculty Chair of Neurobiology, Clinic for Neurology, RWTH Aachen University Medicine (UKA) and Institute for Biology 2, Faculty for Mathematics, Computer and Natural Sciences, Aachen, Germany
| | - Yan Gu
- Center of Stem Cell and Regenerative Medicine, and Department of Neurology of the Second Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, China
| | - Zhigang Gao
- Department of Pediatric General Surgery, Children's Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, National Clinical Research Center for Child Health, Hangzhou, China
| | - Xiaolong Xin
- Department of Neurology of the Second Affiliated Hospital and Department of Human Anatomy, Histology and Embryology, System Medicine Research Center, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, China
| | - Yanlan Gu
- Department of Neurology of the Second Affiliated Hospital and Department of Human Anatomy, Histology and Embryology, System Medicine Research Center, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, China
| | - Miao He
- Institutes of Brain Science, State Key Laboratory of Medical Neurobiology and MOE Frontiers Center for Brain Science, Department of Neurobiology, Zhongshan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Till Marquardt
- Interfaculty Chair of Neurobiology, Clinic for Neurology, RWTH Aachen University Medicine (UKA) and Institute for Biology 2, Faculty for Mathematics, Computer and Natural Sciences, Aachen, Germany.
| | - Liang Wang
- Department of Neurology of the Second Affiliated Hospital and Department of Human Anatomy, Histology and Embryology, System Medicine Research Center, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, China; MOE Frontier Science Center for Brain Research and Brain-Machine Integration, State Key Laboratory of Brain-Machine Intelligence, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China; Institute of Neuroscience, NHC and CAMS Key Laboratory of Medical Neurobiology, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China.
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Halasy V, Szőcs E, Soós Á, Kovács T, Pecsenye-Fejszák N, Hotta R, Goldstein AM, Nagy N. CXCR4 and CXCL12 signaling regulates the development of extrinsic innervation to the colorectum. Development 2023; 150:dev201289. [PMID: 37039233 PMCID: PMC10263150 DOI: 10.1242/dev.201289] [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: 09/09/2022] [Accepted: 01/25/2023] [Indexed: 04/12/2023]
Abstract
The gastrointestinal tract is innervated by an intrinsic neuronal network, known as the enteric nervous system (ENS), and by extrinsic axons arising from peripheral ganglia. The nerve of Remak (NoR) is an avian-specific sacral neural crest-derived ganglionated structure that extends from the cloaca to the proximal midgut and, similar to the pelvic plexus, provides extrinsic innervation to the distal intestine. The molecular mechanisms controlling extrinsic nerve fiber growth into the gut is unknown. In vertebrates, CXCR4, a cell-surface receptor for the CXCL12 chemokine, regulates migration of neural crest cells and axon pathfinding. We have employed chimeric tissue recombinations and organ culture assays to study the role of CXCR4 and CXCL12 molecules in the development of colorectal innervation. CXCR4 is specifically expressed in nerve fibers arising from the NoR and pelvic plexus, while CXCL12 is localized to the hindgut mesenchyme and enteric ganglia. Overexpression of CXCL12 results in significantly enhanced axonal projections to the gut from the NoR, while CXCR4 inhibition disrupts nerve fiber extension, supporting a previously unreported role for CXCR4 and CXCL12 signaling in extrinsic innervation of the colorectum.
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Affiliation(s)
- Viktória Halasy
- Department of Anatomy, Histology and Embryology, Faculty of Medicine, Semmelweis University, Budapest 1094, Hungary
| | - Emőke Szőcs
- Department of Anatomy, Histology and Embryology, Faculty of Medicine, Semmelweis University, Budapest 1094, Hungary
| | - Ádám Soós
- Department of Anatomy, Histology and Embryology, Faculty of Medicine, Semmelweis University, Budapest 1094, Hungary
| | - Tamás Kovács
- Department of Anatomy, Histology and Embryology, Faculty of Medicine, Semmelweis University, Budapest 1094, Hungary
| | - Nóra Pecsenye-Fejszák
- Department of Anatomy, Histology and Embryology, Faculty of Medicine, Semmelweis University, Budapest 1094, Hungary
| | - Ryo Hotta
- Department of Pediatric Surgery, Pediatric Surgery Research Laboratories, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02114, USA
| | - Allan M. Goldstein
- Department of Pediatric Surgery, Pediatric Surgery Research Laboratories, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02114, USA
| | - Nándor Nagy
- Department of Anatomy, Histology and Embryology, Faculty of Medicine, Semmelweis University, Budapest 1094, Hungary
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3
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Sicard P, Falco A, Faure S, Thireau J, Lindsey SE, Chauvet N, de Santa Barbara P. High-resolution ultrasound and speckle tracking: a non-invasive approach to assess in vivo gastrointestinal motility during development. Development 2022; 149:dev200625. [PMID: 35912573 PMCID: PMC10655954 DOI: 10.1242/dev.200625] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/07/2022] [Accepted: 07/18/2022] [Indexed: 11/19/2023]
Abstract
Gastrointestinal motor activity has been extensively studied in adults; however, only few studies have investigated fetal motor skills. It is unknown when the gastrointestinal tract starts to contract during the embryonic period and how this function evolves during development. Here, we adapted a non-invasive high-resolution echography technique combined with speckle tracking analysis to examine the gastrointestinal tract motor activity dynamics during chick embryo development. We provided the first recordings of fetal gastrointestinal motility in living embryos without anesthesia. We found that, although gastrointestinal contractions appear very early during development, they become synchronized only at the end of the fetal period. To validate this approach, we used various pharmacological inhibitors and BAPX1 gene overexpression in vivo. We found that the enteric nervous system determines the onset of the synchronized contractions in the stomach. Moreover, alteration of smooth muscle fiber organization led to an impairment of this functional activity. Altogether, our findings show that non-invasive high-resolution echography and speckle tracking analysis allows visualization and quantification of gastrointestinal motility during development and highlight the progressive acquisition of functional and coordinated gastrointestinal motility before birth.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pierre Sicard
- PhyMedExp, University of Montpellier, INSERM, CNRS, 34295 Montpellier, France
- IPAM, Biocampus Montpellier, CNRS, INSERM, University of Montpellier, 34295 Montpellier, France
| | - Amandine Falco
- PhyMedExp, University of Montpellier, INSERM, CNRS, 34295 Montpellier, France
| | - Sandrine Faure
- PhyMedExp, University of Montpellier, INSERM, CNRS, 34295 Montpellier, France
| | - Jérome Thireau
- PhyMedExp, University of Montpellier, INSERM, CNRS, 34295 Montpellier, France
| | - Stéphanie E. Lindsey
- PhyMedExp, University of Montpellier, INSERM, CNRS, 34295 Montpellier, France
- Department of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering, University of California San Diego (UCSD), La Jolla, CA 92093, USA
| | - Norbert Chauvet
- PhyMedExp, University of Montpellier, INSERM, CNRS, 34295 Montpellier, France
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Rueckert H, Ganz J. How to Heal the Gut's Brain: Regeneration of the Enteric Nervous System. Int J Mol Sci 2022; 23:ijms23094799. [PMID: 35563190 PMCID: PMC9105052 DOI: 10.3390/ijms23094799] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/31/2022] [Revised: 04/20/2022] [Accepted: 04/20/2022] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
The neural-crest-derived enteric nervous system (ENS) is the intrinsic nervous system of the gastrointestinal (GI) tract and controls all gut functions, including motility. Lack of ENS neurons causes various ENS disorders such as Hirschsprung Disease. One treatment option for ENS disorders includes the activation of resident stem cells to regenerate ENS neurons. Regeneration in the ENS has mainly been studied in mammalian species using surgical or chemically induced injury methods. These mammalian studies showed a variety of regenerative responses with generally limited regeneration of ENS neurons but (partial) regrowth and functional recovery of nerve fibers. Several aspects might contribute to the variety in regenerative responses, including observation time after injury, species, and gut region targeted. Zebrafish have recently emerged as a promising model system to study ENS regeneration as larvae possess the ability to generate new neurons after ablation. As the next steps in ENS regeneration research, we need a detailed understanding of how regeneration is regulated on a cellular and molecular level in animal models with both high and low regenerative capacity. Understanding the regulatory programs necessary for robust ENS regeneration will pave the way for using neural regeneration as a therapeutic approach to treating ENS disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Helen Rueckert
- Department of Integrative Biology, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI 48824, USA;
- Department of Cell Biology, Duke University School of Medicine, Durham, NC 27710, USA
- Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Duke University School of Medicine, Durham, NC 27710, USA
| | - Julia Ganz
- Department of Integrative Biology, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI 48824, USA;
- Correspondence:
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Boesmans W, Nash A, Tasnády KR, Yang W, Stamp LA, Hao MM. Development, Diversity, and Neurogenic Capacity of Enteric Glia. Front Cell Dev Biol 2022; 9:775102. [PMID: 35111752 PMCID: PMC8801887 DOI: 10.3389/fcell.2021.775102] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/13/2021] [Accepted: 12/09/2021] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Enteric glia are a fascinating population of cells. Initially identified in the gut wall as the "support" cells of the enteric nervous system, studies over the past 20 years have unveiled a vast array of functions carried out by enteric glia. They mediate enteric nervous system signalling and play a vital role in the local regulation of gut functions. Enteric glial cells interact with other gastrointestinal cell types such as those of the epithelium and immune system to preserve homeostasis, and are perceptive to luminal content. Their functional versatility and phenotypic heterogeneity are mirrored by an extensive level of plasticity, illustrated by their reactivity in conditions associated with enteric nervous system dysfunction and disease. As one of the hallmarks of their plasticity and extending their operative relationship with enteric neurons, enteric glia also display neurogenic potential. In this review, we focus on the development of enteric glial cells, and the mechanisms behind their heterogeneity in the adult gut. In addition, we discuss what is currently known about the role of enteric glia as neural precursors in the enteric nervous system.
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Affiliation(s)
- Werend Boesmans
- Biomedical Research Institute (BIOMED), Hasselt University, Hasselt, Belgium
- Department of Pathology, GROW-School for Oncology and Developmental Biology, Maastricht University Medical Centre, Maastricht, Netherlands
| | - Amelia Nash
- Department of Anatomy and Physiology, The University of Melbourne, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
| | - Kinga R. Tasnády
- Biomedical Research Institute (BIOMED), Hasselt University, Hasselt, Belgium
- Department of Pathology, GROW-School for Oncology and Developmental Biology, Maastricht University Medical Centre, Maastricht, Netherlands
| | - Wendy Yang
- Department of Anatomy and Physiology, The University of Melbourne, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
- Graduate Institute of Clinical Medicine, College of Medicine, National Taiwan University, Taiwan, Taiwan
| | - Lincon A. Stamp
- Department of Anatomy and Physiology, The University of Melbourne, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
| | - Marlene M. Hao
- Department of Anatomy and Physiology, The University of Melbourne, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
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6
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Shaping axial identity during human pluripotent stem cell differentiation to neural crest cells. Biochem Soc Trans 2022; 50:499-511. [PMID: 35015077 PMCID: PMC9022984 DOI: 10.1042/bst20211152] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/02/2021] [Revised: 12/07/2021] [Accepted: 12/21/2021] [Indexed: 12/18/2022]
Abstract
The neural crest (NC) is a multipotent cell population which can give rise to a vast array of derivatives including neurons and glia of the peripheral nervous system, cartilage, cardiac smooth muscle, melanocytes and sympathoadrenal cells. An attractive strategy to model human NC development and associated birth defects as well as produce clinically relevant cell populations for regenerative medicine applications involves the in vitro generation of NC from human pluripotent stem cells (hPSCs). However, in vivo, the potential of NC cells to generate distinct cell types is determined by their position along the anteroposterior (A–P) axis and, therefore the axial identity of hPSC-derived NC cells is an important aspect to consider. Recent advances in understanding the developmental origins of NC and the signalling pathways involved in its specification have aided the in vitro generation of human NC cells which are representative of various A–P positions. Here, we explore recent advances in methodologies of in vitro NC specification and axis patterning using hPSCs.
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7
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Graves CL, Chen A, Kwon V, Shiau CE. Zebrafish harbor diverse intestinal macrophage populations including a subset intimately associated with enteric neural processes. iScience 2021; 24:102496. [PMID: 34142024 PMCID: PMC8185245 DOI: 10.1016/j.isci.2021.102496] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/20/2020] [Revised: 03/17/2021] [Accepted: 04/28/2021] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Intestinal macrophages are essential for gut health but remain understudied outside of human and mouse systems. Here, we establish zebrafish as a powerful model that provides superior imaging capabilities for whole-gut analysis along all dimensions (anterior-posterior and center-outer axes) for dissecting macrophage biology in gastrointestinal health and disease. We utilized high-resolution imaging to show that the zebrafish gut contains bona fide muscularis and mucosal macrophages, as well as surprisingly large subsets intimately associated with enteric neural processes. Interestingly, most muscularis macrophages span multiple gut layers in stark contrast to their mammalian counterparts typically restricted to a single layer. Using macrophage-deficient irf8 zebrafish, we found a depletion of muscularis but not mucosal macrophages, and that they may be dispensable for gross intestinal transit in adults but not during development. These characterizations provide first insights into intestinal macrophages and their association with the enteric nervous system from development to adulthood in teleosts.
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Affiliation(s)
- Christina L. Graves
- Department of Biology, University of North Carolina Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC 27599, USA
| | - Angela Chen
- Department of Biology, University of North Carolina Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC 27599, USA
| | - Victoria Kwon
- Department of Biology, University of North Carolina Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC 27599, USA
| | - Celia E. Shiau
- Department of Biology, University of North Carolina Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC 27599, USA
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of North Carolina Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC 27599, USA
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8
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Howard AG, Baker PA, Ibarra-García-Padilla R, Moore JA, Rivas LJ, Tallman JJ, Singleton EW, Westheimer JL, Corteguera JA, Uribe RA. An atlas of neural crest lineages along the posterior developing zebrafish at single-cell resolution. eLife 2021; 10:60005. [PMID: 33591267 PMCID: PMC7886338 DOI: 10.7554/elife.60005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 34] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/14/2020] [Accepted: 01/31/2021] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Neural crest cells (NCCs) are vertebrate stem cells that give rise to various cell types throughout the developing body in early life. Here, we utilized single-cell transcriptomic analyses to delineate NCC-derivatives along the posterior developing vertebrate, zebrafish, during the late embryonic to early larval stage, a period when NCCs are actively differentiating into distinct cellular lineages. We identified several major NCC/NCC-derived cell-types including mesenchyme, neural crest, neural, neuronal, glial, and pigment, from which we resolved over three dozen cellular subtypes. We dissected gene expression signatures of pigment progenitors delineating into chromatophore lineages, mesenchyme cells, and enteric NCCs transforming into enteric neurons. Global analysis of NCC derivatives revealed they were demarcated by combinatorial hox gene codes, with distinct profiles within neuronal cells. From these analyses, we present a comprehensive cell-type atlas that can be utilized as a valuable resource for further mechanistic and evolutionary investigations of NCC differentiation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aubrey Ga Howard
- Department of BioSciences, Rice University, Houston, United States
| | - Phillip A Baker
- Department of BioSciences, Rice University, Houston, United States
| | | | - Joshua A Moore
- Department of BioSciences, Rice University, Houston, United States
| | - Lucia J Rivas
- Department of BioSciences, Rice University, Houston, United States
| | - James J Tallman
- Department of BioSciences, Rice University, Houston, United States
| | | | | | | | - Rosa A Uribe
- Department of BioSciences, Rice University, Houston, United States
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9
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Blanco AM, Calo J, Soengas JL. The gut–brain axis in vertebrates: implications for food intake regulation. J Exp Biol 2021; 224:224/1/jeb231571. [DOI: 10.1242/jeb.231571] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
ABSTRACT
The gut and brain are constantly communicating and influencing each other through neural, endocrine and immune signals in an interaction referred to as the gut–brain axis. Within this communication system, the gastrointestinal tract, including the gut microbiota, sends information on energy status to the brain, which, after integrating these and other inputs, transmits feedback to the gastrointestinal tract. This allows the regulation of food intake and other physiological processes occurring in the gastrointestinal tract, including motility, secretion, digestion and absorption. Although extensive literature is available on the mechanisms governing the communication between the gut and the brain in mammals, studies on this axis in other vertebrates are scarce and often limited to a single species, which may not be representative for obtaining conclusions for an entire group. This Review aims to compile the available information on the gut–brain axis in birds, reptiles, amphibians and fish, with a special focus on its involvement in food intake regulation and, to a lesser extent, in digestive processes. Additionally, we will identify gaps of knowledge that need to be filled in order to better understand the functioning and physiological significance of such an axis in non-mammalian vertebrates.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ayelén Melisa Blanco
- Laboratorio de Fisioloxía Animal, Departamento de Bioloxía Funcional e Ciencias da Saúde, Facultade de Bioloxía and Centro de Investigación Mariña, Universidade de Vigo, 36310 Vigo, Pontevedra, Spain
| | - Jessica Calo
- Laboratorio de Fisioloxía Animal, Departamento de Bioloxía Funcional e Ciencias da Saúde, Facultade de Bioloxía and Centro de Investigación Mariña, Universidade de Vigo, 36310 Vigo, Pontevedra, Spain
| | - José Luis Soengas
- Laboratorio de Fisioloxía Animal, Departamento de Bioloxía Funcional e Ciencias da Saúde, Facultade de Bioloxía and Centro de Investigación Mariña, Universidade de Vigo, 36310 Vigo, Pontevedra, Spain
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McCallum S, Obata Y, Fourli E, Boeing S, Peddie CJ, Xu Q, Horswell S, Kelsh RN, Collinson L, Wilkinson D, Pin C, Pachnis V, Heanue TA. Enteric glia as a source of neural progenitors in adult zebrafish. eLife 2020; 9:56086. [PMID: 32851974 PMCID: PMC7521928 DOI: 10.7554/elife.56086] [Citation(s) in RCA: 33] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/17/2020] [Accepted: 08/26/2020] [Indexed: 12/23/2022] Open
Abstract
The presence and identity of neural progenitors in the enteric nervous system (ENS) of vertebrates is a matter of intense debate. Here, we demonstrate that the non-neuronal ENS cell compartment of teleosts shares molecular and morphological characteristics with mammalian enteric glia but cannot be identified by the expression of canonical glial markers. However, unlike their mammalian counterparts, which are generally quiescent and do not undergo neuronal differentiation during homeostasis, we show that a relatively high proportion of zebrafish enteric glia proliferate under physiological conditions giving rise to progeny that differentiate into enteric neurons. We also provide evidence that, similar to brain neural stem cells, the activation and neuronal differentiation of enteric glia are regulated by Notch signalling. Our experiments reveal remarkable similarities between enteric glia and brain neural stem cells in teleosts and open new possibilities for use of mammalian enteric glia as a potential source of neurons to restore the activity of intestinal neural circuits compromised by injury or disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sarah McCallum
- Development and Homeostasis of the Nervous System Laboratory, The Francis Crick Institute, London, United Kingdom
| | - Yuuki Obata
- Development and Homeostasis of the Nervous System Laboratory, The Francis Crick Institute, London, United Kingdom
| | - Evangelia Fourli
- Development and Homeostasis of the Nervous System Laboratory, The Francis Crick Institute, London, United Kingdom
| | - Stefan Boeing
- Bionformatics & Biostatistics Science Technology Platform, The Francis Crick Institute, London, United Kingdom
| | - Christopher J Peddie
- Electron Microscopy Science Technology Platform, The Francis Crick Institute, London, United Kingdom
| | - Qiling Xu
- Neural Development Laboratory, The Francis Crick Institute, London, United Kingdom
| | - Stuart Horswell
- Bionformatics & Biostatistics Science Technology Platform, The Francis Crick Institute, London, United Kingdom
| | - Robert N Kelsh
- Department of Biology and Biochemistry, University of Bath, Bath, United Kingdom
| | - Lucy Collinson
- Electron Microscopy Science Technology Platform, The Francis Crick Institute, London, United Kingdom
| | - David Wilkinson
- Neural Development Laboratory, The Francis Crick Institute, London, United Kingdom
| | - Carmen Pin
- Clinical Pharmacology and Quantitative Pharmacology, Clinical Pharmacology and Safety Sciences, R&D, AstraZeneca, Cambridge, United Kingdom
| | - Vassilis Pachnis
- Development and Homeostasis of the Nervous System Laboratory, The Francis Crick Institute, London, United Kingdom
| | - Tiffany A Heanue
- Development and Homeostasis of the Nervous System Laboratory, The Francis Crick Institute, London, United Kingdom
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11
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El-Nachef WN, Bronner ME. De novo enteric neurogenesis in post-embryonic zebrafish from Schwann cell precursors rather than resident cell types. Development 2020; 147:dev186619. [PMID: 32541008 PMCID: PMC7375481 DOI: 10.1242/dev.186619] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/30/2019] [Accepted: 06/03/2020] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
The enteric nervous system (ENS) is essential for normal gastrointestinal function. Although the embryonic origin of enteric neurons from the neural crest is well established, conflicting evidence exists regarding postnatal enteric neurogenesis. Here, we address this by examining the origin of de novo neurogenesis in the post-embryonic zebrafish ENS. Although new neurons are added during growth and after injury, the larval intestine appears to lack resident neurogenic precursors or classical glia marked by sox10, plp1a, gfap or s100 Rather, lineage tracing with lipophilic dye or inducible Sox10-Cre suggests that post-embryonic enteric neurons arise from trunk neural crest-derived Schwann cell precursors that migrate from the spinal cord into the intestine. Furthermore, the 5-HT4 receptor agonist prucalopride increases enteric neurogenesis in normal development and after injury. Taken together, the results suggest that despite the lack of resident progenitors in the gut, post-embryonic enteric neurogenesis occurs via gut-extrinsic Schwann cell precursors during development and injury, and is promoted by serotonin receptor agonists. The absence of classical glia in the ENS further suggests that neural crest-derived enteric glia might have evolved after the teleost lineage.This article has an associated 'The people behind the papers' interview.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wael Noor El-Nachef
- Department of Medicine, Vatche and Tamar Manoukian Division of Digestive Diseases, University of California Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA 90095, USA
- Division of Biology and Biological Engineering, California Institute of Technology, Pasadena, CA 91125, USA
| | - Marianne E Bronner
- Division of Biology and Biological Engineering, California Institute of Technology, Pasadena, CA 91125, USA
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12
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Margarido AS, Le Guen L, Falco A, Faure S, Chauvet N, de Santa Barbara P. PROX1 is a specific and dynamic marker of sacral neural crest cells in the chicken intestine. J Comp Neurol 2019; 528:879-889. [PMID: 31658363 DOI: 10.1002/cne.24801] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/20/2019] [Revised: 08/31/2019] [Accepted: 10/16/2019] [Indexed: 01/29/2023]
Abstract
The enteric nervous system (ENS) is a complex network constituted of neurons and glial cells that ensures the intrinsic innervation of the gastrointestinal tract. ENS cells originate from vagal and sacral neural crest cells that are initially located at the border of the neural tube. In birds, sacral neural crest cells (sNCCs) first give rise to an extramural ganglionated structure (the so-called Nerve of Remak [NoR]) and to the pelvic plexus. Later, sNCCs enter the colon mesenchyme to colonize and contribute to the intrinsic innervation of the caudal part of the gut. However, no specific sNCC marker has been described. Here, we report the expression pattern of prospero-related homeobox 1 (PROX1) in the developing chick colon. PROX1 is a homeobox domain transcription factor that plays a role in cell type specification in various tissues. Using in situ hybridization and immunofluorescence techniques, we showed that PROX1 is expressed in sNCCs localized in the NoR and in the pelvic plexus. Then, using real-time quantitative PCR we found that PROX1 displays a strong and highly dynamic expression pattern during NoR development. Moreover, we demonstrated using in vivo cell tracing, that sNCCs are the source of the PROX1-positive cells within the NoR. Our results indicate that PROX1 is the first marker that specifically identifies sNCCs. This might help to better identify the role of the different neural crest cell populations in distal gut innervation, and consequently to improve the diagnosis of diseases linked to incomplete ENS formation, such as Hirschsprung's disease.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Ludovic Le Guen
- PHYMEDEXP, Université de Montpellier, INSERM, CNRS, Montpellier, France
| | - Amandine Falco
- PHYMEDEXP, Université de Montpellier, INSERM, CNRS, Montpellier, France
| | - Sandrine Faure
- PHYMEDEXP, Université de Montpellier, INSERM, CNRS, Montpellier, France
| | - Norbert Chauvet
- PHYMEDEXP, Université de Montpellier, INSERM, CNRS, Montpellier, France
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13
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Gonçalves ARN, Marinsek GP, de Souza Abessa DM, de Britto Mari R. Adaptative responses of myenteric neurons of Sphoeroides testudineus to environmental pollution. Neurotoxicology 2019; 76:84-92. [PMID: 31669307 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuro.2019.10.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/17/2019] [Revised: 10/11/2019] [Accepted: 10/22/2019] [Indexed: 01/13/2023]
Abstract
Contamination in estuarine regions affects the local biota damaging the ecosystems and reaching humans. The gastrointestinal tract is a dynamic environment capable of obtaining nutrients and energy from food while it protects the host against harmful toxins and pathogens from the external environment. These functions are modulated by the enteric nervous system and changes in its structure can result in gastrointestinal disorders. The objective of this study was to evaluate if the environmental contaminants have effects on the myenteric neuronal plasticity of pufferfish Sphoeroides testudineus. Animals were collected in Barra do Una River, located at Jureia-Itatins Mosaic of Protected Areas (reference area - RA) and in the Santos Estuarine System (impacted area - IA). Morpho-quantitative analyses of the general and metabolically active myenteric neuronal populations of the proximal and distal intestine were made. Disarrangement was observed in the general organization of the myenteric plexus, with an expressive reduction of the neuronal groups (nodes) in the animals of IA. The vulnerability of the myenteric plexus was evidenced by a decrease in density and cellular profile of the general neuronal population, followed by an increase of the metabolism of the remaining neurons, which in turn was verified by a growth of the area of the cellular and nuclear profiles of the metabolically active neuronal population. Through these analyses, we concluded that animals inhabiting polluted regions present alterations in the myenteric neuronal plasticity, as a way of maintaining the functions of the gastrointestinal tract.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Gabriela Pustiglione Marinsek
- São Paulo State University - Coastal Campus, Laboratório de Morfofisiologia Animal (LABMA), Sao Vicente, Sao Paulo, Brazil
| | - Denis Moledo de Souza Abessa
- São Paulo State University - Coastal Campus, Núcleo de Estudos em Poluição e Ecotoxcologia Aquática (NEPEA), Sao Vicente, Sao Paulo, Brazil
| | - Renata de Britto Mari
- São Paulo State University - Coastal Campus, Laboratório de Morfofisiologia Animal (LABMA), Sao Vicente, Sao Paulo, Brazil
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14
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Corallo D, Donadon M, Pantile M, Sidarovich V, Cocchi S, Ori M, De Sarlo M, Candiani S, Frasson C, Distel M, Quattrone A, Zanon C, Basso G, Tonini GP, Aveic S. LIN28B increases neural crest cell migration and leads to transformation of trunk sympathoadrenal precursors. Cell Death Differ 2019; 27:1225-1242. [PMID: 31601998 DOI: 10.1038/s41418-019-0425-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/07/2019] [Revised: 09/04/2019] [Accepted: 09/12/2019] [Indexed: 01/25/2023] Open
Abstract
The RNA-binding protein LIN28B regulates developmental timing and determines stem cell identity by suppressing the let-7 family of microRNAs. Postembryonic reactivation of LIN28B impairs cell commitment to differentiation, prompting their transformation. In this study, we assessed the extent to which ectopic lin28b expression modulates the physiological behavior of neural crest cells (NCC) and governs their transformation in the trunk region of developing embryos. We provide evidence that the overexpression of lin28b inhibits sympathoadrenal cell differentiation and accelerates NCC migration in two vertebrate models, Xenopus leavis and Danio rerio. Our results highlight the relevance of ITGA5 and ITGA6 in the LIN28B-dependent regulation of the invasive motility of tumor cells. The results also establish that LIN28B overexpression supports neuroblastoma onset and the metastatic potential of malignant cells through let-7a-dependent and let-7a-independent mechanisms.
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Affiliation(s)
- Diana Corallo
- Neuroblastoma Laboratory, Fondazione Istituto di Ricerca Pediatrica Città della Speranza, Padova, Italy.
| | - Michael Donadon
- Neuroblastoma Laboratory, Fondazione Istituto di Ricerca Pediatrica Città della Speranza, Padova, Italy
| | - Marcella Pantile
- Neuroblastoma Laboratory, Fondazione Istituto di Ricerca Pediatrica Città della Speranza, Padova, Italy
| | - Viktoryia Sidarovich
- Department of Cellular, Computational and Integrative Biology (CIBIO), University of Trento, Trento, Italy
| | - Simona Cocchi
- Department of Cellular, Computational and Integrative Biology (CIBIO), University of Trento, Trento, Italy
| | - Michela Ori
- Unit of Cell and Developmental Biology, Department of Biology, University of Pisa, Pisa, Italy
| | - Miriam De Sarlo
- Unit of Cell and Developmental Biology, Department of Biology, University of Pisa, Pisa, Italy
| | - Simona Candiani
- Department of Earth, Environmental and Life Sciences (DISTAV), University of Genoa, Genova, Italy
| | - Chiara Frasson
- Fondazione Istituto di Ricerca Pediatrica Città della Speranza, Padova, Italy
| | - Martin Distel
- Innovative Cancer Models, Children's Cancer Research Institute (CCRI), Wien, Austria
| | - Alessandro Quattrone
- Department of Cellular, Computational and Integrative Biology (CIBIO), University of Trento, Trento, Italy
| | - Carlo Zanon
- Fondazione Istituto di Ricerca Pediatrica Città della Speranza, Padova, Italy
| | - Giuseppe Basso
- Department of Women and Child Health, Haematology-Oncology Clinic, University of Padua, Padova, Italy
| | - Gian Paolo Tonini
- Neuroblastoma Laboratory, Fondazione Istituto di Ricerca Pediatrica Città della Speranza, Padova, Italy
| | - Sanja Aveic
- Neuroblastoma Laboratory, Fondazione Istituto di Ricerca Pediatrica Città della Speranza, Padova, Italy. .,Department of Dental Materials and Biomaterials Research, RWTH Aachen University Hospital, Aachen, Germany.
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15
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Manousiouthakis E, Chen Y, Cairns DM, Pollard R, Gerlovin K, Dente MJ, Razavi Y, Kaplan DL. Bioengineered in vitro enteric nervous system. J Tissue Eng Regen Med 2019; 13:1712-1723. [PMID: 31278844 DOI: 10.1002/term.2926] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/12/2018] [Revised: 06/06/2019] [Accepted: 06/19/2019] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
Bidirectional interactions between the human central nervous system and the gastrointestinal tract, via the enteric nervous system, are unmapped and central to many human conditions. There is a critical need to develop 3D human in vitro intestinal tissue models to emulate the intricate cell interactions of the human enteric nervous system within the gastrointestinal tract in order to better understand these complex interactions that cannot be studied utilizing in vivo animal models. In vitro systems, if sufficiently replicative of some in vivo conditions, may assist with the study of individual cell interactions. Here, we describe a 3D-innervated tissue model of the human intestine consisting of human-induced neural stem cells differentiated into relevant enteric nervous system neural cell types. Enterocyte-like (Caco-2) and goblet-like (HT29-MTX) cells are used to form the intestinal epithelial layer, and intestinal myofibroblasts are utilized to simulate the stromal layer. In vitro enteric nervous system cultures supported survival and function of the various cell types, with mucosal and neural transcription factors evident over 5 weeks. The human-induced neural stem cells migrated from the seeding location on the peripheral layer of the hollow scaffolds toward the luminal epithelial cells, prompted by the addition of neural growth factor. nNOS-expressing neurons and the substance P precursor gene TAC1 were expressed within the in vitro enteric nervous system to support the utility of the tissue model to recapitulate enteric nervous system phenotypes. This innervated tissue system offers a new tool to use to help in understanding neural circuits controlling the human intestine and associated communication networks.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Ying Chen
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Tufts University, Medford, MA
| | - Dana M Cairns
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Tufts University, Medford, MA
| | - Rachel Pollard
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Tufts University, Medford, MA
| | - Kaia Gerlovin
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Tufts University, Medford, MA
| | - Michael J Dente
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Tufts University, Medford, MA
| | - Yasmin Razavi
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Tufts University, Medford, MA
| | - David L Kaplan
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Tufts University, Medford, MA
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16
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Liang Y, Tarique I, Vistro WA, Liu Y, Wang Z, haseeb A, Gandahi NS, Iqbal A, Wang S, An T, Yang H, Chen Q, Yang P. Age-associated changes of the intrinsic nervous system in relation with interstitial cells in the pre-weaning goat rumen. Aging (Albany NY) 2019; 11:4641-4653. [PMID: 31305258 PMCID: PMC6660047 DOI: 10.18632/aging.102076] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/05/2018] [Accepted: 07/01/2019] [Indexed: 05/04/2023]
Abstract
In this study, we investigated the neural changes and their relationships with interstitial cells (ICs) in the rumen of pre-weaning goats by transmission electron microscopy, western blot and immunofluorescence (antibody: general neuronal marker-Protein Gene Product (PGP9.5)/ IC marker-vimentin). The immunofluorescence results showed that PGP9.5-positive reaction was widely distributed in neuronal soma (NS) and nerve fibre (NF). The NSs were observed in the ganglia of the myenteric plexus (MP) but not in the submucosal plexus. The mean optical density (MOD) of the whole of PGP9.5-positive nerves and the protein expression level of PGP.5 in the rumen wall both decreased significantly with age. However an obvious increase MOD of PGP.5-positive NFs within the rumen epithelium were observed. In the MP, the nerves and ICs were interwoven to form two complex networks that gradually tightened with age. Furthermore, NSs and nerve trunks were surrounded by a ring-boundary layer consisting of several ICs that became physically closer with aging. Moreover, ICs were located nearby NFs within the ML, forming connections between ICs, smooth muscle cells and axons. This study describes the pattern of neural distribution and its association with ICs in the developing rumen which shed light on the postpartum development of ruminants.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yu Liang
- MOE Joint International Research Laboratory of Animal Health and Food Safety, College of Veterinary Medicine, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing, Jiangsu 210095, China
| | - Imran Tarique
- MOE Joint International Research Laboratory of Animal Health and Food Safety, College of Veterinary Medicine, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing, Jiangsu 210095, China
| | - Waseem Ail Vistro
- MOE Joint International Research Laboratory of Animal Health and Food Safety, College of Veterinary Medicine, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing, Jiangsu 210095, China
| | - Yifei Liu
- MOE Joint International Research Laboratory of Animal Health and Food Safety, College of Veterinary Medicine, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing, Jiangsu 210095, China
| | - Ziyu Wang
- College of Animal Science and Technology, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing, Jiangsu 210095, China
| | - Abdul haseeb
- MOE Joint International Research Laboratory of Animal Health and Food Safety, College of Veterinary Medicine, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing, Jiangsu 210095, China
| | - Noor Samad Gandahi
- MOE Joint International Research Laboratory of Animal Health and Food Safety, College of Veterinary Medicine, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing, Jiangsu 210095, China
| | - Adeela Iqbal
- MOE Joint International Research Laboratory of Animal Health and Food Safety, College of Veterinary Medicine, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing, Jiangsu 210095, China
| | - Siyi Wang
- MOE Joint International Research Laboratory of Animal Health and Food Safety, College of Veterinary Medicine, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing, Jiangsu 210095, China
| | - Tianci An
- MOE Joint International Research Laboratory of Animal Health and Food Safety, College of Veterinary Medicine, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing, Jiangsu 210095, China
| | - Huan Yang
- MOE Joint International Research Laboratory of Animal Health and Food Safety, College of Veterinary Medicine, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing, Jiangsu 210095, China
| | - Qiusheng Chen
- MOE Joint International Research Laboratory of Animal Health and Food Safety, College of Veterinary Medicine, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing, Jiangsu 210095, China
| | - Ping Yang
- MOE Joint International Research Laboratory of Animal Health and Food Safety, College of Veterinary Medicine, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing, Jiangsu 210095, China
- College of Animal Science and Technology, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing, Jiangsu 210095, China
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17
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Huycke TR, Tabin CJ. Chick midgut morphogenesis. THE INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF DEVELOPMENTAL BIOLOGY 2019; 62:109-119. [PMID: 29616718 DOI: 10.1387/ijdb.170325ct] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/16/2023]
Abstract
The gastrointestinal tract is an essential system of organs required for nutrient absorption. As a simple tube early in development, the primitive gut is patterned along its anterior-posterior axis into discrete compartments with unique morphologies relevant to their functions in the digestive process. These morphologies are acquired gradually through development as the gut is patterned by tissue interactions, both molecular and mechanical in nature, involving all three germ layers. With a focus on midgut morphogenesis, we review work in the chick embryo demonstrating how these molecular signals and mechanical forces sculpt the developing gut tube into its mature form. In particular, we highlight two mechanisms by which the midgut increases its absorptive surface area: looping and villification. Additionally, we review the differentiation and patterning of the intestinal mesoderm into the layers of smooth muscle that mechanically drive peristalsis and the villification process itself. Where relevant, we discuss the mechanisms of chick midgut morphogenesis in the context of experimental data from other model systems.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tyler R Huycke
- Department of Genetics, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA.
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18
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Kulkarni S, Ganz J, Bayrer J, Becker L, Bogunovic M, Rao M. Advances in Enteric Neurobiology: The "Brain" in the Gut in Health and Disease. J Neurosci 2018; 38:9346-9354. [PMID: 30381426 PMCID: PMC6209840 DOI: 10.1523/jneurosci.1663-18.2018] [Citation(s) in RCA: 46] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/31/2018] [Revised: 09/20/2018] [Accepted: 09/22/2018] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
The enteric nervous system (ENS) is a large, complex division of the peripheral nervous system that regulates many digestive, immune, hormonal, and metabolic functions. Recent advances have elucidated the dynamic nature of the mature ENS, as well as the complex, bidirectional interactions among enteric neurons, glia, and the many other cell types that are important for mediating gut behaviors. Here, we provide an overview of ENS development and maintenance, and focus on the latest insights gained from the use of novel model systems and live-imaging techniques. We discuss major advances in the understanding of enteric glia, and the functional interactions among enteric neurons, glia, and enteroendocrine cells, a large class of sensory epithelial cells. We conclude by highlighting recent work on muscularis macrophages, a group of immune cells that closely interact with the ENS in the gut wall, and the importance of neurological-immune system communication in digestive health and disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Subhash Kulkarni
- Department of Medicine, The John Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland 21205,
| | - Julia Ganz
- Department of Integrative Biology, Michigan State University, East Lansing, Michigan 48824
| | - James Bayrer
- Department of Pediatrics, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, California 94143
| | - Laren Becker
- Department of Medicine, Stanford University, Stanford, California 94305
| | - Milena Bogunovic
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Penn State College of Medicine, Hershey, Pennsylvania 17033, and
| | - Meenakshi Rao
- Division of Gastroenterology, Boston Children's Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts 02115
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19
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Riddle MR, Boesmans W, Caballero O, Kazwiny Y, Tabin CJ. Morphogenesis and motility of the Astyanax mexicanus gastrointestinal tract. Dev Biol 2018; 441:285-296. [PMID: 29883660 DOI: 10.1016/j.ydbio.2018.06.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/31/2018] [Revised: 06/03/2018] [Accepted: 06/04/2018] [Indexed: 01/01/2023]
Abstract
Through the course of evolution, the gastrointestinal (GI) tract has been modified to maximize nutrient absorption, forming specialized segments that are morphologically and functionally distinct. Here we show that the GI tract of the Mexican tetra, Astyanax mexicanus, has distinct regions, exhibiting differences in morphology, motility, and absorption. We found that A. mexicanus populations adapted for life in subterranean caves exhibit differences in the GI segments compared to those adapted to surface rivers. Cave-adapted fish exhibit bi-directional churning motility in the stomach region that is largely absent in river-adapted fish. We investigated how this motility pattern influences intestinal transit of powdered food and live prey. We found that powdered food is more readily emptied from the cavefish GI tract. In contrast, the transit of live rotifers from the stomach region to the midgut occurs more slowly in cavefish compared to surface fish, consistent with the presence of churning motility. Differences in intestinal motility and transit likely reflect adaptation to unique food sources available to post-larval A. mexicanus in the cave and river environments. We found that cavefish grow more quickly than surface fish when fed ad libitum, suggesting that altered GI function may aid in nutrient consumption or absorption. We did not observe differences in enteric neuron density or smooth muscle organization between cavefish and surface fish. Altered intestinal motility in cavefish could instead be due to changes in the activity or patterning of the enteric nervous system. Exploring this avenue will lead to a better understanding of how the GI tract evolves to maximize energy assimilation from novel food sources.
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Affiliation(s)
- Misty R Riddle
- Department of Genetics, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115, USA
| | - Werend Boesmans
- Laboratory for Enteric Neuroscience, Translational Research Center for Gastrointestinal Disorders, University of Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Olivya Caballero
- Department of Genetics, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115, USA; Department of Ophthalmology, SUNY Downstate, Brooklyn, NY 11203, USA
| | - Youcef Kazwiny
- Laboratory for Enteric Neuroscience, Translational Research Center for Gastrointestinal Disorders, University of Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Clifford J Tabin
- Department of Genetics, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115, USA.
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20
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Gouignard N, Andrieu C, Theveneau E. Neural crest delamination and migration: Looking forward to the next 150 years. Genesis 2018; 56:e23107. [PMID: 29675839 DOI: 10.1002/dvg.23107] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/16/2018] [Revised: 03/27/2018] [Accepted: 03/28/2018] [Indexed: 12/24/2022]
Abstract
Neural crest (NC) cells were described for the first time in 1868 by Wilhelm His. Since then, this amazing population of migratory stem cells has been intensively studied. It took a century to fully unravel their incredible abilities to contribute to nearly every organ of the body. Yet, our understanding of the cell and molecular mechanisms controlling their migration is far from complete. In this review, we summarize the current knowledge on epithelial-mesenchymal transition and collective behavior of NC cells and propose further stops at which the NC train might be calling in the near future.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nadège Gouignard
- Centre de Biologie du Développement, Centre de Biologie Intégrative, Université de Toulouse, CNRS, UPS, France
| | - Cyril Andrieu
- Centre de Biologie du Développement, Centre de Biologie Intégrative, Université de Toulouse, CNRS, UPS, France
| | - Eric Theveneau
- Centre de Biologie du Développement, Centre de Biologie Intégrative, Université de Toulouse, CNRS, UPS, France
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21
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Ganz J. Gut feelings: Studying enteric nervous system development, function, and disease in the zebrafish model system. Dev Dyn 2018; 247:268-278. [PMID: 28975691 DOI: 10.1002/dvdy.24597] [Citation(s) in RCA: 39] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/16/2017] [Revised: 07/14/2017] [Accepted: 09/15/2017] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
The enteric nervous system (ENS) is the largest part of the peripheral nervous system and is entirely neural crest-derived. It provides the intrinsic innervation of the gut, controlling different aspects of gut function, such as motility. In this review, we will discuss key points of Zebrafish ENS development, genes, and signaling pathways regulating ENS development, as well as contributions of the Zebrafish model system to better understand ENS disorders. During their migration, enteric progenitor cells (EPCs) display a gradient of developmental states based on their proliferative and migratory characteristics, and show spatiotemporal heterogeneity based on gene expression patterns. Many genes and signaling pathways that regulate the migration and proliferation of EPCs have been identified, but later stages of ENS development, especially steps of neuronal and glial differentiation, remain poorly understood. In recent years, Zebrafish have become increasingly important to test candidate genes for ENS disorders (e.g., from genome-wide association studies), to identify environmental influences on ENS development (e.g., through large-scale drug screens), and to investigate the role the gut microbiota play in ENS development and disease. With its unique advantages as a model organism, Zebrafish will continue to contribute to a better understanding of ENS development, function, and disease. Developmental Dynamics 247:268-278, 2018. © 2017 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
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Affiliation(s)
- Julia Ganz
- Department of Integrative Biology, Michigan State University, East Lansing, Michigan
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22
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Uribe RA, Hong SS, Bronner ME. Retinoic acid temporally orchestrates colonization of the gut by vagal neural crest cells. Dev Biol 2018; 433:17-32. [PMID: 29108781 PMCID: PMC5722660 DOI: 10.1016/j.ydbio.2017.10.021] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/10/2017] [Accepted: 10/23/2017] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
The enteric nervous system arises from neural crest cells that migrate as chains into and along the primitive gut, subsequently differentiating into enteric neurons and glia. Little is known about the mechanisms governing neural crest migration en route to and along the gut in vivo. Here, we report that Retinoic Acid (RA) temporally controls zebrafish enteric neural crest cell chain migration. In vivo imaging reveals that RA loss severely compromises the integrity and migration of the chain of neural crest cells during the window of time window when they are moving along the foregut. After loss of RA, enteric progenitors accumulate in the foregut and differentiate into enteric neurons, but subsequently undergo apoptosis resulting in a striking neuronal deficit. Moreover, ectopic expression of the transcription factor meis3 and/or the receptor ret, partially rescues enteric neuron colonization after RA attenuation. Collectively, our findings suggest that retinoic acid plays a critical temporal role in promoting enteric neural crest chain migration and neuronal survival upstream of Meis3 and RET in vivo.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rosa A Uribe
- Division of Biology and Biological Engineering, California Institute of Technology, Pasadena, CA 91125, USA; Department of Biosciences, Rice University, Houston, TX 77005, USA.
| | - Stephanie S Hong
- Division of Biology and Biological Engineering, California Institute of Technology, Pasadena, CA 91125, USA
| | - Marianne E Bronner
- Division of Biology and Biological Engineering, California Institute of Technology, Pasadena, CA 91125, USA
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23
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Espinosa-Medina I, Jevans B, Boismoreau F, Chettouh Z, Enomoto H, Müller T, Birchmeier C, Burns AJ, Brunet JF. Dual origin of enteric neurons in vagal Schwann cell precursors and the sympathetic neural crest. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 2017; 114:11980-11985. [PMID: 29078343 PMCID: PMC5692562 DOI: 10.1073/pnas.1710308114] [Citation(s) in RCA: 85] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/15/2023] Open
Abstract
Most of the enteric nervous system derives from the "vagal" neural crest, lying at the level of somites 1-7, which invades the digestive tract rostro-caudally from the foregut to the hindgut. Little is known about the initial phase of this colonization, which brings enteric precursors into the foregut. Here we show that the "vagal crest" subsumes two populations of enteric precursors with contrasted origins, initial modes of migration, and destinations. Crest cells adjacent to somites 1 and 2 produce Schwann cell precursors that colonize the vagus nerve, which in turn guides them into the esophagus and stomach. Crest cells adjacent to somites 3-7 belong to the crest streams contributing to sympathetic chains: they migrate ventrally, seed the sympathetic chains, and colonize the entire digestive tract thence. Accordingly, enteric ganglia, like sympathetic ones, are atrophic when deprived of signaling through the tyrosine kinase receptor ErbB3, while half of the esophageal ganglia require, like parasympathetic ones, the nerve-associated form of the ErbB3 ligand, Neuregulin-1. These dependencies might bear relevance to Hirschsprung disease, with which alleles of Neuregulin-1 are associated.
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Affiliation(s)
- Isabel Espinosa-Medina
- Institut de Biologie de l'École Normale Supérieure (IBENS), École Normale Supérieure, CNRS, INSERM, PSL Research University, 75005 Paris, France
| | - Ben Jevans
- Stem Cells and Regenerative Medicine, Birth Defects Research Centre, University College London Great Ormond Street Institute of Child Health, WC1N 1EH London, United Kingdom
| | - Franck Boismoreau
- Institut de Biologie de l'École Normale Supérieure (IBENS), École Normale Supérieure, CNRS, INSERM, PSL Research University, 75005 Paris, France
| | - Zoubida Chettouh
- Institut de Biologie de l'École Normale Supérieure (IBENS), École Normale Supérieure, CNRS, INSERM, PSL Research University, 75005 Paris, France
| | - Hideki Enomoto
- Laboratory for Neural Differentiation and Regeneration, Graduate School of Medicine, Kobe University, 650-0017 Kobe City, Japan
| | - Thomas Müller
- Max-Delbrück-Center for Molecular Medicine in the Helmholtz-Association, 13125 Berlin, Germany
| | - Carmen Birchmeier
- Max-Delbrück-Center for Molecular Medicine in the Helmholtz-Association, 13125 Berlin, Germany
| | - Alan J Burns
- Stem Cells and Regenerative Medicine, Birth Defects Research Centre, University College London Great Ormond Street Institute of Child Health, WC1N 1EH London, United Kingdom
- Department of Clinical Genetics, Erasmus Medical Center, 3015 CE Rotterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Jean-François Brunet
- Institut de Biologie de l'École Normale Supérieure (IBENS), École Normale Supérieure, CNRS, INSERM, PSL Research University, 75005 Paris, France;
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Roy-Carson S, Natukunda K, Chou HC, Pal N, Farris C, Schneider SQ, Kuhlman JA. Defining the transcriptomic landscape of the developing enteric nervous system and its cellular environment. BMC Genomics 2017; 18:290. [PMID: 28403821 PMCID: PMC5389105 DOI: 10.1186/s12864-017-3653-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/30/2016] [Accepted: 03/22/2017] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Motility and the coordination of moving food through the gastrointestinal tract rely on a complex network of neurons known as the enteric nervous system (ENS). Despite its critical function, many of the molecular mechanisms that direct the development of the ENS and the elaboration of neural network connections remain unknown. The goal of this study was to transcriptionally identify molecular pathways and candidate genes that drive specification, differentiation and the neural circuitry of specific neural progenitors, the phox2b expressing ENS cell lineage, during normal enteric nervous system development. Because ENS development is tightly linked to its environment, the transcriptional landscape of the cellular environment of the intestine was also analyzed. RESULTS Thousands of zebrafish intestines were manually dissected from a transgenic line expressing green fluorescent protein under the phox2b regulatory elements [Tg(phox2b:EGFP) w37 ]. Fluorescence-activated cell sorting was used to separate GFP-positive phox2b expressing ENS progenitor and derivatives from GFP-negative intestinal cells. RNA-seq was performed to obtain accurate, reproducible transcriptional profiles and the unbiased detection of low level transcripts. Analysis revealed genes and pathways that may function in ENS cell determination, genes that may be identifiers of different ENS subtypes, and genes that define the non-neural cellular microenvironment of the ENS. Differential expression analysis between the two cell populations revealed the expected neuronal nature of the phox2b expressing lineage including the enrichment for genes required for neurogenesis and synaptogenesis, and identified many novel genes not previously associated with ENS development. Pathway analysis pointed to a high level of G-protein coupled pathway activation, and identified novel roles for candidate pathways such as the Nogo/Reticulon axon guidance pathway in ENS development. CONCLUSION We report the comprehensive gene expression profiles of a lineage-specific population of enteric progenitors, their derivatives, and their microenvironment during normal enteric nervous system development. Our results confirm previously implicated genes and pathways required for ENS development, and also identify scores of novel candidate genes and pathways. Thus, our dataset suggests various potential mechanisms that drive ENS development facilitating characterization and discovery of novel therapeutic strategies to improve gastrointestinal disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sweta Roy-Carson
- Department of Genetics, Development and Cell Biology, Iowa State University, Ames, IA, 50011, USA
| | - Kevin Natukunda
- Department of Genetics, Development and Cell Biology, Iowa State University, Ames, IA, 50011, USA
| | - Hsien-Chao Chou
- Department of Genetics, Development and Cell Biology, Iowa State University, Ames, IA, 50011, USA.,Present Address: National Cancer Institute, US National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland, USA
| | - Narinder Pal
- Department of Genetics, Development and Cell Biology, Iowa State University, Ames, IA, 50011, USA.,Present address: North Central Regional Plant Introduction Station, 1305 State Ave, Ames, IA, 50014, USA
| | - Caitlin Farris
- Department of Genetics, Development and Cell Biology, Iowa State University, Ames, IA, 50011, USA.,Present address: Pioneer Hi-Bred International, Johnson, IA, 50131, USA
| | - Stephan Q Schneider
- Department of Genetics, Development and Cell Biology, Iowa State University, Ames, IA, 50011, USA
| | - Julie A Kuhlman
- Department of Genetics, Development and Cell Biology, Iowa State University, Ames, IA, 50011, USA. .,642 Science II, Iowa State University, Ames, IA, 50011, USA.
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Colonic mesenchyme differentiates into smooth muscle before its colonization by vagal enteric neural crest-derived cells in the chick embryo. Cell Tissue Res 2017; 368:503-511. [DOI: 10.1007/s00441-017-2577-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/24/2016] [Accepted: 01/13/2017] [Indexed: 01/09/2023]
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A Novel Zebrafish ret Heterozygous Model of Hirschsprung Disease Identifies a Functional Role for mapk10 as a Modifier of Enteric Nervous System Phenotype Severity. PLoS Genet 2016; 12:e1006439. [PMID: 27902697 PMCID: PMC5130169 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pgen.1006439] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/30/2016] [Accepted: 10/21/2016] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Hirschsprung disease (HSCR) is characterized by absence of enteric neurons from the distal colon and severe intestinal dysmotility. To understand the pathophysiology and genetics of HSCR we developed a unique zebrafish model that allows combined genetic, developmental and in vivo physiological studies. We show that ret mutant zebrafish exhibit cellular, physiological and genetic features of HSCR, including absence of intestinal neurons, reduced peristalsis, and varying phenotype expressivity in the heterozygous state. We perform live imaging experiments using a UAS-GAL4 binary genetic system to drive fluorescent protein expression in ENS progenitors. We demonstrate that ENS progenitors migrate at reduced speed in ret heterozygous embryos, without changes in proliferation or survival, establishing this as a principal pathogenic mechanism for distal aganglionosis. We show, using live imaging of actual intestinal movements, that intestinal motility is severely compromised in ret mutants, and partially impaired in ret heterozygous larvae, and establish a clear correlation between neuron position and organised intestinal motility. We exploited the partially penetrant ret heterozygous phenotype as a sensitised background to test the influence of a candidate modifier gene. We generated mapk10 loss-of-function mutants, which show reduced numbers of enteric neurons. Significantly, we show that introduction of mapk10 mutations into ret heterozygotes enhanced the ENS deficit, supporting MAPK10 as a HSCR susceptibility locus. Our studies demonstrate that ret heterozygous zebrafish is a sensitized model, with many significant advantages over existing murine models, to explore the pathophysiology and complex genetics of HSCR. Hirschsprung Disease (HSCR) is a common congenital intestinal motility disorder diagnosed at birth by absence of enteric neurons in the distal gut, leading to intestinal obstruction that requires life-saving surgery. HSCR exhibits complex inheritance patterns and its genetic basis is not fully understood. Although well studied by human geneticists, and modelled using mouse, significant questions remain about the cellular and genetic causes of the disease and the relationship between neuron loss and defective intestinal motility. Here we use accessible, transparent zebrafish to address these outstanding questions. We establish that ret mutant zebrafish display key features of HSCR, including absence of intestinal neurons, reduced gut motility and varying phenotype expressivity. Using live imaging, possible in zebrafish but not in mouse, we demonstrate that decreased migration speed of enteric neuron progenitors colonising the gut is the principal defect leading to neuron deficits. By direct examination of gut motility in zebrafish larvae, we establish a clear correlation between neurons and motility patterns. Finally, we show that mapk10 mutations worsen the enteric neuron deficit of ret mutants, indicating that mutations in MAPK10 may increase susceptibility to HSCR. We show many benefits of modelling human genetic diseases in zebrafish and advance our understanding of HSCR.
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von Sochaczewski CO, Wenke K, Grieve A, Westgarth-Taylor C, Loveland JA, Metzger R, Kluth D. Regenerative capacity of the enteric nervous system: is immaturity defining the point of no return? J Surg Res 2016; 209:112-121. [PMID: 28032547 DOI: 10.1016/j.jss.2016.09.035] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/15/2016] [Revised: 09/14/2016] [Accepted: 09/21/2016] [Indexed: 11/15/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Intestinal obstruction in newborns is associated with intestinal motility disorders after surgery. Alterations in the enteric nervous system (ENS) might cause abnormal peristalsis, which may then result in intestinal motility disorders. We aimed to quantify alterations in the myenteric plexus after a ligation and to test if these alterations were reversible. METHODS Small intestines of chicken embryos were ligated in ovo at embryonic day (ED) 11 for either 4 d (ED 11-15) or 8 d (ED 11-19). Both treated groups and control group were sacrificed and intestinal segments examined by means of both light and electron microscopy. RESULTS The number of proximal myenteric ganglia increased (ED 19, 30.7 ± 3.16 versus 23.1 ± 2.03; P < 0.001) in the 8-d ligature group but had values similar to the control group in the 4-d ligature group. The size distribution was skewed toward small ganglia in the 8-d ligature group (ED 19, 83.71 ± 11.60% versus 3.88 ± 4.74% in the control group; P < 0.001) but comparable with the control group in the 4-d ligature group. Subcellular alterations in the 4-d ligature group were reversible. CONCLUSIONS The pathologic alterations in the ENS were fully reversible in the 4-d ligature group. This reversibility might be linked to the degree of immaturity of the ENS.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Katharina Wenke
- Department of Pediatric Surgery, University Hospital of Hamburg, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Andrew Grieve
- Department of Pediatric Surgery, Chris Hani Baragwanath Academic Hospital, Johannesburg, South Africa
| | - Chris Westgarth-Taylor
- Department of Pediatric Surgery, Chris Hani Baragwanath Academic Hospital, Johannesburg, South Africa
| | - Jerome A Loveland
- Department of Pediatric Surgery, Chris Hani Baragwanath Academic Hospital, Johannesburg, South Africa
| | - Roman Metzger
- Department of Pediatric and Adolescent Surgery, Paracelsus Medical University, Salzburg, Austria
| | - Dietrich Kluth
- Department of Pediatric Surgery, University of Leipzig, Leipzig, Germany
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Affiliation(s)
- Alan J Burns
- Stem Cells and Regenerative Medicine, Birth Defects Research Centre, UCL Great Ormond Street Institute of Child Health, London, UK; Department of Clinical Genetics, Erasmus Medical Center, Rotterdam, The Netherlands.
| | - Robert M W Hofstra
- Stem Cells and Regenerative Medicine, Birth Defects Research Centre, UCL Great Ormond Street Institute of Child Health, London, UK; Department of Clinical Genetics, Erasmus Medical Center, Rotterdam, The Netherlands
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