1
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Voss U. Enteric neuroprotection-A matter of balancing redox potentials, limiting inflammation, and boosting resilience. Neurogastroenterol Motil 2024:e14871. [PMID: 39038122 DOI: 10.1111/nmo.14871] [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] [Received: 01/31/2024] [Revised: 04/15/2024] [Accepted: 07/10/2024] [Indexed: 07/24/2024]
Abstract
The enteric nervous system (ENS) orchestrates intricate and autonomous functions throughout the gastrointestinal (GI) tract. Disruptions in ENS function are associated GI disorders. This mini review focuses on the past decade's research, utilizing rodent models, with an emphasis on protecting enteric neurons from loss. The review specifically looks at efforts to reduce oxidative stress, limit inflammation, and enhance neuronal resilience. Protective interventions including administration of antioxidants and compounds targeting cellular redox buffer systems, are evaluated for their effectiveness in preventing loss of enteric neurons in the ischemia-reperfusion model and streptozotocin-induced diabetes model. Interventions such as engrafting mesenchymal stem cells and targeting inflammatory signaling pathways in enteric neurons and glial cells are evaluated in inflammatory bowel disease models including the Winnie mouse, DSS-, and DNBS/TNBS-induced colitis models. The review also touches upon neuronal resilience, particularly in the context of Parkinson's disease models. Including estrogen's neuroprotective role, and the influence of metal ions on enteric neuronal protection. Understanding the dynamic interplay within the ENS and its role in disease pathogenesis holds promise for developing targeted therapies to effectively manage and treat various GI ailments.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ulrikke Voss
- Department of Clinical Sciences, Lund, Lund University, Lund, Sweden
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2
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Stavely R, Rahman AA, Mueller JL, Leavitt AR, Han CY, Pan W, Kaiser KN, Ott LC, Ohkura T, Guyer RA, Burns AJ, Koppes AN, Hotta R, Goldstein AM. Mature enteric neurons have the capacity to reinnervate the intestine with glial cells as their guide. Neuron 2024:S0896-6273(24)00453-7. [PMID: 39019043 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuron.2024.06.018] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/02/2023] [Revised: 04/21/2024] [Accepted: 06/19/2024] [Indexed: 07/19/2024]
Abstract
Here, we establish that plasticity exists within the postnatal enteric nervous system by demonstrating the reinnervation potential of post-mitotic enteric neurons (ENs). Employing BAF53b-Cre mice for selective neuronal tracing, the reinnervation capabilities of mature postnatal ENs are shown across multiple model systems. Isolated ENs regenerate neurites in vitro, with neurite complexity and direction influenced by contact with enteric glial cells (EGCs). Nerve fibers from transplanted ENs exclusively interface and travel along EGCs within the muscularis propria. Resident EGCs persist after Cre-dependent ablation of ENs and govern the architecture of the myenteric plexus for reinnervating ENs, as shown by nerve fiber projection tracing. Transplantation and optogenetic experiments in vivo highlight the rapid reinnervation potential of post-mitotic neurons, leading to restored gut muscle contractile activity within 2 weeks. These studies illustrate the structural and functional reinnervation capacity of post-mitotic ENs and the critical role of EGCs in guiding and patterning their trajectories.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rhian Stavely
- Department of Pediatric Surgery, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02114, USA
| | - Ahmed A Rahman
- Department of Pediatric Surgery, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02114, USA
| | - Jessica L Mueller
- Department of Pediatric Surgery, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02114, USA
| | - Abigail R Leavitt
- Department of Pediatric Surgery, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02114, USA
| | - Christopher Y Han
- Department of Pediatric Surgery, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02114, USA
| | - Weikang Pan
- Department of Pediatric Surgery, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02114, USA
| | - Kyla N Kaiser
- Northeastern University, Department of Chemical Engineering, 360 Huntington Ave, Boston, MA 02115, USA
| | - Leah C Ott
- Department of Pediatric Surgery, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02114, USA
| | - Takahiro Ohkura
- Department of Pediatric Surgery, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02114, USA
| | - Richard A Guyer
- Department of Pediatric Surgery, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02114, USA
| | - Alan J Burns
- Department of Pediatric Surgery, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02114, USA
| | - Abigail N Koppes
- Northeastern University, Department of Chemical Engineering, 360 Huntington Ave, Boston, MA 02115, USA
| | - Ryo Hotta
- Department of Pediatric Surgery, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02114, USA
| | - Allan M Goldstein
- Department of Pediatric Surgery, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02114, USA.
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3
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Zhou B, Feng C, Sun S, Chen X, Zhuansun D, Wang D, Yu X, Meng X, Xiao J, Wu L, Wang J, Wang J, Chen K, Li Z, You J, Mao H, Yang S, Zhang J, Jiao C, Li Z, Yu D, Wu X, Zhu T, Yang J, Xiang L, Liu J, Chai T, Shen J, Mao CX, Hu J, Hao X, Xiong B, Zheng S, Liu Z, Feng J. Identification of signaling pathways that specify a subset of migrating enteric neural crest cells at the wavefront in mouse embryos. Dev Cell 2024; 59:1689-1706.e8. [PMID: 38636517 DOI: 10.1016/j.devcel.2024.03.034] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/25/2023] [Revised: 01/17/2024] [Accepted: 03/25/2024] [Indexed: 04/20/2024]
Abstract
During enteric nervous system (ENS) development, pioneering wavefront enteric neural crest cells (ENCCs) initiate gut colonization. However, the molecular mechanisms guiding their specification and niche interaction are not fully understood. We used single-cell RNA sequencing and spatial transcriptomics to map the spatiotemporal dynamics and molecular landscape of wavefront ENCCs in mouse embryos. Our analysis shows a progressive decline in wavefront ENCC potency during migration and identifies transcription factors governing their specification and differentiation. We further delineate key signaling pathways (ephrin-Eph, Wnt-Frizzled, and Sema3a-Nrp1) utilized by wavefront ENCCs to interact with their surrounding cells. Disruptions in these pathways are observed in human Hirschsprung's disease gut tissue, linking them to ENS malformations. Additionally, we observed region-specific and cell-type-specific transcriptional changes in surrounding gut tissues upon wavefront ENCC arrival, suggesting their role in shaping the gut microenvironment. This work offers a roadmap of ENS development, with implications for understanding ENS disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bingyan Zhou
- Department of Pediatric Surgery, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, Hubei 430030, China; Hubei Clinical Center of Hirschsprung's Disease and Allied Disorders, Wuhan, Hubei 430030, China
| | - Chenzhao Feng
- Department of Gynecological Oncology, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, Hubei 430030, China; National Clinical Research Center for Obstetrics and Gynecology, Cancer Biology Research Center (Key Laboratory of the Ministry of Education), Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, Hubei 430030, China
| | - Song Sun
- Department of Pediatric Surgery, Shanghai Key Laboratory of Birth Defect, Children's Hospital of Fudan University, Ministry of Health, Shanghai 201102, China
| | - Xuyong Chen
- Department of Pediatric Surgery, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, Hubei 430030, China; Hubei Clinical Center of Hirschsprung's Disease and Allied Disorders, Wuhan, Hubei 430030, China
| | - Didi Zhuansun
- Department of Pediatric Surgery, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, Hubei 430030, China; Hubei Clinical Center of Hirschsprung's Disease and Allied Disorders, Wuhan, Hubei 430030, China
| | - Di Wang
- Department of Pediatric Surgery, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, Hubei 430030, China; Hubei Clinical Center of Hirschsprung's Disease and Allied Disorders, Wuhan, Hubei 430030, China
| | - Xiaosi Yu
- Department of Pediatric Surgery, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, Hubei 430030, China; Hubei Clinical Center of Hirschsprung's Disease and Allied Disorders, Wuhan, Hubei 430030, China
| | - Xinyao Meng
- Department of Pediatric Surgery, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, Hubei 430030, China; Hubei Clinical Center of Hirschsprung's Disease and Allied Disorders, Wuhan, Hubei 430030, China
| | - Jun Xiao
- Department of Pediatric Surgery, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, Hubei 430030, China; Hubei Clinical Center of Hirschsprung's Disease and Allied Disorders, Wuhan, Hubei 430030, China
| | - Luyao Wu
- Department of Pediatric Surgery, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, Hubei 430030, China; Hubei Clinical Center of Hirschsprung's Disease and Allied Disorders, Wuhan, Hubei 430030, China
| | - Jing Wang
- Department of Pediatric Surgery, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, Hubei 430030, China; Hubei Clinical Center of Hirschsprung's Disease and Allied Disorders, Wuhan, Hubei 430030, China
| | - Jing Wang
- Department of Pediatric Surgery, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, Hubei 430030, China; Hubei Clinical Center of Hirschsprung's Disease and Allied Disorders, Wuhan, Hubei 430030, China
| | - Ke Chen
- Department of Pediatric Surgery, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, Hubei 430030, China; Hubei Clinical Center of Hirschsprung's Disease and Allied Disorders, Wuhan, Hubei 430030, China
| | - Zejian Li
- Department of Pediatric Surgery, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, Hubei 430030, China; Hubei Clinical Center of Hirschsprung's Disease and Allied Disorders, Wuhan, Hubei 430030, China
| | - Jingyi You
- Department of Pediatric Surgery, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, Hubei 430030, China; Hubei Clinical Center of Hirschsprung's Disease and Allied Disorders, Wuhan, Hubei 430030, China
| | - Handan Mao
- Department of Pediatric Surgery, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, Hubei 430030, China; Hubei Clinical Center of Hirschsprung's Disease and Allied Disorders, Wuhan, Hubei 430030, China
| | - Shimin Yang
- Department of Pediatric Surgery, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, Hubei 430030, China; Hubei Clinical Center of Hirschsprung's Disease and Allied Disorders, Wuhan, Hubei 430030, China
| | - Jiaxin Zhang
- Department of Pediatric Surgery, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, Hubei 430030, China; Hubei Clinical Center of Hirschsprung's Disease and Allied Disorders, Wuhan, Hubei 430030, China
| | - Chunlei Jiao
- Department of Pediatric Surgery, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, Hubei 430030, China; Hubei Clinical Center of Hirschsprung's Disease and Allied Disorders, Wuhan, Hubei 430030, China
| | - Zhi Li
- Department of Pediatric Surgery, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, Hubei 430030, China; Hubei Clinical Center of Hirschsprung's Disease and Allied Disorders, Wuhan, Hubei 430030, China
| | - Donghai Yu
- Department of Pediatric Surgery, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, Hubei 430030, China; Hubei Clinical Center of Hirschsprung's Disease and Allied Disorders, Wuhan, Hubei 430030, China
| | - Xiaojuan Wu
- Department of Pediatric Surgery, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, Hubei 430030, China; Hubei Clinical Center of Hirschsprung's Disease and Allied Disorders, Wuhan, Hubei 430030, China
| | - Tianqi Zhu
- Department of Pediatric Surgery, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, Hubei 430030, China; Hubei Clinical Center of Hirschsprung's Disease and Allied Disorders, Wuhan, Hubei 430030, China
| | - Jixin Yang
- Department of Pediatric Surgery, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, Hubei 430030, China; Hubei Clinical Center of Hirschsprung's Disease and Allied Disorders, Wuhan, Hubei 430030, China
| | - Lei Xiang
- Department of Pediatric Surgery, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, Hubei 430030, China; Hubei Clinical Center of Hirschsprung's Disease and Allied Disorders, Wuhan, Hubei 430030, China
| | - Jiazhe Liu
- BGI-Shenzhen, Shenzhen, Guangdong 518081, China
| | | | - Juan Shen
- BGI-Shenzhen, Shenzhen, Guangdong 518081, China
| | - Chuan-Xi Mao
- State Key Laboratory of Biocatalysis and Enzyme Engineering, School of Life Sciences, Hubei University, Wuhan, Hubei, China
| | - Juncheng Hu
- State Key Laboratory of Biocatalysis and Enzyme Engineering, School of Life Sciences, Hubei University, Wuhan, Hubei, China
| | - Xingjie Hao
- Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, Key Laboratory for Environment and Health, School of Public Health, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, Hubei 430030, China
| | - Bo Xiong
- Department of Forensic Medicine, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, Hubei 430030, China; Institute for Brain Research, School of Basic Medicine, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, Hubei 430030, China
| | - Shan Zheng
- Department of Pediatric Surgery, Shanghai Key Laboratory of Birth Defect, Children's Hospital of Fudan University, Ministry of Health, Shanghai 201102, China
| | - Zhihua Liu
- State Key Laboratory of Biocatalysis and Enzyme Engineering, School of Life Sciences, Hubei University, Wuhan, Hubei, China.
| | - Jiexiong Feng
- Department of Pediatric Surgery, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, Hubei 430030, China; Hubei Clinical Center of Hirschsprung's Disease and Allied Disorders, Wuhan, Hubei 430030, China.
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4
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Guo J, Li L, Chen F, Fu M, Cheng C, Wang M, Hu J, Pei L, Sun J. Forces Bless You: Mechanosensitive Piezo Channels in Gastrointestinal Physiology and Pathology. Biomolecules 2024; 14:804. [PMID: 39062518 PMCID: PMC11274378 DOI: 10.3390/biom14070804] [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: 05/22/2024] [Revised: 07/01/2024] [Accepted: 07/02/2024] [Indexed: 07/28/2024] Open
Abstract
The gastrointestinal (GI) tract is an organ actively involved in mechanical processes, where it detects forces via a mechanosensation mechanism. Mechanosensation relies on specialized cells termed mechanoreceptors, which convert mechanical forces into electrochemical signals via mechanosensors. The mechanosensitive Piezo1 and Piezo2 are widely expressed in various mechanosensitive cells that respond to GI mechanical forces by altering transmembrane ionic currents, such as epithelial cells, enterochromaffin cells, and intrinsic and extrinsic enteric neurons. This review highlights recent research advances on mechanosensitive Piezo channels in GI physiology and pathology. Specifically, the latest insights on the role of Piezo channels in the intestinal barrier, GI motility, and intestinal mechanosensation are summarized. Additionally, an overview of Piezo channels in the pathogenesis of GI disorders, including irritable bowel syndrome, inflammatory bowel disease, and GI cancers, is provided. Overall, the presence of mechanosensitive Piezo channels offers a promising new perspective for the treatment of various GI disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jing Guo
- Health and Rehabilitation College, Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing 210023, China; (J.G.); (C.C.); (M.W.); (J.H.)
| | - Li Li
- Department of Acupuncture and Rehabilitation, The Affiliated Hospital, Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing 210029, China; (L.L.); (F.C.); (M.F.)
| | - Feiyi Chen
- Department of Acupuncture and Rehabilitation, The Affiliated Hospital, Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing 210029, China; (L.L.); (F.C.); (M.F.)
| | - Minhan Fu
- Department of Acupuncture and Rehabilitation, The Affiliated Hospital, Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing 210029, China; (L.L.); (F.C.); (M.F.)
| | - Cheng Cheng
- Health and Rehabilitation College, Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing 210023, China; (J.G.); (C.C.); (M.W.); (J.H.)
| | - Meizi Wang
- Health and Rehabilitation College, Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing 210023, China; (J.G.); (C.C.); (M.W.); (J.H.)
| | - Jun Hu
- Health and Rehabilitation College, Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing 210023, China; (J.G.); (C.C.); (M.W.); (J.H.)
| | - Lixia Pei
- Department of Acupuncture and Rehabilitation, The Affiliated Hospital, Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing 210029, China; (L.L.); (F.C.); (M.F.)
| | - Jianhua Sun
- Department of Acupuncture and Rehabilitation, The Affiliated Hospital, Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing 210029, China; (L.L.); (F.C.); (M.F.)
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5
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Maekawa T, Motokawa R, Kawashima R, Tamaki S, Hara Y, Kawakami F, Ichikawa T. Biphenotypic Cells and α-Synuclein Accumulation in Enteric Neurons of Leucine-Rich Repeat Kinase 2 Knockout Mice. Dig Dis Sci 2024:10.1007/s10620-024-08494-7. [PMID: 38849592 DOI: 10.1007/s10620-024-08494-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/31/2023] [Accepted: 05/09/2024] [Indexed: 06/09/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Leucine-rich repeat kinase 2 is a molecule that is responsible for familial Parkinson's disease. Our previous findings revealed that leucine-rich repeat kinase 2 is expressed in the enteric nervous system. However, which cells in the enteric nervous system express leucine-rich repeat kinase 2 and whether leucine-rich repeat kinase 2 is associated with the structure of the enteric nervous system remain unclear. The enteric nervous system is remarkable because some patients with Parkinson's disease experience gastrointestinal symptoms before developing motor symptoms. AIMS We established a leucine-rich repeat kinase 2 reporter mouse model and performed immunostaining in leucine-rich repeat kinase 2 knockout mice. METHODS Longitudinal muscle containing the myenteric plexus prepared from leucine-rich repeat kinase 2 reporter mice was analyzed by immunostaining using anti-green fluorescent protein (GFP) antibody. Immunostaining using several combinations of antibodies characterizing enteric neurons and glial cells was performed on intestinal preparations from leucine-rich repeat kinase 2 knockout mice. RESULTS GFP expression in the reporter mice was predominantly in enteric glial cells rather than in enteric neurons. Immunostaining revealed that differences in the structure and proportion of major immunophenotypic cells were not apparent in the knockout mice. Interestingly, the number of biphenotypic cells expressing the neuronal and glial cell markers increased in the leucine-rich repeat kinase 2 knockout mice. Moreover, there was accumulation of α-synuclein in the knockout mice. CONCLUSIONS Our present findings suggest that leucine-rich repeat kinase 2 is a newly recognized molecule that potentially regulates the integrity of enteric nervous system and enteric α-synuclein accumulation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tatsunori Maekawa
- Department of Regulation Biochemistry, Graduate School of Medical Sciences, Kitasato University, 1-15-1 Kitasato, Minami-Ku, Sagamihara, Kanagawa, 252-0373, Japan.
- Department of Biochemistry, School of Allied Health Sciences, Kitasato University, Sagamihara, Kanagawa, Japan.
- Research Facility of Regenerative Medicine and Cell Design, School of Allied Health Sciences, Kitasato University, Sagamihara, Kanagawa, Japan.
| | - Ryuichi Motokawa
- Department of Regulation Biochemistry, Graduate School of Medical Sciences, Kitasato University, 1-15-1 Kitasato, Minami-Ku, Sagamihara, Kanagawa, 252-0373, Japan
| | - Rei Kawashima
- Department of Regulation Biochemistry, Graduate School of Medical Sciences, Kitasato University, 1-15-1 Kitasato, Minami-Ku, Sagamihara, Kanagawa, 252-0373, Japan
- Department of Biochemistry, School of Allied Health Sciences, Kitasato University, Sagamihara, Kanagawa, Japan
- Research Facility of Regenerative Medicine and Cell Design, School of Allied Health Sciences, Kitasato University, Sagamihara, Kanagawa, Japan
| | - Shun Tamaki
- Department of Regulation Biochemistry, Graduate School of Medical Sciences, Kitasato University, 1-15-1 Kitasato, Minami-Ku, Sagamihara, Kanagawa, 252-0373, Japan
- Department of Biochemistry, School of Allied Health Sciences, Kitasato University, Sagamihara, Kanagawa, Japan
- Research Facility of Regenerative Medicine and Cell Design, School of Allied Health Sciences, Kitasato University, Sagamihara, Kanagawa, Japan
| | - Yusuke Hara
- Department of Regulation Biochemistry, Graduate School of Medical Sciences, Kitasato University, 1-15-1 Kitasato, Minami-Ku, Sagamihara, Kanagawa, 252-0373, Japan
| | - Fumitaka Kawakami
- Department of Regulation Biochemistry, Graduate School of Medical Sciences, Kitasato University, 1-15-1 Kitasato, Minami-Ku, Sagamihara, Kanagawa, 252-0373, Japan
- Department of Health Administration, School of Allied Health Sciences, Kitasato University, Sagamihara, Kanagawa, Japan
- Research Facility of Regenerative Medicine and Cell Design, School of Allied Health Sciences, Kitasato University, Sagamihara, Kanagawa, Japan
| | - Takafumi Ichikawa
- Department of Regulation Biochemistry, Graduate School of Medical Sciences, Kitasato University, 1-15-1 Kitasato, Minami-Ku, Sagamihara, Kanagawa, 252-0373, Japan
- Department of Biochemistry, School of Allied Health Sciences, Kitasato University, Sagamihara, Kanagawa, Japan
- Research Facility of Regenerative Medicine and Cell Design, School of Allied Health Sciences, Kitasato University, Sagamihara, Kanagawa, Japan
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6
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McKay DM, Defaye M, Rajeev S, MacNaughton WK, Nasser Y, Sharkey KA. Neuroimmunophysiology of the gastrointestinal tract. Am J Physiol Gastrointest Liver Physiol 2024; 326:G712-G725. [PMID: 38626403 DOI: 10.1152/ajpgi.00075.2024] [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: 03/07/2024] [Revised: 04/11/2024] [Accepted: 04/15/2024] [Indexed: 04/18/2024]
Abstract
Gut physiology is the epicenter of a web of internal communication systems (i.e., neural, immune, hormonal) mediated by cell-cell contacts, soluble factors, and external influences, such as the microbiome, diet, and the physical environment. Together these provide the signals that shape enteric homeostasis and, when they go awry, lead to disease. Faced with the seemingly paradoxical tasks of nutrient uptake (digestion) and retarding pathogen invasion (host defense), the gut integrates interactions between a variety of cells and signaling molecules to keep the host nourished and protected from pathogens. When the system fails, the outcome can be acute or chronic disease, often labeled as "idiopathic" in nature (e.g., irritable bowel syndrome, inflammatory bowel disease). Here we underscore the importance of a holistic approach to gut physiology, placing an emphasis on intercellular connectedness, using enteric neuroimmunophysiology as the paradigm. The goal of this opinion piece is to acknowledge the pace of change brought to our field via single-cell and -omic methodologies and other techniques such as cell lineage tracing, transgenic animal models, methods for culturing patient tissue, and advanced imaging. We identify gaps in the field and hope to inspire and challenge colleagues to take up the mantle and advance awareness of the subtleties, intricacies, and nuances of intestinal physiology in health and disease by defining communication pathways between gut resident cells, those recruited from the circulation, and "external" influences such as the central nervous system and the gut microbiota.
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Affiliation(s)
- Derek M McKay
- Snyder Institute for Chronic Diseases, University of Calgary, Calgary, Alberta, Canada
- Gastrointestinal Research Group, University of Calgary, Calgary, Alberta, Canada
- Inflammation Research Network, University of Calgary, Calgary, Alberta, Canada
- Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, Cumming School of Medicine, University of Calgary, Calgary, Alberta, Canada
| | - Manon Defaye
- Snyder Institute for Chronic Diseases, University of Calgary, Calgary, Alberta, Canada
- Gastrointestinal Research Group, University of Calgary, Calgary, Alberta, Canada
- Inflammation Research Network, University of Calgary, Calgary, Alberta, Canada
- Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, Cumming School of Medicine, University of Calgary, Calgary, Alberta, Canada
| | - Sruthi Rajeev
- Snyder Institute for Chronic Diseases, University of Calgary, Calgary, Alberta, Canada
- Gastrointestinal Research Group, University of Calgary, Calgary, Alberta, Canada
- Inflammation Research Network, University of Calgary, Calgary, Alberta, Canada
- Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, Cumming School of Medicine, University of Calgary, Calgary, Alberta, Canada
| | - Wallace K MacNaughton
- Snyder Institute for Chronic Diseases, University of Calgary, Calgary, Alberta, Canada
- Gastrointestinal Research Group, University of Calgary, Calgary, Alberta, Canada
- Inflammation Research Network, University of Calgary, Calgary, Alberta, Canada
- Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, Cumming School of Medicine, University of Calgary, Calgary, Alberta, Canada
- Alberta Children's Hospital Research Institute, University of Calgary, Calgary, Alberta, Canada
| | - Yasmin Nasser
- Snyder Institute for Chronic Diseases, University of Calgary, Calgary, Alberta, Canada
- Gastrointestinal Research Group, University of Calgary, Calgary, Alberta, Canada
- Inflammation Research Network, University of Calgary, Calgary, Alberta, Canada
- Department of Medicine, Cumming School of Medicine, University of Calgary, Calgary, Alberta, Canada
| | - Keith A Sharkey
- Snyder Institute for Chronic Diseases, University of Calgary, Calgary, Alberta, Canada
- Gastrointestinal Research Group, University of Calgary, Calgary, Alberta, Canada
- Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, Cumming School of Medicine, University of Calgary, Calgary, Alberta, Canada
- Hotchkiss Brain Institute, University of Calgary, Calgary, Alberta, Canada
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7
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Moreno-Campos R, Singleton EW, Uribe RA. A targeted CRISPR-Cas9 mediated F0 screen identifies genes involved in establishment of the enteric nervous system. PLoS One 2024; 19:e0303914. [PMID: 38809858 PMCID: PMC11135701 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0303914] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/17/2024] [Accepted: 05/02/2024] [Indexed: 05/31/2024] Open
Abstract
The vertebrate enteric nervous system (ENS) is a crucial network of enteric neurons and glia resident within the entire gastrointestinal tract (GI). Overseeing essential GI functions such as gut motility and water balance, the ENS serves as a pivotal bidirectional link in the gut-brain axis. During early development, the ENS is primarily derived from enteric neural crest cells (ENCCs). Disruptions to ENCC development, as seen in conditions like Hirschsprung disease (HSCR), lead to the absence of ENS in the GI, particularly in the colon. In this study, using zebrafish, we devised an in vivo F0 CRISPR-based screen employing a robust, rapid pipeline integrating single-cell RNA sequencing, CRISPR reverse genetics, and high-content imaging. Our findings unveil various genes, including those encoding opioid receptors, as possible regulators of ENS establishment. In addition, we present evidence that suggests opioid receptor involvement in the neurochemical coding of the larval ENS. In summary, our work presents a novel, efficient CRISPR screen targeting ENS development, facilitating the discovery of previously unknown genes, and increasing knowledge of nervous system construction.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rodrigo Moreno-Campos
- Biosciences Department, Rice University, Houston, Texas, United States of America
- Laboratory of Neural Crest and Enteric Nervous System Development, Rice University, Houston, Texas, United States of America
| | - Eileen W. Singleton
- Biosciences Department, Rice University, Houston, Texas, United States of America
- Laboratory of Neural Crest and Enteric Nervous System Development, Rice University, Houston, Texas, United States of America
| | - Rosa A. Uribe
- Biosciences Department, Rice University, Houston, Texas, United States of America
- Laboratory of Neural Crest and Enteric Nervous System Development, Rice University, Houston, Texas, United States of America
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8
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Llorente C. The Imperative for Innovative Enteric Nervous System-Intestinal Organoid Co-Culture Models: Transforming GI Disease Modeling and Treatment. Cells 2024; 13:820. [PMID: 38786042 PMCID: PMC11119846 DOI: 10.3390/cells13100820] [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: 03/15/2024] [Revised: 04/29/2024] [Accepted: 05/08/2024] [Indexed: 05/25/2024] Open
Abstract
This review addresses the need for innovative co-culture systems integrating the enteric nervous system (ENS) with intestinal organoids. The breakthroughs achieved through these techniques will pave the way for a transformative era in gastrointestinal (GI) disease modeling and treatment strategies. This review serves as an introduction to the companion protocol paper featured in this journal. The protocol outlines the isolation and co-culture of myenteric and submucosal neurons with small intestinal organoids. This review provides an overview of the intestinal organoid culture field to establish a solid foundation for effective protocol application. Remarkably, the ENS surpasses the number of neurons in the spinal cord. Referred to as the "second brain", the ENS orchestrates pivotal roles in GI functions, including motility, blood flow, and secretion. The ENS is organized into myenteric and submucosal plexuses. These plexuses house diverse subtypes of neurons. Due to its proximity to the gut musculature and its cell type complexity, there are methodological intricacies in studying the ENS. Diverse approaches such as primary cell cultures, three-dimensional (3D) neurospheres, and induced ENS cells offer diverse insights into the multifaceted functionality of the ENS. The ENS exhibits dynamic interactions with the intestinal epithelium, the muscle layer, and the immune system, influencing epithelial physiology, motility, immune responses, and the microbiome. Neurotransmitters, including acetylcholine (ACh), serotonin (5-HT), and vasoactive intestinal peptide (VIP), play pivotal roles in these intricate interactions. Understanding these dynamics is imperative, as the ENS is implicated in various diseases, ranging from neuropathies to GI disorders and neurodegenerative diseases. The emergence of organoid technology presents an unprecedented opportunity to study ENS interactions within the complex milieu of the small and large intestines. This manuscript underscores the urgent need for standardized protocols and advanced techniques to unravel the complexities of the ENS and its dynamic relationship with the gut ecosystem. The insights gleaned from such endeavors hold the potential to revolutionize GI disease modeling and treatment paradigms.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cristina Llorente
- Department of Medicine, University of California San Diego, MC0063, 9500 Gilman Drive, La Jolla, CA 92093, USA
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9
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Recinto SJ, Premachandran S, Mukherjee S, Allot A, MacDonald A, Yaqubi M, Gruenheid S, Trudeau LE, Stratton JA. Characterizing enteric neurons in dopamine transporter (DAT)-Cre reporter mice reveals dopaminergic subtypes with dual-transmitter content. Eur J Neurosci 2024; 59:2465-2482. [PMID: 38487941 DOI: 10.1111/ejn.16307] [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: 07/31/2023] [Revised: 02/08/2024] [Accepted: 02/17/2024] [Indexed: 05/22/2024]
Abstract
The enteric nervous system (ENS) comprises a complex network of neurons whereby a subset appears to be dopaminergic although the characteristics, roles, and implications in disease are less understood. Most investigations relating to enteric dopamine (DA) neurons rely on immunoreactivity to tyrosine hydroxylase (TH)-the rate-limiting enzyme in the production of DA. However, TH immunoreactivity is likely to provide an incomplete picture. This study herein provides a comprehensive characterization of DA neurons in the gut using a reporter mouse line, expressing a fluorescent protein (tdTomato) under control of the DA transporter (DAT) promoter. Our findings confirm a unique localization of DA neurons in the gut and unveil the discrete subtypes of DA neurons in this organ, which we characterized using both immunofluorescence and single-cell transcriptomics, as well as validated using in situ hybridization. We observed distinct subtypes of DAT-tdTomato neurons expressing co-transmitters and modulators across both plexuses; some of them likely co-releasing acetylcholine, while others were positive for a slew of canonical DAergic markers (TH, VMAT2 and GIRK2). Interestingly, we uncovered a seemingly novel population of DA neurons unique to the ENS which was ChAT/DAT-tdTomato-immunoreactive and expressed Grp, Calcb, and Sst. Given the clear heterogeneity of DAergic gut neurons, further investigation is warranted to define their functional signatures and decipher their implication in disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sherilyn Junelle Recinto
- Department of Neurology and Neurosurgery Montreal Neurological Institute-Hospital, McGill University, Montreal, Quebec, Canada
- Aligning Science Across Parkinson's (ASAP) Collaborative Research Network, Chevy Chase, Maryland, USA
| | - Shobina Premachandran
- Department of Neurology and Neurosurgery Montreal Neurological Institute-Hospital, McGill University, Montreal, Quebec, Canada
- Aligning Science Across Parkinson's (ASAP) Collaborative Research Network, Chevy Chase, Maryland, USA
| | - Sriparna Mukherjee
- Aligning Science Across Parkinson's (ASAP) Collaborative Research Network, Chevy Chase, Maryland, USA
- Department of Pharmacology and Physiology, Department of Neurosciences, Université de Montreal, Faculty of Medicine, SNC and CIRCA Research Groups, Montreal, Quebec, Canada
| | - Alexis Allot
- Department of Neurology and Neurosurgery Montreal Neurological Institute-Hospital, McGill University, Montreal, Quebec, Canada
| | - Adam MacDonald
- Department of Neurology and Neurosurgery Montreal Neurological Institute-Hospital, McGill University, Montreal, Quebec, Canada
- Aligning Science Across Parkinson's (ASAP) Collaborative Research Network, Chevy Chase, Maryland, USA
| | - Moein Yaqubi
- Department of Neurology and Neurosurgery Montreal Neurological Institute-Hospital, McGill University, Montreal, Quebec, Canada
- Aligning Science Across Parkinson's (ASAP) Collaborative Research Network, Chevy Chase, Maryland, USA
| | - Samantha Gruenheid
- Aligning Science Across Parkinson's (ASAP) Collaborative Research Network, Chevy Chase, Maryland, USA
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, McGill University, Montreal, Quebec, Canada
| | - Louis-Eric Trudeau
- Aligning Science Across Parkinson's (ASAP) Collaborative Research Network, Chevy Chase, Maryland, USA
- Department of Pharmacology and Physiology, Department of Neurosciences, Université de Montreal, Faculty of Medicine, SNC and CIRCA Research Groups, Montreal, Quebec, Canada
| | - Jo Anne Stratton
- Department of Neurology and Neurosurgery Montreal Neurological Institute-Hospital, McGill University, Montreal, Quebec, Canada
- Aligning Science Across Parkinson's (ASAP) Collaborative Research Network, Chevy Chase, Maryland, USA
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10
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Daly AC, Cambuli F, Äijö T, Lötstedt B, Marjanovic N, Kuksenko O, Smith-Erb M, Fernandez S, Domovic D, Van Wittenberghe N, Drokhlyansky E, Griffin GK, Phatnani H, Bonneau R, Regev A, Vickovic S. Tissue and cellular spatiotemporal dynamics in colon aging. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2024:2024.04.22.590125. [PMID: 38712088 PMCID: PMC11071407 DOI: 10.1101/2024.04.22.590125] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/08/2024]
Abstract
Tissue structure and molecular circuitry in the colon can be profoundly impacted by systemic age-related effects, but many of the underlying molecular cues remain unclear. Here, we built a cellular and spatial atlas of the colon across three anatomical regions and 11 age groups, encompassing ~1,500 mouse gut tissues profiled by spatial transcriptomics and ~400,000 single nucleus RNA-seq profiles. We developed a new computational framework, cSplotch, which learns a hierarchical Bayesian model of spatially resolved cellular expression associated with age, tissue region, and sex, by leveraging histological features to share information across tissue samples and data modalities. Using this model, we identified cellular and molecular gradients along the adult colonic tract and across the main crypt axis, and multicellular programs associated with aging in the large intestine. Our multi-modal framework for the investigation of cell and tissue organization can aid in the understanding of cellular roles in tissue-level pathology.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aidan C. Daly
- New York Genome Center, New York, NY, USA
- Center for Computational Biology, Flatiron Institute, New York, NY, USA
| | | | - Tarmo Äijö
- Center for Computational Biology, Flatiron Institute, New York, NY, USA
| | - Britta Lötstedt
- New York Genome Center, New York, NY, USA
- Klarman Cell Observatory Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, MA, USA
- Science for Life Laboratory, Department of Gene Technology, KTH Royal Institute of Technology, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Nemanja Marjanovic
- Klarman Cell Observatory Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, MA, USA
- Department of Biology, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA, USA
| | - Olena Kuksenko
- Klarman Cell Observatory Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, MA, USA
- Department of Neurology, Columbia University Irving Medical Center, New York, NY, USA
| | | | | | | | | | - Eugene Drokhlyansky
- Klarman Cell Observatory Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, MA, USA
| | - Gabriel K Griffin
- Klarman Cell Observatory Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, MA, USA
- Department of Pathology, Brigham and Women’s Hospital, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Hemali Phatnani
- New York Genome Center, New York, NY, USA
- Department of Neurology, Columbia University Irving Medical Center, New York, NY, USA
| | - Richard Bonneau
- Center for Computational Biology, Flatiron Institute, New York, NY, USA
- Center for Data Science, New York University, New York, NY, USA
- Current address: Genentech, 1 DNA Way, South San Francisco, CA, USA
| | - Aviv Regev
- Klarman Cell Observatory Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, MA, USA
- Department of Biology, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA, USA
- Current address: Genentech, 1 DNA Way, South San Francisco, CA, USA
| | - Sanja Vickovic
- New York Genome Center, New York, NY, USA
- Klarman Cell Observatory Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, MA, USA
- Department of Biomedical Engineering and Herbert Irving Institute for Cancer Dynamics, Columbia University, New York, NY, USA
- Science for Life Laboratory, Department of Immunology, Genetics and Pathology, Beijer Laboratory for Gene and Neuro Research, Uppsala University, Uppsala, Sweden
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11
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Geertsma HM, Fisk ZA, Sauline L, Prigent A, Kurgat K, Callaghan SM, Henderson MX, Rousseaux MWC. A topographical atlas of α-synuclein dosage and cell type-specific expression in adult mouse brain and peripheral organs. NPJ Parkinsons Dis 2024; 10:65. [PMID: 38504090 PMCID: PMC10951202 DOI: 10.1038/s41531-024-00672-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/20/2023] [Accepted: 02/26/2024] [Indexed: 03/21/2024] Open
Abstract
Parkinson's disease (PD) is the second most common neurodegenerative disease worldwide and presents pathologically with Lewy pathology and dopaminergic neurodegeneration. Lewy pathology contains aggregated α-synuclein (αSyn), a protein encoded by the SNCA gene which is also mutated or duplicated in a subset of familial PD cases. Due to its predominant presynaptic localization, immunostaining for the protein results in a diffuse reactivity pattern, providing little insight into the types of cells expressing αSyn. As a result, insight into αSyn expression-driven cellular vulnerability has been difficult to ascertain. Using a combination of knock-in mice that target αSyn to the nucleus (SncaNLS) and in situ hybridization of Snca in wild-type mice, we systematically mapped the topography and cell types expressing αSyn in the mouse brain, spinal cord, retina, and gut. We find a high degree of correlation between αSyn protein and RNA levels and further identify cell types with low and high αSyn content. We also find high αSyn expression in neurons, particularly those involved in PD, and to a lower extent in non-neuronal cell types, notably those of oligodendrocyte lineage, which are relevant to multiple system atrophy pathogenesis. Surprisingly, we also found that αSyn is relatively absent from select neuron types, e.g., ChAT-positive motor neurons, whereas enteric neurons universally express some degree of αSyn. Together, this integrated atlas provides insight into the cellular topography of αSyn, and provides a quantitative map to test hypotheses about the role of αSyn in network vulnerability, and thus serves investigations into PD pathogenesis and other α-synucleinopathies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Haley M Geertsma
- University of Ottawa Brain and Mind Research Institute, Ottawa, ON, K1H8M5, Canada
- Department of Cellular and Molecular Medicine, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, ON, K1H8M5, Canada
- Aligning Science Across Parkinson's (ASAP) Collaborative Research Network, Chevy Chase, MD, USA
| | - Zoe A Fisk
- University of Ottawa Brain and Mind Research Institute, Ottawa, ON, K1H8M5, Canada
- Department of Cellular and Molecular Medicine, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, ON, K1H8M5, Canada
- Aligning Science Across Parkinson's (ASAP) Collaborative Research Network, Chevy Chase, MD, USA
| | - Lillian Sauline
- Aligning Science Across Parkinson's (ASAP) Collaborative Research Network, Chevy Chase, MD, USA
- Department of Neurodegenerative Science, Van Andel Institute, Grand Rapids, MI, USA
| | - Alice Prigent
- Aligning Science Across Parkinson's (ASAP) Collaborative Research Network, Chevy Chase, MD, USA
- Department of Neurodegenerative Science, Van Andel Institute, Grand Rapids, MI, USA
| | - Kevin Kurgat
- Aligning Science Across Parkinson's (ASAP) Collaborative Research Network, Chevy Chase, MD, USA
- Department of Neurodegenerative Science, Van Andel Institute, Grand Rapids, MI, USA
| | - Steve M Callaghan
- University of Ottawa Brain and Mind Research Institute, Ottawa, ON, K1H8M5, Canada
- Department of Cellular and Molecular Medicine, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, ON, K1H8M5, Canada
- Aligning Science Across Parkinson's (ASAP) Collaborative Research Network, Chevy Chase, MD, USA
| | - Michael X Henderson
- Aligning Science Across Parkinson's (ASAP) Collaborative Research Network, Chevy Chase, MD, USA.
- Department of Neurodegenerative Science, Van Andel Institute, Grand Rapids, MI, USA.
| | - Maxime W C Rousseaux
- University of Ottawa Brain and Mind Research Institute, Ottawa, ON, K1H8M5, Canada.
- Department of Cellular and Molecular Medicine, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, ON, K1H8M5, Canada.
- Aligning Science Across Parkinson's (ASAP) Collaborative Research Network, Chevy Chase, MD, USA.
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12
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Schneider S, Anderson JB, Bradley RP, Beigel K, Wright CM, Maguire BA, Yan G, Taylor DM, Harbour JW, Heuckeroth RO. BAP1 is required prenatally for differentiation and maintenance of postnatal murine enteric nervous system. J Clin Invest 2024; 134:e177771. [PMID: 38690732 PMCID: PMC11060734 DOI: 10.1172/jci177771] [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: 11/20/2023] [Accepted: 03/05/2024] [Indexed: 05/03/2024] Open
Abstract
Epigenetic regulatory mechanisms are underappreciated, yet are critical for enteric nervous system (ENS) development and maintenance. We discovered that fetal loss of the epigenetic regulator Bap1 in the ENS lineage caused severe postnatal bowel dysfunction and early death in Tyrosinase-Cre Bap1fl/fl mice. Bap1-depleted ENS appeared normal in neonates; however, by P15, Bap1-deficient enteric neurons were largely absent from the small and large intestine of Tyrosinase-Cre Bap1fl/fl mice. Bowel motility became markedly abnormal with disproportionate loss of cholinergic neurons. Single-cell RNA sequencing at P5 showed that fetal Bap1 loss in Tyrosinase-Cre Bap1fl/fl mice markedly altered the composition and relative proportions of enteric neuron subtypes. In contrast, postnatal deletion of Bap1 did not cause enteric neuron loss or impaired bowel motility. These findings suggest that BAP1 is critical for postnatal enteric neuron differentiation and for early enteric neuron survival, a finding that may be relevant to the recently described human BAP1-associated neurodevelopmental disorder.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sabine Schneider
- Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia Research Institute, Abramson Research Center, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA
- Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA
- Department of Neurology, Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA
| | - Jessica B. Anderson
- Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia Research Institute, Abramson Research Center, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA
- Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA
| | - Rebecca P. Bradley
- Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia Research Institute, Abramson Research Center, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA
| | - Katherine Beigel
- Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia Research Institute, Abramson Research Center, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA
- Department of Biomedical and Health Informatics, Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia Research Institute, Abramson Research Center, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA
| | - Christina M. Wright
- Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia Research Institute, Abramson Research Center, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA
- Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA
| | - Beth A. Maguire
- Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia Research Institute, Abramson Research Center, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA
| | - Guang Yan
- Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia Research Institute, Abramson Research Center, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA
| | - Deanne M. Taylor
- Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia Research Institute, Abramson Research Center, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA
- Department of Biomedical and Health Informatics, Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia Research Institute, Abramson Research Center, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA
- Department of Pediatrics, Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA
| | - J. William Harbour
- Department of Ophthalmology, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, Texas, USA
| | - Robert O. Heuckeroth
- Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia Research Institute, Abramson Research Center, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA
- Department of Pediatrics, Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA
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13
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Dershowitz LB, Kaltschmidt JA. Enteric Nervous System Striped Patterning and Disease: Unexplored Pathophysiology. Cell Mol Gastroenterol Hepatol 2024; 18:101332. [PMID: 38479486 PMCID: PMC11176954 DOI: 10.1016/j.jcmgh.2024.03.004] [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: 10/26/2023] [Revised: 03/08/2024] [Accepted: 03/08/2024] [Indexed: 04/04/2024]
Abstract
The enteric nervous system (ENS) controls gastrointestinal (GI) motility, and defects in ENS development underlie pediatric GI motility disorders. In disorders such as Hirschsprung's disease (HSCR), pediatric intestinal pseudo-obstruction (PIPO), and intestinal neuronal dysplasia type B (INDB), ENS structure is altered with noted decreased neuronal density in HSCR and reports of increased neuronal density in PIPO and INDB. The developmental origin of these structural deficits is not fully understood. Here, we review the current understanding of ENS development and pediatric GI motility disorders incorporating new data on ENS structure. In particular, emerging evidence demonstrates that enteric neurons are patterned into circumferential stripes along the longitudinal axis of the intestine during mouse and human development. This novel understanding of ENS structure proposes new questions about the pathophysiology of pediatric GI motility disorders. If the ENS is organized into stripes, could the observed changes in enteric neuron density in HSCR, PIPO, and INDB represent differences in the distribution of enteric neuronal stripes? We review mechanisms of striped patterning from other biological systems and propose how defects in striped ENS patterning could explain structural deficits observed in pediatric GI motility disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lori B Dershowitz
- Department of Neurosurgery, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, California; Wu Tsai Neurosciences Institute, Stanford University, Stanford, California
| | - Julia A Kaltschmidt
- Department of Neurosurgery, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, California; Wu Tsai Neurosciences Institute, Stanford University, Stanford, California.
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14
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Liu J, Zhang S, Emadi S, Guo T, Chen L, Feng B. Morphological, molecular, and functional characterization of mouse glutamatergic myenteric neurons. Am J Physiol Gastrointest Liver Physiol 2024; 326:G279-G290. [PMID: 38193160 PMCID: PMC11211033 DOI: 10.1152/ajpgi.00200.2023] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/18/2023] [Revised: 12/26/2023] [Accepted: 01/02/2024] [Indexed: 01/10/2024]
Abstract
The enteric nervous system (ENS) functions largely independently of the central nervous system (CNS). Glutamate, the dominant neurotransmitter in the CNS and sensory afferents, is not a primary neurotransmitter in the ENS. Only a fraction (∼2%) of myenteric neurons in the mouse distal colon and rectum (colorectum) are positive for vesicular glutamate transporter type 2 (VGLUT2), the structure and function of which remain undetermined. Here, we systematically characterized VGLUT2-positive enteric neurons (VGLUT2-ENs) through sparse labeling with adeno-associated virus, single-cell mRNA sequencing (scRNA-seq), and GCaMP6f calcium imaging. Our results reveal that the majority of VGLUT2-ENs (29 of 31, 93.5%) exhibited Dogiel type I morphology with a single aborally projecting axon; most axons (26 of 29, 89.7%) are between 4 and 10 mm long, each traversing 19 to 34 myenteric ganglia. These anatomical features exclude the VGLUT2-ENs from being intrinsic primary afferent or motor neurons. The scRNA-seq conducted on 52 VGLUT2-ENs suggests different expression profiles from conventional descending interneurons. Ex vivo GCaMP6f recordings from flattened colorectum indicate that almost all VGLUT2-EN (181 of 215, 84.2%) are indirectly activated by colorectal stretch via nicotinic cholinergic neural transmission. In conclusion, VGLUT2-ENs are a functionally unique group of enteric neurons with single aborally projecting long axons that traverse multiple myenteric ganglia and are activated indirectly by colorectal mechanical stretch. This knowledge will provide a solid foundation for subsequent studies on the potential interactions of VGLUT2-EN with extrinsic colorectal afferents via glutamatergic neurotransmission.NEW & NOTEWORTHY We reveal that VGLUT2-positive enteric neurons (EN), although constituting a small fraction of total EN, are homogeneously expressed in the myenteric ganglia, with a slight concentration at the intermediate region between the colon and rectum. Through anatomic, molecular, and functional analyses, we demonstrated that VGLUT2-ENs are activated indirectly by noxious circumferential colorectal stretch via nicotinic cholinergic transmission, suggesting their participation in mechanical visceral nociception.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jia Liu
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Connecticut, Storrs, Connecticut, United States
| | - Shaopeng Zhang
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Connecticut, Storrs, Connecticut, United States
| | - Sharareh Emadi
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Connecticut, Storrs, Connecticut, United States
| | - Tiantian Guo
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Connecticut, Storrs, Connecticut, United States
| | - Longtu Chen
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Connecticut, Storrs, Connecticut, United States
| | - Bin Feng
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Connecticut, Storrs, Connecticut, United States
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15
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Shepherd A, Feinstein L, Sabel S, Rastelli D, Mezhibovsky E, Matthews L, Muppirala A, Robinson A, Sharma KR, ElSeht A, Zeve D, Breault DT, Gershon MD, Rao M. RET Signaling Persists in the Adult Intestine and Stimulates Motility by Limiting PYY Release From Enteroendocrine Cells. Gastroenterology 2024; 166:437-449. [PMID: 37995867 PMCID: PMC10922887 DOI: 10.1053/j.gastro.2023.11.020] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/25/2023] [Revised: 10/17/2023] [Accepted: 11/05/2023] [Indexed: 11/25/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND & AIMS RET tyrosine kinase is necessary for enteric nervous system development. Loss-of-function RET mutations cause Hirschsprung disease (HSCR), in which infants are born with aganglionic bowel. Despite surgical correction, patients with HSCR often experience chronic defecatory dysfunction and enterocolitis, suggesting that RET is important after development. To test this hypothesis, we determined the location of postnatal RET and its significance in gastrointestinal (GI) motility. METHODS RetCFP/+ mice and human transcriptional profiling data were studied to identify the enteric neuronal and epithelial cells that express RET. To determine whether RET regulates gut motility in vivo, genetic, and pharmacologic approaches were used to disrupt RET in all RET-expressing cells, a subset of enteric neurons, or intestinal epithelial cells. RESULTS Distinct subsets of enteric neurons and enteroendocrine cells expressed RET in the adult intestine. RET disruption in the epithelium, rather than in enteric neurons, slowed GI motility selectively in male mice. RET kinase inhibition phenocopied this effect. Most RET+ epithelial cells were either enterochromaffin cells that release serotonin or L-cells that release peptide YY (PYY) and glucagon-like peptide 1 (GLP-1), both of which can alter motility. RET kinase inhibition exaggerated PYY and GLP-1 release in a nutrient-dependent manner without altering serotonin secretion in mice and human organoids. PYY receptor blockade rescued dysmotility in mice lacking epithelial RET. CONCLUSIONS RET signaling normally limits nutrient-dependent peptide release from L-cells and this activity is necessary for normal intestinal motility in male mice. These effects could contribute to dysmotility in HSCR, which predominantly affects males, and uncovers a mechanism that could be targeted to treat post-prandial GI dysfunction.
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Affiliation(s)
- Amy Shepherd
- Department of Pediatrics, Boston Children's Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts
| | - Laurence Feinstein
- Department of Pediatrics, Columbia University Medical Center, New York, New York
| | - Svetlana Sabel
- Department of Pediatrics, Columbia University Medical Center, New York, New York
| | - Daniella Rastelli
- Department of Pediatrics, Boston Children's Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts; Department of Pediatrics, Columbia University Medical Center, New York, New York
| | - Esther Mezhibovsky
- Department of Pediatrics, Columbia University Medical Center, New York, New York
| | - Lynley Matthews
- Department of Pediatrics, Columbia University Medical Center, New York, New York
| | - Anoohya Muppirala
- Department of Pediatrics, Boston Children's Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts
| | - Ariel Robinson
- Department of Pediatrics, Boston Children's Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts
| | - Karina R Sharma
- Department of Pediatrics, Boston Children's Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts
| | - Abrahim ElSeht
- Department of Pediatrics, Boston Children's Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts
| | - Daniel Zeve
- Department of Pediatrics, Boston Children's Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts
| | - David T Breault
- Department of Pediatrics, Boston Children's Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts
| | - Michael D Gershon
- Department of Pathology, Columbia University Medical Center, New York, New York
| | - Meenakshi Rao
- Department of Pediatrics, Boston Children's Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts; Department of Pediatrics, Columbia University Medical Center, New York, New York.
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16
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Uribe RA. Genetic regulation of enteric nervous system development in zebrafish. Biochem Soc Trans 2024; 52:177-190. [PMID: 38174765 PMCID: PMC10903509 DOI: 10.1042/bst20230343] [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: 08/29/2023] [Revised: 12/13/2023] [Accepted: 12/15/2023] [Indexed: 01/05/2024]
Abstract
The enteric nervous system (ENS) is a complex series of interconnected neurons and glia that reside within and along the entire length of the gastrointestinal tract. ENS functions are vital to gut homeostasis and digestion, including local control of peristalsis, water balance, and intestinal cell barrier function. How the ENS develops during embryological development is a topic of great concern, as defects in ENS development can result in various diseases, the most common being Hirschsprung disease, in which variable regions of the infant gut lack ENS, with the distal colon most affected. Deciphering how the ENS forms from its progenitor cells, enteric neural crest cells, is an active area of research across various animal models. The vertebrate animal model, zebrafish, has been increasingly leveraged to understand early ENS formation, and over the past 20 years has contributed to our knowledge of the genetic regulation that underlies enteric development. In this review, I summarize our knowledge regarding the genetic regulation of zebrafish enteric neuronal development, and based on the most current literature, present a gene regulatory network inferred to underlie its construction. I also provide perspectives on areas for future zebrafish ENS research.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rosa A. Uribe
- Biosciences Department, Rice University, Houston, TX 77005, U.S.A
- Laboratory of Neural Crest and Enteric Nervous System Development, Rice University, Houston, TX 77005, U.S.A
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17
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Wang RL, Chang RB. The Coding Logic of Interoception. Annu Rev Physiol 2024; 86:301-327. [PMID: 38061018 PMCID: PMC11103614 DOI: 10.1146/annurev-physiol-042222-023455] [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] [Indexed: 02/13/2024]
Abstract
Interoception, the ability to precisely and timely sense internal body signals, is critical for life. The interoceptive system monitors a large variety of mechanical, chemical, hormonal, and pathological cues using specialized organ cells, organ innervating neurons, and brain sensory neurons. It is important for maintaining body homeostasis, providing motivational drives, and regulating autonomic, cognitive, and behavioral functions. However, compared to external sensory systems, our knowledge about how diverse body signals are coded at a system level is quite limited. In this review, we focus on the unique features of interoceptive signals and the organization of the interoceptive system, with the goal of better understanding the coding logic of interoception.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ruiqi L Wang
- Department of Neuroscience and Department of Cellular and Molecular Physiology, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, Connecticut, USA;
| | - Rui B Chang
- Department of Neuroscience and Department of Cellular and Molecular Physiology, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, Connecticut, USA;
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18
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Majd H, Cesiulis A, Samuel RM, Richter MN, Elder N, Guyer RA, Hao MM, Stamp LA, Goldstein AM, Fattahi F. A call for a unified and multimodal definition of cellular identity in the enteric nervous system. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2024:2024.01.15.575794. [PMID: 38293133 PMCID: PMC10827084 DOI: 10.1101/2024.01.15.575794] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/01/2024]
Abstract
The enteric nervous system (ENS) is a tantalizing frontier in neuroscience. With the recent emergence of single cell transcriptomic technologies, this rare and poorly understood tissue has begun to be better characterized in recent years. A precise functional mapping of enteric neuron diversity is critical for understanding ENS biology and enteric neuropathies. Nonetheless, this pursuit has faced considerable technical challenges. By leveraging different methods to compare available primary mouse and human ENS datasets, we underscore the urgent need for careful identity annotation, achieved through the harmonization and advancements of wet lab and computational techniques. We took different approaches including differential gene expression, module scoring, co-expression and correlation analysis, unbiased biological function hierarchical clustering, data integration and label transfer to compare and contrast functional annotations of several independently reported ENS datasets. These analyses highlight substantial discrepancies stemming from an overreliance on transcriptomics data without adequate validation in tissues. To achieve a comprehensive understanding of enteric neuron identity and their functional context, it is imperative to expand tissue sources and incorporate innovative technologies such as multiplexed imaging, electrophysiology, spatial transcriptomics, as well as comprehensive profiling of epigenome, proteome, and metabolome. Harnessing human pluripotent stem cell (hPSC) models provides unique opportunities for delineating lineage trees of the human ENS, and offers unparalleled advantages, including their scalability and compatibility with genetic manipulation and unbiased screens. We encourage a paradigm shift in our comprehension of cellular complexity and function in the ENS by calling for large-scale collaborative efforts and research investments.
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Affiliation(s)
- Homa Majd
- Department of Cellular and Molecular Pharmacology, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA 94158, USA
- Eli and Edythe Broad Center of Regeneration Medicine and Stem Cell Research, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, 94143, USA
| | - Andrius Cesiulis
- Department of Cellular and Molecular Pharmacology, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA 94158, USA
- Eli and Edythe Broad Center of Regeneration Medicine and Stem Cell Research, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, 94143, USA
| | - Ryan M Samuel
- Department of Cellular and Molecular Pharmacology, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA 94158, USA
- Eli and Edythe Broad Center of Regeneration Medicine and Stem Cell Research, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, 94143, USA
| | - Mikayla N Richter
- Department of Cellular and Molecular Pharmacology, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA 94158, USA
- Eli and Edythe Broad Center of Regeneration Medicine and Stem Cell Research, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, 94143, USA
| | - Nicholas Elder
- Department of Cellular and Molecular Pharmacology, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA 94158, USA
- Eli and Edythe Broad Center of Regeneration Medicine and Stem Cell Research, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, 94143, USA
| | - Richard A Guyer
- Department of Pediatric Surgery, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Marlene M. Hao
- Department of Anatomy and Physiology, the University of Melbourne, Parkville, VIC, Australia
| | - Lincon A. Stamp
- Department of Anatomy and Physiology, the University of Melbourne, Parkville, VIC, Australia
| | - Allan M Goldstein
- Department of Pediatric Surgery, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Faranak Fattahi
- Department of Cellular and Molecular Pharmacology, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA 94158, USA
- Eli and Edythe Broad Center of Regeneration Medicine and Stem Cell Research, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, 94143, USA
- Program in Craniofacial Biology, University of California, San Francisco, California, USA
- Lead contact
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19
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Gomez-Frittelli J, Hamnett R, Kaltschmidt JA. Comparison of wholemount dissection methods for neuronal subtype marker expression in the mouse myenteric plexus. Neurogastroenterol Motil 2024; 36:e14693. [PMID: 37882149 PMCID: PMC10842488 DOI: 10.1111/nmo.14693] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/13/2023] [Revised: 09/05/2023] [Accepted: 10/10/2023] [Indexed: 10/27/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Accurately reporting the identity and representation of enteric nervous system (ENS) neuronal subtypes along the length of the gastrointestinal (GI) tract is critical to advancing our understanding of ENS control of GI function. Reports of varying proportions of subtype marker expression have employed different dissection techniques to achieve wholemount muscularis preparations of myenteric plexus. In this study, we asked whether differences in GI dissection methods could introduce variability into the quantification of marker expression. METHODS We compared three commonly used methods of ENS wholemount dissection: two flat-sheet preparations that differed in the order of microdissection and fixation and a third rod-mounted peeling technique. We also tested a reversed orientation variation of flat-sheet peeling, two step-by-step variations of the rod peeling technique, and whole-gut fixation as a tube. We assessed marker expression using immunohistochemistry, genetic reporter lines, confocal microscopy, and automated image analysis. KEY RESULTS AND CONCLUSIONS We found no significant differences between the two flat-sheet preparation methods in the expression of calretinin or neuronal nitric oxide synthase (nNOS) as a proportion of total neurons in ileum myenteric plexus. However, the rod-mounted peeling method resulted in decreased proportion of neurons labeled for both calretinin and nNOS. This method also resulted in decreased transgenic reporter fluorescent protein (tdTomato) for substance P in distal colon and choline acetyltransferase (ChAT) in both ileum and distal colon. These results suggest that labeling among some markers, both native protein and transgenic fluorescent reporters, is decreased by the rod-mounted mechanical method of peeling. The step-by-step variations of this method point to mechanical manipulation of the tissue as the likely cause of decreased labeling. Our study thereby demonstrates a critical variability in wholemount muscularis dissection methods.
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Affiliation(s)
- Julieta Gomez-Frittelli
- Department of Chemical Engineering, Stanford University, Stanford, CA 94305 USA
- Wu Tsai Neurosciences Institute, Stanford University, Stanford, CA, 94305 USA
| | - Ryan Hamnett
- Wu Tsai Neurosciences Institute, Stanford University, Stanford, CA, 94305 USA
- Department of Neurosurgery, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA 94305 USA
| | - Julia A. Kaltschmidt
- Wu Tsai Neurosciences Institute, Stanford University, Stanford, CA, 94305 USA
- Department of Neurosurgery, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA 94305 USA
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20
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Wang X, Ding C, Li HB. The crosstalk between enteric nervous system and immune system in intestinal development, homeostasis and diseases. SCIENCE CHINA. LIFE SCIENCES 2024; 67:41-50. [PMID: 37672184 DOI: 10.1007/s11427-023-2376-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/20/2023] [Accepted: 04/19/2023] [Indexed: 09/07/2023]
Abstract
The gut is the largest digestive and absorptive organ, which is essential for induction of mucosal and systemic immune responses, and maintenance of metabolic-immune homeostasis. The intestinal components contain the epithelium, stromal cells, immune cells, and enteric nervous system (ENS), as well as the outers, such as gut microbiota, metabolites, and nutrients. The dyshomeostasis of intestinal microenvironment induces abnormal intestinal development and functions, even colon diseases including dysplasia, inflammation and tumor. Several recent studies have identified that ENS plays a crucial role in maintaining the immune homeostasis of gastrointestinal (GI) microenvironment. The crosstalk between ENS and immune cells, mainly macrophages, T cells, and innate lymphoid cells (ILCs), has been found to exert important regulatory roles in intestinal tissue programming, homeostasis, function, and inflammation. In this review, we mainly summarize the critical roles of the interactions between ENS and immune cells in intestinal homeostasis during intestinal development and diseases progression, to provide theoretical bases and ideas for the exploration of immunotherapy for gastrointestinal diseases with the ENS as potential novel targets.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xindi Wang
- Shanghai Institute of Immunology, State Key Laboratory of Oncogenes and Related Genes, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, 200025, China
| | - Chenbo Ding
- Shanghai Institute of Immunology, State Key Laboratory of Oncogenes and Related Genes, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, 200025, China.
- Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine-Yale Institute for Immune Metabolism, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, 200025, China.
| | - Hua-Bing Li
- Shanghai Institute of Immunology, State Key Laboratory of Oncogenes and Related Genes, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, 200025, China.
- Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine-Yale Institute for Immune Metabolism, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, 200025, China.
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21
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Moreno-Campos R, Singleton EW, Uribe RA. A targeted CRISPR-Cas9 mediated F0 screen identifies genes involved in establishment of the enteric nervous system. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2023:2023.12.28.573581. [PMID: 38234831 PMCID: PMC10793464 DOI: 10.1101/2023.12.28.573581] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/19/2024]
Abstract
The vertebrate enteric nervous system (ENS) is a crucial network of enteric neurons and glia resident within the entire gastrointestinal tract (GI). Overseeing essential GI functions such as gut motility and water balance, the ENS serves as a pivotal bidirectional link in the gut-brain axis. During early development, the ENS is primarily derived from enteric neural crest cells (ENCCs). Disruptions to ENCC development, as seen in conditions like Hirschsprung disease (HSCR), lead to absence of ENS in the GI, particularly in the colon. In this study, using zebrafish, we devised an in vivo F0 CRISPR-based screen employing a robust, rapid pipeline integrating single-cell RNA sequencing, CRISPR reverse genetics, and high-content imaging. Our findings unveil various genes, including those encoding for opioid receptors, as possible regulators of ENS establishment. In addition, we present evidence that suggests opioid receptor involvement in neurochemical coding of the larval ENS. In summary, our work presents a novel, efficient CRISPR screen targeting ENS development, facilitating the discovery of previously unknown genes, and increasing knowledge of nervous system construction.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rodrigo Moreno-Campos
- Biosciences Department, Rice University, Houston, Texas, 77005, U.S.A
- Laboratory of Neural Crest and Enteric Nervous System Development, Rice University, Houston, Texas, 77005, U.S.A
| | - Eileen W. Singleton
- Biosciences Department, Rice University, Houston, Texas, 77005, U.S.A
- Laboratory of Neural Crest and Enteric Nervous System Development, Rice University, Houston, Texas, 77005, U.S.A
| | - Rosa A. Uribe
- Biosciences Department, Rice University, Houston, Texas, 77005, U.S.A
- Laboratory of Neural Crest and Enteric Nervous System Development, Rice University, Houston, Texas, 77005, U.S.A
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22
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Pai C, Sengupta R, Heuckeroth RO. Sequencing Reveals miRNAs Enriched in the Developing Mouse Enteric Nervous System. Noncoding RNA 2023; 10:1. [PMID: 38250801 PMCID: PMC10801555 DOI: 10.3390/ncrna10010001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/09/2023] [Revised: 12/01/2023] [Accepted: 12/16/2023] [Indexed: 01/23/2024] Open
Abstract
The enteric nervous system (ENS) is an essential network of neurons and glia in the bowel wall. Defects in ENS development can result in Hirschsprung disease (HSCR), a life-threatening condition characterized by severe constipation, abdominal distention, bilious vomiting, and failure to thrive. A growing body of literature connects HSCR to alterations in miRNA expression, but there are limited data on the normal miRNA landscape in the developing ENS. We sequenced small RNAs (smRNA-seq) and messenger RNAs (mRNA-seq) from ENS precursor cells of mid-gestation Ednrb-EGFP mice and compared them to aggregated RNA from all other cells in the developing bowel. Our smRNA-seq results identified 73 miRNAs that were significantly enriched and highly expressed in the developing ENS, with miR-9, miR-27b, miR-124, miR-137, and miR-488 as our top 5 miRNAs that are conserved in humans. However, contrary to prior reports, our follow-up analyses of miR-137 showed that loss of Mir137 in Nestin-cre, Wnt1-cre, Sox10-cre, or Baf53b-cre lineage cells had no effect on mouse survival or ENS development. Our data provide important context for future studies of miRNAs in HSCR and other ENS diseases and highlight open questions about facility-specific factors in development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Christopher Pai
- The Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia Research Institute, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA;
- Department of Pediatrics, The Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA
| | - Rajarshi Sengupta
- American Association for Cancer Research, Philadelphia, PA 19106, USA;
| | - Robert O. Heuckeroth
- The Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia Research Institute, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA;
- Department of Pediatrics, The Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA
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23
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Kulkarni S, Saha M, Slosberg J, Singh A, Nagaraj S, Becker L, Zhang C, Bukowski A, Wang Z, Liu G, Leser JM, Kumar M, Bakhshi S, Anderson MJ, Lewandoski M, Vincent E, Goff LA, Pasricha PJ. Age-associated changes in lineage composition of the enteric nervous system regulate gut health and disease. eLife 2023; 12:RP88051. [PMID: 38108810 PMCID: PMC10727506 DOI: 10.7554/elife.88051] [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] [Indexed: 12/19/2023] Open
Abstract
The enteric nervous system (ENS), a collection of neural cells contained in the wall of the gut, is of fundamental importance to gastrointestinal and systemic health. According to the prevailing paradigm, the ENS arises from progenitor cells migrating from the neural crest and remains largely unchanged thereafter. Here, we show that the lineage composition of maturing ENS changes with time, with a decline in the canonical lineage of neural-crest derived neurons and their replacement by a newly identified lineage of mesoderm-derived neurons. Single cell transcriptomics and immunochemical approaches establish a distinct expression profile of mesoderm-derived neurons. The dynamic balance between the proportions of neurons from these two different lineages in the post-natal gut is dependent on the availability of their respective trophic signals, GDNF-RET and HGF-MET. With increasing age, the mesoderm-derived neurons become the dominant form of neurons in the ENS, a change associated with significant functional effects on intestinal motility which can be reversed by GDNF supplementation. Transcriptomic analyses of human gut tissues show reduced GDNF-RET signaling in patients with intestinal dysmotility which is associated with reduction in neural crest-derived neuronal markers and concomitant increase in transcriptional patterns specific to mesoderm-derived neurons. Normal intestinal function in the adult gastrointestinal tract therefore appears to require an optimal balance between these two distinct lineages within the ENS.
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Affiliation(s)
- Subhash Kulkarni
- Division of Gastroenterology, Dept of Medicine, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical CenterBostonUnited States
- Division of Medical Sciences, Harvard Medical SchoolBostonUnited States
| | - Monalee Saha
- Center for Neurogastroenterology, Department of Medicine, Johns Hopkins University – School of MedicineBaltimoreUnited States
| | - Jared Slosberg
- Department of Genetic Medicine, Johns Hopkins University – School of MedicineBaltimoreUnited States
| | - Alpana Singh
- Center for Neurogastroenterology, Department of Medicine, Johns Hopkins University – School of MedicineBaltimoreUnited States
| | - Sushma Nagaraj
- Center for Neurogastroenterology, Department of Medicine, Johns Hopkins University – School of MedicineBaltimoreUnited States
| | - Laren Becker
- Division of Gastroenterology, Stanford University – School of MedicineStanfordUnited States
| | - Chengxiu Zhang
- Center for Neurogastroenterology, Department of Medicine, Johns Hopkins University – School of MedicineBaltimoreUnited States
| | - Alicia Bukowski
- Center for Neurogastroenterology, Department of Medicine, Johns Hopkins University – School of MedicineBaltimoreUnited States
| | - Zhuolun Wang
- Center for Neurogastroenterology, Department of Medicine, Johns Hopkins University – School of MedicineBaltimoreUnited States
| | - Guosheng Liu
- Center for Neurogastroenterology, Department of Medicine, Johns Hopkins University – School of MedicineBaltimoreUnited States
| | - Jenna M Leser
- Center for Neurogastroenterology, Department of Medicine, Johns Hopkins University – School of MedicineBaltimoreUnited States
| | - Mithra Kumar
- Center for Neurogastroenterology, Department of Medicine, Johns Hopkins University – School of MedicineBaltimoreUnited States
| | - Shriya Bakhshi
- Center for Neurogastroenterology, Department of Medicine, Johns Hopkins University – School of MedicineBaltimoreUnited States
| | - Matthew J Anderson
- Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer InstituteFrederickUnited States
| | - Mark Lewandoski
- Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer InstituteFrederickUnited States
| | - Elizabeth Vincent
- Department of Genetic Medicine, Johns Hopkins University – School of MedicineBaltimoreUnited States
| | - Loyal A Goff
- Department of Neuroscience, Johns Hopkins University – School of MedicineBaltimoreUnited States
- Kavli Neurodiscovery Institute, Johns Hopkins University – School of MedicineBaltimoreUnited States
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24
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Hsu IU, Lin Y, Guo Y, Xu QJ, Shao Y, Wang RL, Yin D, Zhao J, Young LH, Zhao H, Zhang L, Chang RB. Differential developmental blueprints of organ-intrinsic nervous systems. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2023:2023.12.12.571306. [PMID: 38168446 PMCID: PMC10759999 DOI: 10.1101/2023.12.12.571306] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/05/2024]
Abstract
The organ-intrinsic nervous system is a major interface between visceral organs and the brain, mediating important sensory and regulatory functions in the body-brain axis and serving as critical local processors for organ homeostasis. Molecularly, anatomically, and functionally, organ-intrinsic neurons are highly specialized for their host organs. However, the underlying mechanism that drives this specialization is largely unknown. Here, we describe the differential strategies utilized to achieve organ-specific organization between the enteric nervous system (ENS) 1 and the intrinsic cardiac nervous system (ICNS) 2 , a neuronal network essential for heart performance but poorly characterized. Integrating high-resolution whole-embryo imaging, single-cell genomics, spatial transcriptomics, proteomics, and bioinformatics, we uncover that unlike the ENS which is highly mobile and colonizes the entire gastrointestinal (GI) tract, the ICNS uses a rich set of extracellular matrix (ECM) genes that match with surrounding heart cells and an intermediate dedicated neuronal progenitor state to stabilize itself for a 'beads-on-the-necklace' organization on heart atria. While ICNS- and ENS-precursors are genetically similar, their differentiation paths are influenced by their host-organs, leading to distinct mature neuron types. Co-culturing ENS-precursors with heart cells shifts their identity towards the ICNS and induces the expression of heart-matching ECM genes. Our cross-organ study thus reveals fundamental principles for the maturation and specialization of organ-intrinsic neurons.
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25
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Gao F, Hayashi Y, Saravanaperumal SA, Gajdos GB, Syed SA, Bhagwate AV, Ye Z, Zhong J, Zhang Y, Choi EL, Kvasha SM, Kaur J, Paradise BD, Cheng L, Simone BW, Wright AM, Kellogg TA, Kendrick ML, McKenzie TJ, Sun Z, Yan H, Yu C, Bharucha AE, Linden DR, Lee JH, Ordog T. Hypoxia-Inducible Factor 1α Stabilization Restores Epigenetic Control of Nitric Oxide Synthase 1 Expression and Reverses Gastroparesis in Female Diabetic Mice. Gastroenterology 2023; 165:1458-1474. [PMID: 37597632 PMCID: PMC10840755 DOI: 10.1053/j.gastro.2023.08.009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/09/2022] [Revised: 07/18/2023] [Accepted: 08/09/2023] [Indexed: 08/21/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND & AIMS Although depletion of neuronal nitric oxide synthase (NOS1)-expressing neurons contributes to gastroparesis, stimulating nitrergic signaling is not an effective therapy. We investigated whether hypoxia-inducible factor 1α (HIF1A), which is activated by high O2 consumption in central neurons, is a Nos1 transcription factor in enteric neurons and whether stabilizing HIF1A reverses gastroparesis. METHODS Mice with streptozotocin-induced diabetes, human and mouse tissues, NOS1+ mouse neuroblastoma cells, and isolated nitrergic neurons were studied. Gastric emptying of solids and volumes were determined by breath test and single-photon emission computed tomography, respectively. Gene expression was analyzed by RNA-sequencing, microarrays, immunoblotting, and immunofluorescence. Epigenetic assays included chromatin immunoprecipitation sequencing (13 targets), chromosome conformation capture sequencing, and reporter assays. Mechanistic studies used Cre-mediated recombination, RNA interference, and clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeats (CRISPR)-CRISPR-associated protein 9 (Cas9)-mediated epigenome editing. RESULTS HIF1A signaling from physiological intracellular hypoxia was active in mouse and human NOS1+ myenteric neurons but reduced in diabetes. Deleting Hif1a in Nos1-expressing neurons reduced NOS1 protein by 50% to 92% and delayed gastric emptying of solids in female but not male mice. Stabilizing HIF1A with roxadustat (FG-4592), which is approved for human use, restored NOS1 and reversed gastroparesis in female diabetic mice. In nitrergic neurons, HIF1A up-regulated Nos1 transcription by binding and activating proximal and distal cis-regulatory elements, including newly discovered super-enhancers, facilitating RNA polymerase loading and pause-release, and by recruiting cohesin to loop anchors to alter chromosome topology. CONCLUSIONS Pharmacologic HIF1A stabilization is a novel, translatable approach to restoring nitrergic signaling and treating diabetic gastroparesis. The newly recognized effects of HIF1A on chromosome topology may provide insights into physioxia- and ischemia-related organ function.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fei Gao
- Enteric NeuroScience Program and Department of Physiology and Biomedical Engineering, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minnesota; Gastroenterology Research Unit, Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Department of Medicine, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minnesota; Department of Gastroenterology, First Affiliated Hospital of Jinan University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China
| | - Yujiro Hayashi
- Enteric NeuroScience Program and Department of Physiology and Biomedical Engineering, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minnesota; Gastroenterology Research Unit, Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Department of Medicine, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minnesota
| | - Siva Arumugam Saravanaperumal
- Enteric NeuroScience Program and Department of Physiology and Biomedical Engineering, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minnesota; Gastroenterology Research Unit, Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Department of Medicine, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minnesota
| | - Gabriella B Gajdos
- Enteric NeuroScience Program and Department of Physiology and Biomedical Engineering, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minnesota; Gastroenterology Research Unit, Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Department of Medicine, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minnesota
| | - Sabriya A Syed
- Enteric NeuroScience Program and Department of Physiology and Biomedical Engineering, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minnesota; Gastroenterology Research Unit, Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Department of Medicine, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minnesota; Mayo Clinic Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minnesota
| | - Aditya V Bhagwate
- Division of Computational Biology, Department of Quantitative Health Sciences, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minnesota
| | - Zhenqing Ye
- Division of Computational Biology, Department of Quantitative Health Sciences, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minnesota
| | - Jian Zhong
- Center for Individualized Medicine, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minnesota
| | - Yuebo Zhang
- Enteric NeuroScience Program and Department of Physiology and Biomedical Engineering, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minnesota; Gastroenterology Research Unit, Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Department of Medicine, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minnesota
| | - Egan L Choi
- Enteric NeuroScience Program and Department of Physiology and Biomedical Engineering, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minnesota; Gastroenterology Research Unit, Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Department of Medicine, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minnesota
| | - Sergiy M Kvasha
- Enteric NeuroScience Program and Department of Physiology and Biomedical Engineering, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minnesota; Gastroenterology Research Unit, Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Department of Medicine, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minnesota
| | - Jagneet Kaur
- Enteric NeuroScience Program and Department of Physiology and Biomedical Engineering, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minnesota; Gastroenterology Research Unit, Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Department of Medicine, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minnesota
| | - Brooke D Paradise
- Enteric NeuroScience Program and Department of Physiology and Biomedical Engineering, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minnesota; Gastroenterology Research Unit, Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Department of Medicine, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minnesota; Mayo Clinic Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minnesota
| | - Liang Cheng
- Enteric NeuroScience Program and Department of Physiology and Biomedical Engineering, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minnesota; Gastroenterology Research Unit, Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Department of Medicine, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minnesota; Division of Computational Biology, Department of Quantitative Health Sciences, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minnesota
| | - Brandon W Simone
- Enteric NeuroScience Program and Department of Physiology and Biomedical Engineering, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minnesota; Gastroenterology Research Unit, Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Department of Medicine, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minnesota; Mayo Clinic Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minnesota
| | - Alec M Wright
- Enteric NeuroScience Program and Department of Physiology and Biomedical Engineering, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minnesota
| | - Todd A Kellogg
- Department of Surgery, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minnesota
| | | | | | - Zhifu Sun
- Division of Computational Biology, Department of Quantitative Health Sciences, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minnesota; Center for Individualized Medicine, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minnesota
| | - Huihuang Yan
- Division of Computational Biology, Department of Quantitative Health Sciences, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minnesota; Center for Individualized Medicine, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minnesota
| | - Chuanhe Yu
- Enteric NeuroScience Program and Department of Physiology and Biomedical Engineering, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minnesota; Gastroenterology Research Unit, Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Department of Medicine, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minnesota
| | - Adil E Bharucha
- Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Department of Medicine, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minnesota
| | - David R Linden
- Enteric NeuroScience Program and Department of Physiology and Biomedical Engineering, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minnesota
| | - Jeong-Heon Lee
- Center for Individualized Medicine, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minnesota; Division of Experimental Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Department of Laboratory Medicine and Pathology, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minnesota
| | - Tamas Ordog
- Enteric NeuroScience Program and Department of Physiology and Biomedical Engineering, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minnesota; Gastroenterology Research Unit, Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Department of Medicine, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minnesota; Center for Individualized Medicine, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minnesota.
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26
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Guyer RA, Picard N, Mueller JL, Ohishi K, Leavitt A, Murphy AJ, Cornejo KM, Hotta R, Goldstein AM. Differentiated neuroblastoma cells remain epigenetically poised for de-differentiation to an immature state. Dis Model Mech 2023; 16:dmm049754. [PMID: 38095019 PMCID: PMC10810560 DOI: 10.1242/dmm.049754] [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: 07/13/2022] [Accepted: 11/20/2023] [Indexed: 12/28/2023] Open
Abstract
Neuroblastoma is the most common extracranial solid tumor of childhood and accounts for a significant share of childhood cancer deaths. Prior studies utilizing RNA sequencing of bulk tumor populations showed two predominant cell states characterized by high and low expression of neuronal genes. Although cells respond to treatment by altering their gene expression, it is unclear whether this reflects shifting balances of distinct subpopulations or plasticity of individual cells. Using mouse and human neuroblastoma cell lines lacking MYCN amplification, we show that the antigen CD49b (also known as ITGA2) distinguishes these subpopulations. CD49b expression marked proliferative cells with an immature gene expression program, whereas CD49b-negative cells expressed differentiated neuronal marker genes and were non-cycling. Sorted populations spontaneously switched between CD49b expression states in culture, and CD49b-negative cells could generate rapidly growing, CD49b-positive tumors in mice. Although treatment with the chemotherapy drug doxorubicin selectively killed CD49b-positive cells in culture, the CD49b-positive population recovered when treatment was withdrawn. We profiled histone 3 (H3) lysine 27 acetylation (H3K27ac) to identify enhancers and super enhancers that were specifically active in each population and found that CD49b-negative cells maintained the priming H3 lysine 4 methylation (H3K4me1) mark at elements that were active in cells with high expression of CD49b. Improper maintenance of primed enhancer elements might thus underlie cellular plasticity in neuroblastoma, representing potential therapeutic targets for this lethal tumor.
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Affiliation(s)
- Richard A. Guyer
- Department of Pediatric Surgery, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA 02114, USA
| | - Nicole Picard
- Department of Pediatric Surgery, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA 02114, USA
| | - Jessica L. Mueller
- Department of Pediatric Surgery, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA 02114, USA
| | - Kensuke Ohishi
- Department of Pediatric Surgery, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA 02114, USA
- Drug Discovery Laboratory, Wakunaga Pharmaceutical Co. Ltd., Akitakata, Hiroshima 739-1195, Japan
| | - Abigail Leavitt
- Department of Pediatric Surgery, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA 02114, USA
| | - Andrew J. Murphy
- Department of Surgery, St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, Memphis, TN 38015, USA
| | - Kristine M. Cornejo
- Department of Pathology, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA 02114, USA
| | - Ryo Hotta
- Department of Pediatric Surgery, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA 02114, USA
| | - Allan M. Goldstein
- Department of Pediatric Surgery, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA 02114, USA
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27
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Robinson BG, Oster BA, Robertson K, Kaltschmidt JA. Loss of ASD-related molecule Cntnap2 affects colonic motility in mice. Front Neurosci 2023; 17:1287057. [PMID: 38027494 PMCID: PMC10665486 DOI: 10.3389/fnins.2023.1287057] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/01/2023] [Accepted: 10/24/2023] [Indexed: 12/01/2023] Open
Abstract
Gastrointestinal (GI) symptoms are highly prevalent among individuals with autism spectrum disorder (ASD), but the molecular link between ASD and GI dysfunction remains poorly understood. The enteric nervous system (ENS) is critical for normal GI motility and has been shown to be altered in mouse models of ASD and other neurological disorders. Contactin-associated protein-like 2 (Cntnap2) is an ASD-related synaptic cell-adhesion molecule important for sensory processing. In this study, we examine the role of Cntnap2 in GI motility by characterizing Cntnap2's expression in the ENS and assessing GI function in Cntnap2 mutant mice. We find Cntnap2 expression predominately in enteric sensory neurons. We further assess in vivo and ex vivo GI motility in Cntnap2 mutants and show altered transit time and colonic motility patterns. The overall organization of the ENS appears undisturbed. Our results suggest that Cntnap2 plays a role in GI function and may provide a molecular link between ASD and GI dysfunction.
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Affiliation(s)
- Beatriz G. Robinson
- Wu Tsai Neurosciences Institute, Stanford University, Stanford, CA, United States
- Neurosciences IDP Graduate Program, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA, United States
| | - Beau A. Oster
- Nevada ENDURE Program, University of Nevada, Reno, Reno, NV, United States
| | - Keiramarie Robertson
- Wu Tsai Neurosciences Institute, Stanford University, Stanford, CA, United States
- Neurosciences IDP Graduate Program, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA, United States
| | - Julia A. Kaltschmidt
- Wu Tsai Neurosciences Institute, Stanford University, Stanford, CA, United States
- Department of Neurosurgery, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA, United States
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28
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Jacobs-Li J, Tang W, Li C, Bronner ME. Single-cell profiling coupled with lineage analysis reveals vagal and sacral neural crest contributions to the developing enteric nervous system. eLife 2023; 12:e79156. [PMID: 37877560 PMCID: PMC10627514 DOI: 10.7554/elife.79156] [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: 04/01/2022] [Accepted: 10/23/2023] [Indexed: 10/26/2023] Open
Abstract
During development, much of the enteric nervous system (ENS) arises from the vagal neural crest that emerges from the caudal hindbrain and colonizes the entire gastrointestinal tract. However, a second ENS contribution comes from the sacral neural crest that arises in the caudal neural tube and populates the post-umbilical gut. By coupling single-cell transcriptomics with axial-level-specific lineage tracing in avian embryos, we compared the contributions of embryonic vagal and sacral neural crest cells to the chick ENS and the associated peripheral ganglia (Nerve of Remak and pelvic plexuses). At embryonic day (E) 10, the two neural crest populations form overlapping subsets of neuronal and glia cell types. Surprisingly, the post-umbilical vagal neural crest much more closely resembles the sacral neural crest than the pre-umbilical vagal neural crest. However, some differences in cluster types were noted between vagal and sacral derived cells. Notably, RNA trajectory analysis suggests that the vagal neural crest maintains a neuronal/glial progenitor pool, whereas this cluster is depleted in the E10 sacral neural crest which instead has numerous enteric glia. The present findings reveal sacral neural crest contributions to the hindgut and associated peripheral ganglia and highlight the potential influence of the local environment and/or developmental timing in differentiation of neural crest-derived cells in the developing ENS.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jessica Jacobs-Li
- Division of Biology and Biological Engineering, California Institute of TechnologyPasadenaUnited States
| | - Weiyi Tang
- Division of Biology and Biological Engineering, California Institute of TechnologyPasadenaUnited States
| | - Can Li
- Division of Biology and Biological Engineering, California Institute of TechnologyPasadenaUnited States
| | - Marianne E Bronner
- Division of Biology and Biological Engineering, California Institute of TechnologyPasadenaUnited States
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29
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Aimaier G, Qian K, Cao H, Peng W, Zhang Z, Ma J, Ding J, Wang X. Inhibitory Neurons in Nucleus Tractus Solitarius Are Involved in Decrease of Heart Rate Variability and Development of Depression-Like Behaviors in Temporal Lobe Epilepsy. Int J Neuropsychopharmacol 2023; 26:669-679. [PMID: 37417335 PMCID: PMC10586034 DOI: 10.1093/ijnp/pyad033] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/01/2023] [Revised: 06/09/2023] [Accepted: 07/16/2023] [Indexed: 07/08/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Diminished heart rate variability (HRV) has been observed in epilepsy, especially in epilepsy with depressive disorders. However, the underlying mechanism remains elusive. METHODS We studied HRV, spontaneous recurrent seizures, and depression-like behaviors in different phases of pilocarpine-induced temporal lobe epilepsy (TLE) in mice. Single-cell RNA sequencing analysis was used to identify various nerve cell subsets in TLE mice with and without depression. Differentially expressed gene (DEG) analysis was performed in epilepsy, depression, and HRV central control-related brain areas. RESULTS We found decreased HRV parameters in TLE mice, and alterations were positively correlated with the severity of depression-like behaviors. The severity of depression-like behaviors was correlated with the frequency of spontaneous recurrent seizure. Characteristic expression of mitochondria-related genes was significantly elevated in mice with depression in glial cells, and the enrichment analysis of those DEGs showed an enriched GABAergic synapse pathway in the HRV central control-related brain area. Furthermore, inhibitory neurons in the nucleus tractus solitarius, which is an HRV central control-related brain area, were specifically expressed in TLE mice combined with depression compared with those in mice without depression. A significantly enriched long-term depression pathway in DEGs from inhibitory neurons was found. CONCLUSIONS Our study reported correlations between HRV and epilepsy-depression comorbidity in different phases of TLE. More importantly, we found that HRV central control-related inhibitory neurons are involved in the development of depression in TLE, providing new insights into epilepsy comorbid with depression.
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Affiliation(s)
- Guliqiemu Aimaier
- Department of Neurology, Zhongshan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
- Department of Neurology, First Affiliated Hospital of Xinjiang Medical University, Urumqi, China
| | - Kun Qian
- Department of Information and Intelligence Development, Zhongshan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Huateng Cao
- Institute of Neuroscience, State Key Laboratory of Neuroscience, Key Laboratory of Primate Neurobiology, Center for Excellence in Brain Science and Intelligence Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai, China
- Shanghai Center for Brain Science and Brain-Inspired Intelligence Technology, Shanghai, China
| | - Weifeng Peng
- Department of Neurology, Zhongshan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Zhe Zhang
- Institute of Neuroscience, State Key Laboratory of Neuroscience, Key Laboratory of Primate Neurobiology, Center for Excellence in Brain Science and Intelligence Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai, China
- Shanghai Center for Brain Science and Brain-Inspired Intelligence Technology, Shanghai, China
| | - Jianhua Ma
- Department of Neurology, First Affiliated Hospital of Xinjiang Medical University, Urumqi, China
| | - Jing Ding
- Department of Neurology, Zhongshan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
- CAS Center for Excellence in Brain Science and Intelligence Technology, Shanghai, China
| | - Xin Wang
- Department of Neurology, Zhongshan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
- Department of The State Key Laboratory of Medical Neurobiology and MOE Frontiers Center for Brain Science, Institutes of Brain Science, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
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30
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Grigoletto J, Miraglia F, Benvenuti L, Pellegrini C, Soldi S, Galletti S, Cattaneo A, Pich EM, Grimaldi M, Colla E, Vesci L. Velusetrag rescues GI dysfunction, gut inflammation and dysbiosis in a mouse model of Parkinson's disease. NPJ Parkinsons Dis 2023; 9:140. [PMID: 37783672 PMCID: PMC10545757 DOI: 10.1038/s41531-023-00582-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/24/2023] [Accepted: 09/20/2023] [Indexed: 10/04/2023] Open
Abstract
In patients with Parkinson's disease (PD), constipation is common, and it appears in a prodromal stage before the hallmark motor symptoms. The present study aimed to investigate whether Velusetrag, a selective 5‑HT4 receptor agonist, may be a suitable candidate to improve intestinal motility in a mouse model of PD. Five months old PrP human A53T alpha-synuclein transgenic (Tg) mice, which display severe constipation along with decreased colonic cholinergic transmission already at 3 months, were treated daily with the drug for 4 weeks. Velusetrag treatment reduced constipation by significantly stimulating both the longitudinal and circular-driven contractions and improved inflammation by reducing the level of serum and colonic IL1β and TNF-α and by decreasing the number of GFAP-positive glia cells in the colon of treated mice. No significant downregulation of the 5-HT4 receptor was observed but instead Velusetrag seemed to improve axonal degeneration in Tgs as shown by an increase in NF-H and VAChT staining. Ultimately, Velusetrag restored a well-balanced intestinal microbial composition comparable to non-Tg mice. Based on these promising data, we are confident that Velusetrag is potentially eligible for clinical studies to treat constipation in PD patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jessica Grigoletto
- Bio@SNS Laboratory, Scuola Normale Superiore, Piazza dei Cavalieri 7, 56126, Pisa, Italy
| | - Fabiana Miraglia
- Bio@SNS Laboratory, Scuola Normale Superiore, Piazza dei Cavalieri 7, 56126, Pisa, Italy
| | - Laura Benvenuti
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Pisa, Via Roma 55, 56126, Pisa, Italy
| | - Carolina Pellegrini
- Unit of Histology and Medical Embryology, Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Pisa, Via Roma 55, 56126, Pisa, Italy
| | - Sara Soldi
- AAT Advanced Analytical Technologies Srl, via P. Majavacca 12 - 29017, Fiorenzuola d'Arda (PC), Italy
| | - Serena Galletti
- AAT Advanced Analytical Technologies Srl, via P. Majavacca 12 - 29017, Fiorenzuola d'Arda (PC), Italy
| | - Antonino Cattaneo
- Bio@SNS Laboratory, Scuola Normale Superiore, Piazza dei Cavalieri 7, 56126, Pisa, Italy
- Neurotrophins and Neurodegenerative Diseases Laboratory, Rita Levi-Montalcini European Brain Research Institute, Viale Regina Elena 295, Rome, 00161, Italy
| | - Emilio Merlo Pich
- Corporate R&D, Alfasigma S.p.A., Via Pontina km 30.400, 00071, Pomezia (Rome), Italy
| | - Maria Grimaldi
- Corporate R&D, Alfasigma S.p.A., Via Pontina km 30.400, 00071, Pomezia (Rome), Italy
| | - Emanuela Colla
- Bio@SNS Laboratory, Scuola Normale Superiore, Piazza dei Cavalieri 7, 56126, Pisa, Italy.
- Department of Human Sciences and Promotion of Quality of Life, San Raffaele Open University, Via Val Cannuta 247, 00166, Rome, Italy.
| | - Loredana Vesci
- Corporate R&D, Alfasigma S.p.A., Via Pontina km 30.400, 00071, Pomezia (Rome), Italy.
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31
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Putra BP, Ito K, Cirillo C, Sunardi M, Koseki H, Uesaka T, Enomoto H. Pcgf1 gene disruption reveals primary involvement of epigenetic mechanism in neuronal subtype specification in the enteric nervous system. Dev Growth Differ 2023; 65:461-469. [PMID: 37452641 DOI: 10.1111/dgd.12880] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/15/2023] [Revised: 07/05/2023] [Accepted: 07/11/2023] [Indexed: 07/18/2023]
Abstract
The enteric nervous system (ENS) regulates gut functions independently from the central nervous system (CNS) by its highly autonomic neural circuit that integrates diverse neuronal subtypes. Although several transcription factors are shown to be necessary for the generation of some enteric neuron subtypes, the mechanisms underlying neuronal subtype specification in the ENS remain elusive. In this study, we examined the biological function of Polycomb group RING finger protein 1 (PCGF1), one of the epigenetic modifiers, in the development and differentiation of the ENS by disrupting the Pcgf1 gene selectively in the autonomic-lineage cells. Although ENS precursor migration and enteric neurogenesis were largely unaffected, neuronal differentiation was impaired in the Pcgf1-deficient mice, with the numbers of neurons expressing somatostatin (Sst+ ) decreased in multiple gut regions. Notably, the decrease in Sst+ neurons was associated with the corresponding increase in calbindin+ neurons in the proximal colon. These findings suggest that neuronal subtype conversion may occur in the absence of PCGF1, and that epigenetic mechanism is primarily involved in specification of some enteric neuron subtypes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bayu Pratama Putra
- Division of Neural Differentiation and Regeneration, Department of Physiology and Cell Biology, Kobe University Graduate School of Medicine, Kobe, Japan
| | - Keisuke Ito
- Division of Neural Differentiation and Regeneration, Department of Physiology and Cell Biology, Kobe University Graduate School of Medicine, Kobe, Japan
| | - Carla Cirillo
- Division of Neural Differentiation and Regeneration, Department of Physiology and Cell Biology, Kobe University Graduate School of Medicine, Kobe, Japan
- Toulouse NeuroImaging Center (ToNIC), Inserm, University of Toulouse-Paul Sabatier, Toulouse, France
| | - Mukhamad Sunardi
- Division of Neural Differentiation and Regeneration, Department of Physiology and Cell Biology, Kobe University Graduate School of Medicine, Kobe, Japan
| | - Haruhiko Koseki
- Laboratory for Developmental Genetics, RIKEN Center for Integrative Medical Sciences, Yokohama, Japan
| | - Toshihiro Uesaka
- Division of Neural Differentiation and Regeneration, Department of Physiology and Cell Biology, Kobe University Graduate School of Medicine, Kobe, Japan
| | - Hideki Enomoto
- Division of Neural Differentiation and Regeneration, Department of Physiology and Cell Biology, Kobe University Graduate School of Medicine, Kobe, Japan
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32
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Mariant CL, Bacola G, Van Landeghem L. Mini-Review: Enteric glia of the tumor microenvironment: An affair of corruption. Neurosci Lett 2023; 814:137416. [PMID: 37572875 PMCID: PMC10967235 DOI: 10.1016/j.neulet.2023.137416] [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: 02/22/2023] [Revised: 07/07/2023] [Accepted: 08/02/2023] [Indexed: 08/14/2023]
Abstract
The tumor microenvironment corresponds to a complex mixture of bioactive products released by local and recruited cells whose normal functions have been "corrupted" by cues originating from the tumor, mostly to favor cancer growth, dissemination and resistance to therapies. While the immune and the mesenchymal cellular components of the tumor microenvironment in colon cancer have been under intense scrutiny over the last two decades, the influence of the resident neural cells of the gut on colon carcinogenesis has only very recently begun to draw attention. The vast majority of the resident neural cells of the gastrointestinal tract belong to the enteric nervous system and correspond to enteric neurons and enteric glial cells, both of which have been understudied in the context of colon cancer development and progression. In this review, we especially discuss available evidence on enteric glia impact on colon carcinogenesis. To highlight "corrupted" functioning in enteric glial cells of the tumor microenvironment and its repercussion on tumorigenesis, we first review the main regulatory effects of enteric glial cells on the intestinal epithelium in homeostatic conditions and we next present current knowledge on enteric glia influence on colon tumorigenesis. We particularly examine how enteric glial cell heterogeneity and plasticity require further appreciation to better understand the distinct regulatory interactions enteric glial cell subtypes engage with the various cell types of the tumor, and to identify novel biological targets to block enteric glia pro-carcinogenic signaling.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chloe L Mariant
- Department of Molecular Biomedical Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, NC, USA.
| | - Gregory Bacola
- Department of Molecular Biomedical Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, NC, USA.
| | - Laurianne Van Landeghem
- Department of Molecular Biomedical Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, NC, USA.
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33
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Laddach A, Chng SH, Lasrado R, Progatzky F, Shapiro M, Erickson A, Sampedro Castaneda M, Artemov AV, Bon-Frauches AC, Amaniti EM, Kleinjung J, Boeing S, Ultanir S, Adameyko I, Pachnis V. A branching model of lineage differentiation underpinning the neurogenic potential of enteric glia. Nat Commun 2023; 14:5904. [PMID: 37737269 PMCID: PMC10516949 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-023-41492-3] [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: 03/08/2023] [Accepted: 09/06/2023] [Indexed: 09/23/2023] Open
Abstract
Glial cells have been proposed as a source of neural progenitors, but the mechanisms underpinning the neurogenic potential of adult glia are not known. Using single cell transcriptomic profiling, we show that enteric glial cells represent a cell state attained by autonomic neural crest cells as they transition along a linear differentiation trajectory that allows them to retain neurogenic potential while acquiring mature glial functions. Key neurogenic loci in early enteric nervous system progenitors remain in open chromatin configuration in mature enteric glia, thus facilitating neuronal differentiation under appropriate conditions. Molecular profiling and gene targeting of enteric glial cells in a cell culture model of enteric neurogenesis and a gut injury model demonstrate that neuronal differentiation of glia is driven by transcriptional programs employed in vivo by early progenitors. Our work provides mechanistic insight into the regulatory landscape underpinning the development of intestinal neural circuits and generates a platform for advancing glial cells as therapeutic agents for the treatment of neural deficits.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anna Laddach
- Nervous System Development and Homeostasis Laboratory, the Francis Crick Institute, 1 Midland Road, London, NW1 1AT, UK.
| | - Song Hui Chng
- Nervous System Development and Homeostasis Laboratory, the Francis Crick Institute, 1 Midland Road, London, NW1 1AT, UK
- Experimental Drug Development Centre A*STAR 10 Biopolis Road, Chromos, 138670, Singapore
| | - Reena Lasrado
- Nervous System Development and Homeostasis Laboratory, the Francis Crick Institute, 1 Midland Road, London, NW1 1AT, UK
- COMPASS Pathways PLC, Fora, 33 Broadwick St, London, W1F 0DQ, UK
| | - Fränze Progatzky
- Nervous System Development and Homeostasis Laboratory, the Francis Crick Institute, 1 Midland Road, London, NW1 1AT, UK
| | - Michael Shapiro
- Nervous System Development and Homeostasis Laboratory, the Francis Crick Institute, 1 Midland Road, London, NW1 1AT, UK
| | - Alek Erickson
- Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, 17165, Sweden
| | - Marisol Sampedro Castaneda
- Kinases and Brain Development Laboratory, the Francis Crick Institute, 1 Midland Road, London, NW1 1AT, UK
| | - Artem V Artemov
- Department of Neuroimmunology, Center for Brain Research, Medical University of Vienna, Bienna, 1090, Austria
- Boehringer Ingelheim RCV, Vienna, Austria
| | - Ana Carina Bon-Frauches
- Nervous System Development and Homeostasis Laboratory, the Francis Crick Institute, 1 Midland Road, London, NW1 1AT, UK
| | - Eleni-Maria Amaniti
- Nervous System Development and Homeostasis Laboratory, the Francis Crick Institute, 1 Midland Road, London, NW1 1AT, UK
- Sainsbury Wellcome Centre, London, UK
| | - Jens Kleinjung
- Nervous System Development and Homeostasis Laboratory, the Francis Crick Institute, 1 Midland Road, London, NW1 1AT, UK
- Sosei Heptares, Steinmetz Building, Granta Park, Great Abington, Cambridge, CB21 6DG, UK
| | - Stefan Boeing
- Bioinformatics and Biostatistics Science Technology Platform, the Francis Crick Institute, 1 Midland Road, London, NW1 1AT, UK
| | - Sila Ultanir
- Kinases and Brain Development Laboratory, the Francis Crick Institute, 1 Midland Road, London, NW1 1AT, UK
| | - Igor Adameyko
- Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, 17165, Sweden
- Department of Neuroimmunology, Center for Brain Research, Medical University of Vienna, Bienna, 1090, Austria
| | - Vassilis Pachnis
- Nervous System Development and Homeostasis Laboratory, the Francis Crick Institute, 1 Midland Road, London, NW1 1AT, UK.
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34
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Liu J, Zhang S, Emadi S, Guo T, Chen L, Feng B. Morphological, molecular, and functional characterization of mouse glutamatergic myenteric neurons. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2023:2023.09.18.558146. [PMID: 37781576 PMCID: PMC10541117 DOI: 10.1101/2023.09.18.558146] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/03/2023]
Abstract
The enteric nervous system (ENS) functions largely independently of the central nervous system (CNS). Correspondingly, glutamate, the dominant neurotransmitter in the CNS and sensory afferents, is not a primary neurotransmitter in the ENS. Only a fraction (approximately 2%) of myenteric neurons in the mouse distal colon and rectum (colorectum) are positive for vesicular glutamate transporter type 2 (VGLUT2), the structure and function of which remain undetermined. Here, we systematically characterized VGLUT2-positive enteric neurons (VGLUT2-ENs) through sparse labeling with adeno-associated virus, single-cell mRNA sequencing (scRNA-seq), and GCaMP6f calcium imaging. Our results reveal that the majority of VGLUT2-ENs (29 out of 31, 93.5%) exhibited Dogiel type I morphology with a single aborally projecting axon; most axons (26 out of 29, 89.7%) are between 4 and 10 mm long, each traversing 19 to 34 myenteric ganglia. These anatomical features exclude the VGLUT2-ENs from being intrinsic primary afferent or motor neurons. The scRNA-seq conducted on 52 VGLUT2-ENs suggests different expression profiles from conventional descending interneurons. Ex vivo GCaMP6f recordings from flattened colorectum indicate that almost all VGLUT2-EN (181 out of 215, 84.2%) are indirectly activated by colorectal stretch via nicotinic cholinergic neural transmission. In conclusion, VGLUT2-ENs are a functionally unique group of enteric neurons with single aborally projecting long axons that traverse multiple myenteric ganglia and are activated indirectly by colorectal mechanical stretch. This knowledge will provide a solid foundation for subsequent studies on the potential interactions of VGLUT2-EN with extrinsic colorectal afferents via glutamatergic neurotransmission. New & Noteworthy We reveal that VGLUT2-positive enteric neurons (EN), although constituting a small fraction of total EN, are homogeneously expressed in the myenteric ganglia, with a slight concentration at the intermediate region between the colon and rectum. This concentration coincides with the entry zone of extrinsic afferents into the colorectum. Given that VGLUT2-ENs are indirectly activated by colorectal mechanical stretch, they are likely to participate in visceral nociception through glutamatergic neural transmission with extrinsic afferents.
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35
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Timmermans JP. The autonomic nervous system from a morphofunctional perspective: Historical overview and current concepts over the last two centuries highlighting contributions from Eastern Europe. Anat Rec (Hoboken) 2023; 306:2222-2229. [PMID: 36733228 DOI: 10.1002/ar.25169] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/24/2022] [Revised: 01/14/2023] [Accepted: 01/16/2023] [Indexed: 02/04/2023]
Abstract
The present contribution comprises both an introductory comment and an overview of the contributions within this special issue on historical and current research on the autonomic nervous system from Eastern European colleagues, particularly focusing on the autonomic innervation of the gastrointestinal tract and of the cardiovascular system. It also gives a selected overview of interesting and seminal papers on these topics that appeared in The Anatomical Record since its foundation in 1906.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jean-Pierre Timmermans
- Laboratory of Cell Biology & Histology, Department of Veterinary Sciences, University of Antwerp, Antwerp, Belgium
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36
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Robinson BG, Oster BA, Robertson K, Kaltschmidt JA. Loss of ASD-Related Molecule Cntnap2 Affects Colonic Motility in Mice. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2023:2023.04.17.537221. [PMID: 37131706 PMCID: PMC10153124 DOI: 10.1101/2023.04.17.537221] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/04/2023]
Abstract
Gastrointestinal (GI) symptoms are highly prevalent among individuals with autism spectrum disorder (ASD), but the molecular link between ASD and GI dysfunction remains poorly understood. The enteric nervous system (ENS) is critical for normal GI motility and has been shown to be altered in mouse models of ASD and other neurological disorders. Contactin-associated protein-like 2 (Cntnap2) is an ASD-related synaptic cell-adhesion molecule important for sensory processing. In this study, we examine the role of Cntnap2 in GI motility by characterizing Cntnap2's expression in the ENS and assessing GI function in Cntnap2 mutant mice. We find Cntnap2 expression predominately in enteric sensory neurons. We further assess in-vivo and ex-vivo GI motility in Cntnap2 mutants and show altered transit time and colonic motility patterns. The overall organization of the ENS appears undisturbed. Our results suggest that Cntnap2 plays a role in GI function and may provide a molecular link between ASD and GI dysfunction.
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Affiliation(s)
- Beatriz G. Robinson
- Wu Tsai Neurosciences Institute, Stanford University, Stanford, CA 94305, USA
- Neurosciences IDP Graduate Program, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA 94305, USA
| | - Beau A. Oster
- Nevada ENDURE Program, University of Nevada, Reno, Reno, NV 89557, USA
| | - Keiramarie Robertson
- Wu Tsai Neurosciences Institute, Stanford University, Stanford, CA 94305, USA
- Neurosciences IDP Graduate Program, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA 94305, USA
| | - Julia A. Kaltschmidt
- Wu Tsai Neurosciences Institute, Stanford University, Stanford, CA 94305, USA
- Department of Neurosurgery, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA 94305, USA
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37
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Bubeck M, Becker C, Patankar JV. Guardians of the gut: influence of the enteric nervous system on the intestinal epithelial barrier. Front Med (Lausanne) 2023; 10:1228938. [PMID: 37692784 PMCID: PMC10485265 DOI: 10.3389/fmed.2023.1228938] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/25/2023] [Accepted: 07/24/2023] [Indexed: 09/12/2023] Open
Abstract
The intestinal mucosal surface forms one of the largest areas of the body, which is in direct contact with the environment. Co-ordinated sensory functions of immune, epithelial, and neuronal cells ensure the timely detection of noxious queues and potential pathogens and elicit proportional responses to mitigate the threats and maintain homeostasis. Such tuning and maintenance of the epithelial barrier is constantly ongoing during homeostasis and its derangement can become a gateway for systemic consequences. Although efforts in understanding the gatekeeping functions of immune cells have led the way, increasing number of studies point to a crucial role of the enteric nervous system in fine-tuning and maintaining this delicate homeostasis. The identification of immune regulatory functions of enteric neuropeptides and glial-derived factors is still in its infancy, but has already yielded several intriguing insights into their important contribution to the tight control of the mucosal barrier. In this review, we will first introduce the reader to the current understanding of the architecture of the enteric nervous system and the epithelial barrier. Next, we discuss the key discoveries and cellular pathways and mediators that have emerged as links between the enteric nervous, immune, and epithelial systems and how their coordinated actions defend against intestinal infectious and inflammatory diseases. Through this review, the readers will gain a sound understanding of the current neuro-immune-epithelial mechanisms ensuring intestinal barrier integrity and maintenance of intestinal homeostasis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marvin Bubeck
- Department of Medicine 1, Universitätsklinikum Erlangen, Erlangen, Germany
- Deutsches Zentrum Immuntherapie (DZI), Erlangen, Germany
| | - Christoph Becker
- Department of Medicine 1, Universitätsklinikum Erlangen, Erlangen, Germany
- Deutsches Zentrum Immuntherapie (DZI), Erlangen, Germany
| | - Jay V. Patankar
- Department of Medicine 1, Universitätsklinikum Erlangen, Erlangen, Germany
- Deutsches Zentrum Immuntherapie (DZI), Erlangen, Germany
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Vincent E, Chatterjee S, Cannon GH, Auer D, Ross H, Chakravarti A, Goff LA. Ret deficiency decreases neural crest progenitor proliferation and restricts fate potential during enteric nervous system development. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 2023; 120:e2211986120. [PMID: 37585461 PMCID: PMC10451519 DOI: 10.1073/pnas.2211986120] [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: 07/14/2022] [Accepted: 07/18/2023] [Indexed: 08/18/2023] Open
Abstract
The receptor tyrosine kinase RET plays a critical role in the fate specification of enteric neural crest-derived cells (ENCDCs) during enteric nervous system (ENS) development. RET loss of function (LoF) is associated with Hirschsprung disease (HSCR), which is marked by aganglionosis of the gastrointestinal (GI) tract. Although the major phenotypic consequences and the underlying transcriptional changes from Ret LoF in the developing ENS have been described, cell type- and state-specific effects are unknown. We performed single-cell RNA sequencing on an enriched population of ENCDCs from the developing GI tract of Ret null heterozygous and homozygous mice at embryonic day (E)12.5 and E14.5. We demonstrate four significant findings: 1) Ret-expressing ENCDCs are a heterogeneous population comprising ENS progenitors as well as glial- and neuronal-committed cells; 2) neurons committed to a predominantly inhibitory motor neuron developmental trajectory are not produced under Ret LoF, leaving behind a mostly excitatory motor neuron developmental program; 3) expression patterns of HSCR-associated and Ret gene regulatory network genes are impacted by Ret LoF; and 4) Ret deficiency leads to precocious differentiation and reduction in the number of proliferating ENS precursors. Our results support a model in which Ret contributes to multiple distinct cellular phenotypes during development of the ENS, including the specification of inhibitory neuron subtypes, cell cycle dynamics of ENS progenitors, and the developmental timing of neuronal and glial commitment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elizabeth Vincent
- McKusick-Nathans Department of Genetic Medicine, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD21205
| | - Sumantra Chatterjee
- Center for Human Genetics and Genomics, New York University Grossman School of Medicine, New York, NY10016
- Department of Neuroscience and Physiology, New York University Grossman School of Medicine, New York, NY10016
| | - Gabrielle H. Cannon
- McKusick-Nathans Department of Genetic Medicine, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD21205
| | - Dallas Auer
- McKusick-Nathans Department of Genetic Medicine, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD21205
| | - Holly Ross
- McKusick-Nathans Department of Genetic Medicine, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD21205
| | - Aravinda Chakravarti
- Center for Human Genetics and Genomics, New York University Grossman School of Medicine, New York, NY10016
- Department of Neuroscience and Physiology, New York University Grossman School of Medicine, New York, NY10016
| | - Loyal A. Goff
- McKusick-Nathans Department of Genetic Medicine, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD21205
- Solomon H. Snyder Department of Neuroscience, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD21205
- Kavli Neurodiscovery Institute, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD21205
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39
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Macpherson AJ, Pachnis V, Prinz M. Boundaries and integration between microbiota, the nervous system, and immunity. Immunity 2023; 56:1712-1726. [PMID: 37557080 DOI: 10.1016/j.immuni.2023.07.011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/11/2023] [Revised: 07/17/2023] [Accepted: 07/17/2023] [Indexed: 08/11/2023]
Abstract
The enteric nervous system is largely autonomous, and the central nervous system is compartmentalized behind the blood-brain barrier. Yet the intestinal microbiota shapes gut function, local and systemic immune responses, and central nervous system functions including cognition and mood. In this review, we address how the gut microbiota can profoundly influence neural and immune networks. Although many of the interactions between these three systems originate in the intestinal mucosa, intestinal function and immunity are modulated by neural pathways that connect the gut and brain. Furthermore, a subset of microbe-derived penetrant molecules enters the brain and regulates central nervous system function. Understanding how these seemingly isolated entities communicate has the potential to open up new avenues for therapies and interventions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andrew J Macpherson
- Department of Visceral Surgery and Medicine, Inselspital, Bern University Hospital, University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland.
| | - Vassilis Pachnis
- Nervous System Development and Homeostasis Laboratory, The Francis Crick Institute, London, UK
| | - Marco Prinz
- Institute of Neuropathology, University of Freiburg, Faculty of Medicine, Freiburg, Germany; Signalling Research Centres BIOSS and CIBSS, University of Freiburg, Freiburg, Germany
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40
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Lefèvre MA, Soret R, Pilon N. Harnessing the Power of Enteric Glial Cells' Plasticity and Multipotency for Advancing Regenerative Medicine. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:12475. [PMID: 37569849 PMCID: PMC10419543 DOI: 10.3390/ijms241512475] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/20/2023] [Revised: 07/31/2023] [Accepted: 08/03/2023] [Indexed: 08/13/2023] Open
Abstract
The enteric nervous system (ENS), known as the intrinsic nervous system of the gastrointestinal tract, is composed of a diverse array of neuronal and glial cell subtypes. Fascinating questions surrounding the generation of cellular diversity in the ENS have captivated ENS biologists for a considerable time, particularly with recent advancements in cell type-specific transcriptomics at both population and single-cell levels. However, the current focus of research in this field is predominantly restricted to the study of enteric neuron subtypes, while the investigation of enteric glia subtypes significantly lags behind. Despite this, enteric glial cells (EGCs) are increasingly recognized as equally important regulators of numerous bowel functions. Moreover, a subset of postnatal EGCs exhibits remarkable plasticity and multipotency, distinguishing them as critical entities in the context of advancing regenerative medicine. In this review, we aim to provide an updated overview of the current knowledge on this subject, while also identifying key questions that necessitate future exploration.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marie A. Lefèvre
- Département des Sciences Biologiques, Université du Québec à Montréal (UQAM), Montreal, QC H3C 3P8, Canada;
- Centre D’excellence en Recherche Sur Les Maladies Orphelines—Fondation Courtois (CERMO-FC), Université du Québec à Montréal, Montreal, QC H2X 3Y7, Canada
| | - Rodolphe Soret
- Département des Sciences Biologiques, Université du Québec à Montréal (UQAM), Montreal, QC H3C 3P8, Canada;
- Centre D’excellence en Recherche Sur Les Maladies Orphelines—Fondation Courtois (CERMO-FC), Université du Québec à Montréal, Montreal, QC H2X 3Y7, Canada
| | - Nicolas Pilon
- Département des Sciences Biologiques, Université du Québec à Montréal (UQAM), Montreal, QC H3C 3P8, Canada;
- Centre D’excellence en Recherche Sur Les Maladies Orphelines—Fondation Courtois (CERMO-FC), Université du Québec à Montréal, Montreal, QC H2X 3Y7, Canada
- Département de Pédiatrie, Université de Montréal, Montreal, QC H3T 1C5, Canada
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41
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Servin-Vences MR, Lam RM, Koolen A, Wang Y, Saade DN, Loud M, Kacmaz H, Frausto S, Zhang Y, Beyder A, Marshall KL, Bönnemann CG, Chesler AT, Patapoutian A. PIEZO2 in somatosensory neurons controls gastrointestinal transit. Cell 2023; 186:3386-3399.e15. [PMID: 37541196 PMCID: PMC10501318 DOI: 10.1016/j.cell.2023.07.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/27/2022] [Revised: 04/24/2023] [Accepted: 07/06/2023] [Indexed: 08/06/2023]
Abstract
The gastrointestinal tract is in a state of constant motion. These movements are tightly regulated by the presence of food and help digestion by mechanically breaking down and propelling gut content. Mechanical sensing in the gut is thought to be essential for regulating motility; however, the identity of the neuronal populations, the molecules involved, and the functional consequences of this sensation are unknown. Here, we show that humans lacking PIEZO2 exhibit impaired bowel sensation and motility. Piezo2 in mouse dorsal root, but not nodose ganglia is required to sense gut content, and this activity slows down food transit rates in the stomach, small intestine, and colon. Indeed, Piezo2 is directly required to detect colon distension in vivo. Our study unveils the mechanosensory mechanisms that regulate the transit of luminal contents throughout the gut, which is a critical process to ensure proper digestion, nutrient absorption, and waste removal.
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Affiliation(s)
- M Rocio Servin-Vences
- Department of Neuroscience, Dorris Neuroscience Center, Scripps Research, San Diego, CA, USA; Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Chevy Chase, MD, USA
| | - Ruby M Lam
- National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, USA; NIH-Brown University Graduate Program in Neuroscience, Providence, RI, USA; National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, USA
| | - Alize Koolen
- Department of Neuroscience, Dorris Neuroscience Center, Scripps Research, San Diego, CA, USA; Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Chevy Chase, MD, USA
| | - Yu Wang
- Department of Neuroscience, Dorris Neuroscience Center, Scripps Research, San Diego, CA, USA; Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Chevy Chase, MD, USA
| | - Dimah N Saade
- National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, USA
| | - Meaghan Loud
- Department of Neuroscience, Dorris Neuroscience Center, Scripps Research, San Diego, CA, USA; Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Chevy Chase, MD, USA
| | - Halil Kacmaz
- Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Enteric Neuroscience Program (ENSP), Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN, USA; Department of Physiology and Biomedical Engineering, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN, USA
| | - Suzanne Frausto
- Department of Neuroscience, Dorris Neuroscience Center, Scripps Research, San Diego, CA, USA; Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Chevy Chase, MD, USA
| | - Yunxiao Zhang
- Department of Neuroscience, Dorris Neuroscience Center, Scripps Research, San Diego, CA, USA; Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Chevy Chase, MD, USA
| | - Arthur Beyder
- Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Enteric Neuroscience Program (ENSP), Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN, USA; Department of Physiology and Biomedical Engineering, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN, USA
| | - Kara L Marshall
- Department of Neuroscience, Baylor College of Medicine, Jan and Dan Duncan Neurological Research Institute, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Carsten G Bönnemann
- National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, USA
| | - Alexander T Chesler
- National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, USA; National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, USA.
| | - Ardem Patapoutian
- Department of Neuroscience, Dorris Neuroscience Center, Scripps Research, San Diego, CA, USA; Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Chevy Chase, MD, USA.
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42
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Heimke M, Richter F, Heinze T, Kunke M, Wedel T, Böttner M, Egberts JH, Lucius R, Cossais F. Localization Pattern of Dispatched Homolog 2 (DISP2) in the Central and Enteric Nervous System. J Mol Neurosci 2023; 73:539-548. [PMID: 37369878 PMCID: PMC10517031 DOI: 10.1007/s12031-023-02129-8] [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: 03/07/2023] [Accepted: 05/24/2023] [Indexed: 06/29/2023]
Abstract
Dispatched homolog (DISP) proteins have been implicated in the regulation of hedgehog signaling during embryologic development. Although DISP2 has recently been associated with neuronal development and control of cognitive functions, its localization pattern in the mammalian central and peripheral nervous system has not yet been investigated. In this study, the Disp2 expression profile was assessed in human tissues from publicly available transcriptomic datasets. The DISP2 localization pattern was further characterized in the human and rat central nervous system (CNS), as well as within the colonic enteric nervous system (ENS) using dual-label immunohistochemistry. Colocalization of DISP2 with neuronal and glial markers was additionally analyzed in murine primary ENS culture. At transcriptomic level, DISP2 expression was predominant in neuronal cell types of the CNS and ENS. DISP2 immunoreactivity was mainly located within PGP9.5-positive neurons rather than in S100-positive glial cells throughout the nervous system. Investigation of human and rat brain tissues, colonic specimens, and murine ENS primary cultures revealed that DISP2 was located in neuronal cell somata, as well as along neuronal processes both in the human and murine CNS and ENS. Our results indicate that DISP2 is prominently localized within neuronal cells of the CNS and ENS and support putative functions of DISP2 in these tissues.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marvin Heimke
- Institute of Anatomy, Kiel University, Olshausenstrasse 40, 24098, Kiel, Germany
| | - Florian Richter
- Department of General, Thoracic, Transplantation and Pediatric Surgery, University Hospital Schleswig-Holstein, Kiel University, Kiel, Germany
| | - Tillmann Heinze
- Institute of Anatomy, Kiel University, Olshausenstrasse 40, 24098, Kiel, Germany
| | - Madlen Kunke
- Institute of Anatomy, Kiel University, Olshausenstrasse 40, 24098, Kiel, Germany
| | - Thilo Wedel
- Institute of Anatomy, Kiel University, Olshausenstrasse 40, 24098, Kiel, Germany
| | - Martina Böttner
- Institute of Anatomy, Kiel University, Olshausenstrasse 40, 24098, Kiel, Germany
| | | | - Ralph Lucius
- Institute of Anatomy, Kiel University, Olshausenstrasse 40, 24098, Kiel, Germany
| | - François Cossais
- Institute of Anatomy, Kiel University, Olshausenstrasse 40, 24098, Kiel, Germany.
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43
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Kuil LE, Kakiailatu NJ, Windster JD, Bindels E, Zink JT, van der Zee G, Hofstra RM, Shepherd IT, Melotte V, Alves MM. Unbiased characterization of the larval zebrafish enteric nervous system at a single cell transcriptomic level. iScience 2023; 26:107070. [PMID: 37426341 PMCID: PMC10329177 DOI: 10.1016/j.isci.2023.107070] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/17/2022] [Revised: 12/15/2022] [Accepted: 06/05/2023] [Indexed: 07/11/2023] Open
Abstract
The enteric nervous system (ENS) regulates many gastrointestinal functions including peristalsis, immune regulation and uptake of nutrients. Defects in the ENS can lead to severe enteric neuropathies such as Hirschsprung disease (HSCR). Zebrafish have proven to be fruitful in the identification of genes involved in ENS development and HSCR pathogenesis. However, composition and specification of enteric neurons and glial subtypes at larval stages, remains mainly unexplored. Here, we performed single cell RNA sequencing of zebrafish ENS at 5 days post-fertilization. We identified vagal neural crest progenitors, Schwann cell precursors, and four clusters of differentiated neurons. In addition, a previously unrecognized elavl3+/phox2bb-population of neurons and cx43+/phox2bb-enteric glia was found. Pseudotime analysis supported binary neurogenic branching of ENS differentiation, driven by a notch-responsive state. Taken together, we provide new insights on ENS development and specification, proving that the zebrafish is a valuable model for the study of congenital enteric neuropathies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Laura E. Kuil
- Department of Clinical Genetics, Erasmus University Medical Center, Sophia Children’s Hospital, Rotterdam, the Netherlands
| | - Naomi J.M. Kakiailatu
- Department of Clinical Genetics, Erasmus University Medical Center, Sophia Children’s Hospital, Rotterdam, the Netherlands
| | - Jonathan D. Windster
- Department of Clinical Genetics, Erasmus University Medical Center, Sophia Children’s Hospital, Rotterdam, the Netherlands
- Department of Pediatric Surgery, Erasmus University Medical Center, Sophia Children’s Hospital, Rotterdam, the Netherlands
| | - Eric Bindels
- Department of Hematology, Erasmus MC, Rotterdam, the Netherlands
| | - Joke T.M. Zink
- Department of Hematology, Erasmus MC, Rotterdam, the Netherlands
| | - Gaby van der Zee
- Department of Clinical Genetics, Erasmus University Medical Center, Sophia Children’s Hospital, Rotterdam, the Netherlands
| | - Robert M.W. Hofstra
- Department of Clinical Genetics, Erasmus University Medical Center, Sophia Children’s Hospital, Rotterdam, the Netherlands
| | | | - Veerle Melotte
- Department of Clinical Genetics, Erasmus University Medical Center, Sophia Children’s Hospital, Rotterdam, the Netherlands
- Department of Pathology, GROW-School for Oncology and Developmental Biology, Maastricht University Medical Center, Maastricht, the Netherlands
| | - Maria M. Alves
- Department of Clinical Genetics, Erasmus University Medical Center, Sophia Children’s Hospital, Rotterdam, the Netherlands
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Herath M, Cho E, Marklund U, Franks AE, Bornstein JC, Hill-Yardin EL. Quantitative Spatial Analysis of Neuroligin-3 mRNA Expression in the Enteric Nervous System Reveals a Potential Role in Neuronal-Glial Synapses and Reduced Expression in Nlgn3R451C Mice. Biomolecules 2023; 13:1063. [PMID: 37509099 PMCID: PMC10377306 DOI: 10.3390/biom13071063] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/02/2023] [Revised: 06/23/2023] [Accepted: 06/25/2023] [Indexed: 07/30/2023] Open
Abstract
Mutations in the Neuroligin-3 (Nlgn3) gene are implicated in autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and gastrointestinal (GI) dysfunction, but cellular Nlgn3 expression in the enteric nervous system remains to be characterised. We combined RNAScope in situ hybridization and immunofluorescence to measure Nlgn3 mRNA expression in cholinergic and VIP-expressing submucosal neurons, nitrergic and calretinin-containing myenteric neurons and glial cells in both WT and Nlgn3R451C mutant mice. We measured Nlgn3 mRNA neuronal and glial expression via quantitative three-dimensional image analysis. To validate dual RNAScope/immunofluorescence data, we interrogated available single-cell RNA sequencing (scRNASeq) data to assess for Nlgn3, Nlgn1, Nlgn2 and their binding partners, Nrxn1-3, MGDA1 and MGDA2, in enteric neural subsets. Most submucosal and myenteric neurons expressed Nlgn3 mRNA. In contrast to other Nlgns and binding partners, Nlgn3 was strongly expressed in enteric glia, suggesting a role for neuroligin-3 in mediating enteric neuron-glia interactions. The autism-associated R451C mutation reduces Nlgn3 mRNA expression in cholinergic but not in VIPergic submucosal neurons. In the myenteric plexus, Nlgn3 mRNA levels are reduced in calretinin, nNOS-labelled neurons and S100 β -labelled glia. We provide a comprehensive cellular profile for neuroligin-3 expression in ileal neuronal subpopulations of mice expressing the R451C autism-associated mutation in Nlgn3, which may contribute to the understanding of the pathophysiology of GI dysfunction in ASD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Madushani Herath
- Department of Anatomy & Physiology, University of Melbourne, Parkville, VIC 3010, Australia
| | - Ellie Cho
- Biological Optical Microscopy Platform, University of Melbourne, Parkville, VIC 3010, Australia
| | - Ulrika Marklund
- Division of Molecular Neurobiology, Department of Medical Biochemistry and Biophysics, Karolinska Institute, 171 77 Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Ashley E Franks
- Department of Microbiology, Anatomy Physiology & Pharmacology, School of Agriculture, Biomedicine and Environment, La Trobe University, Bundoora, VIC 3086, Australia
| | - Joel C Bornstein
- Department of Anatomy & Physiology, University of Melbourne, Parkville, VIC 3010, Australia
| | - Elisa L Hill-Yardin
- School of Health and Biomedical Sciences, STEM College, RMIT University, Bundoora, VIC 3083, Australia
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45
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Chen BN, Humenick A, Yew WP, Peterson RA, Wiklendt L, Dinning PG, Spencer NJ, Wattchow DA, Costa M, Brookes SJH. Types of Neurons in the Human Colonic Myenteric Plexus Identified by Multilayer Immunohistochemical Coding. Cell Mol Gastroenterol Hepatol 2023; 16:573-605. [PMID: 37355216 PMCID: PMC10469081 DOI: 10.1016/j.jcmgh.2023.06.010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/06/2022] [Revised: 06/14/2023] [Accepted: 06/15/2023] [Indexed: 06/26/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND AND AIMS Gut functions including motility, secretion, and blood flow are largely controlled by the enteric nervous system. Characterizing the different classes of enteric neurons in the human gut is an important step to understand how its circuitry is organized and how it is affected by disease. METHODS Using multiplexed immunohistochemistry, 12 discriminating antisera were applied to distinguish different classes of myenteric neurons in the human colon (2596 neurons, 12 patients) according to their chemical coding. All antisera were applied to every neuron, in multiple layers, separated by elutions. RESULTS A total of 164 combinations of immunohistochemical markers were present among the 2596 neurons, which could be divided into 20 classes, with statistical validation. Putative functions were ascribed for 4 classes of putative excitatory motor neurons (EMN1-4), 4 inhibitory motor neurons (IMN1-4), 3 ascending interneurons (AIN1-3), 6 descending interneurons (DIN1-6), 2 classes of multiaxonal sensory neurons (SN1-2), and a small, miscellaneous group (1.8% of total). Soma-dendritic morphology was analyzed, revealing 5 common shapes distributed differentially between the 20 classes. Distinctive baskets of axonal varicosities surrounded 45% of myenteric nerve cell bodies and were associated with close appositions, suggesting possible connectivity. Baskets of cholinergic terminals and several other types of baskets selectively targeted ascending interneurons and excitatory motor neurons but were significantly sparser around inhibitory motor neurons. CONCLUSIONS Using a simple immunohistochemical method, human myenteric neurons were shown to comprise multiple classes based on chemical coding and morphology and dense clusters of axonal varicosities were selectively associated with some classes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bao Nan Chen
- Human Physiology, College of Medicine and Public Health, Flinders University, Adelaide, South Australia, Australia
| | - Adam Humenick
- Human Physiology, College of Medicine and Public Health, Flinders University, Adelaide, South Australia, Australia
| | - Wai Ping Yew
- Human Physiology, College of Medicine and Public Health, Flinders University, Adelaide, South Australia, Australia
| | - Rochelle A Peterson
- Human Physiology, College of Medicine and Public Health, Flinders University, Adelaide, South Australia, Australia
| | - Lukasz Wiklendt
- Human Physiology, College of Medicine and Public Health, Flinders University, Adelaide, South Australia, Australia
| | - Phil G Dinning
- Human Physiology, College of Medicine and Public Health, Flinders University, Adelaide, South Australia, Australia; Colorectal Surgical Unit, Division of Surgery, Flinders Medical Centre, Bedford Park, South Australia, Australia
| | - Nick J Spencer
- Human Physiology, College of Medicine and Public Health, Flinders University, Adelaide, South Australia, Australia
| | - David A Wattchow
- Colorectal Surgical Unit, Division of Surgery, Flinders Medical Centre, Bedford Park, South Australia, Australia
| | - Marcello Costa
- Human Physiology, College of Medicine and Public Health, Flinders University, Adelaide, South Australia, Australia
| | - Simon J H Brookes
- Human Physiology, College of Medicine and Public Health, Flinders University, Adelaide, South Australia, Australia.
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Viola MF, Chavero-Pieres M, Modave E, Delfini M, Stakenborg N, Estévez MC, Fabre N, Appeltans I, Martens T, Vandereyken K, Theobald H, Van Herck J, Petry P, Verheijden S, De Schepper S, Sifrim A, Liu Z, Ginhoux F, Azhar M, Schlitzer A, Matteoli G, Kierdorf K, Prinz M, Berghe PV, Voet T, Boeckxstaens G. Dedicated macrophages organize and maintain the enteric nervous system. Nature 2023:10.1038/s41586-023-06200-7. [PMID: 37316669 DOI: 10.1038/s41586-023-06200-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 15.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/23/2022] [Accepted: 05/11/2023] [Indexed: 06/16/2023]
Abstract
Correct development and maturation of the enteric nervous system (ENS) is critical for survival1. At birth, the ENS is immature and requires considerable refinement to exert its functions in adulthood2. Here we demonstrate that resident macrophages of the muscularis externa (MMϕ) refine the ENS early in life by pruning synapses and phagocytosing enteric neurons. Depletion of MMϕ before weaning disrupts this process and results in abnormal intestinal transit. After weaning, MMϕ continue to interact closely with the ENS and acquire a neurosupportive phenotype. The latter is instructed by transforming growth factor-β produced by the ENS; depletion of the ENS and disruption of transforming growth factor-β signalling result in a decrease in neuron-associated MMϕ associated with loss of enteric neurons and altered intestinal transit. These findings introduce a new reciprocal cell-cell communication responsible for maintenance of the ENS and indicate that the ENS, similarly to the brain, is shaped and maintained by a dedicated population of resident macrophages that adapts its phenotype and transcriptome to the timely needs of the ENS niche.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maria Francesca Viola
- Laboratory for Intestinal Neuro-Immune Interaction, Translational Research Center for Gastrointestinal Disorders, Department of Chronic Diseases, Metabolism and Ageing, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Marta Chavero-Pieres
- Laboratory for Intestinal Neuro-Immune Interaction, Translational Research Center for Gastrointestinal Disorders, Department of Chronic Diseases, Metabolism and Ageing, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Elodie Modave
- Laboratory for Intestinal Neuro-Immune Interaction, Translational Research Center for Gastrointestinal Disorders, Department of Chronic Diseases, Metabolism and Ageing, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Marcello Delfini
- Laboratory for Intestinal Neuro-Immune Interaction, Translational Research Center for Gastrointestinal Disorders, Department of Chronic Diseases, Metabolism and Ageing, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Nathalie Stakenborg
- Laboratory for Intestinal Neuro-Immune Interaction, Translational Research Center for Gastrointestinal Disorders, Department of Chronic Diseases, Metabolism and Ageing, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Maria Cuende Estévez
- Laboratory for Intestinal Neuro-Immune Interaction, Translational Research Center for Gastrointestinal Disorders, Department of Chronic Diseases, Metabolism and Ageing, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Naomi Fabre
- Laboratory for Intestinal Neuro-Immune Interaction, Translational Research Center for Gastrointestinal Disorders, Department of Chronic Diseases, Metabolism and Ageing, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Iris Appeltans
- Laboratory for Intestinal Neuro-Immune Interaction, Translational Research Center for Gastrointestinal Disorders, Department of Chronic Diseases, Metabolism and Ageing, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Tobie Martens
- Laboratory for Enteric NeuroScience, Translational Research Center for Gastrointestinal Disorders, Department of Chronic Diseases, Metabolism and Ageing, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Katy Vandereyken
- Laboratory of Reproductive Genomics, Department of Human Genetics, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
- KU Leuven Institute for Single Cell Omics, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Hannah Theobald
- Quantitative Systems Biology, LIMES-Institute, University of Bonn, Bonn, Germany
| | - Jens Van Herck
- Laboratory of Reproductive Genomics, Department of Human Genetics, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Philippe Petry
- Institute of Neuropathology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Freiburg, Freiburg, Germany
- Faculty of Biology, University of Freiburg, Freiburg, Germany
| | - Simon Verheijden
- Laboratory for Intestinal Neuro-Immune Interaction, Translational Research Center for Gastrointestinal Disorders, Department of Chronic Diseases, Metabolism and Ageing, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
- Janssen Research and Development, Janssen Pharmaceutica NV, Beerse, Belgium
| | - Sebastiaan De Schepper
- Laboratory for Intestinal Neuro-Immune Interaction, Translational Research Center for Gastrointestinal Disorders, Department of Chronic Diseases, Metabolism and Ageing, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
- UK Dementia Research Institute, UCL Queen Square Institute of Neurology, Faculty of Brain Sciences, University College London, London, UK
| | - Alejandro Sifrim
- KU Leuven Institute for Single Cell Omics, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
- Laboratory of Multi-Omic Integrative Bioinformatics, Department of Genetics, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
- Leuven AI Institute, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Zhaoyuan Liu
- Shanghai Institute of Immunology, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Florent Ginhoux
- Shanghai Institute of Immunology, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
- Singapore Immunology Network, Agency for Science, Technology & Research, Singapore, Singapore
- Translational Immunology Institute, SingHealth Duke-NUS Academic Medical Centre, Singapore, Singapore
| | - Mohamad Azhar
- Department of Cell Biology and Anatomy, University of South Carolina School of Medicine, Columbia, SC, USA
| | - Andreas Schlitzer
- Quantitative Systems Biology, LIMES-Institute, University of Bonn, Bonn, Germany
| | - Gianluca Matteoli
- Laboratory for Mucosal Immunology, Translational Research Center for Gastrointestinal Disorders, Department of Chronic Diseases, Metabolism and Ageing, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Katrin Kierdorf
- Institute of Neuropathology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Freiburg, Freiburg, Germany
- Centre for Integrative Biological Signalling Studies, University of Freiburg, Freiburg, Germany
- Center for Basics in NeuroModulation (NeuroModulBasics), Faculty of Medicine, University of Freiburg, Freiburg, Germany
| | - Marco Prinz
- Institute of Neuropathology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Freiburg, Freiburg, Germany
- Center for Basics in NeuroModulation (NeuroModulBasics), Faculty of Medicine, University of Freiburg, Freiburg, Germany
- Faculty of Medicine, University of Freiburg, Freiburg, Germany
- Signalling Research Centres BIOSS and CIBSS, University of Freiburg, Freiburg, Germany
| | - Pieter Vanden Berghe
- Laboratory for Enteric NeuroScience, Translational Research Center for Gastrointestinal Disorders, Department of Chronic Diseases, Metabolism and Ageing, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Thierry Voet
- Laboratory of Reproductive Genomics, Department of Human Genetics, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
- KU Leuven Institute for Single Cell Omics, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Guy Boeckxstaens
- Laboratory for Intestinal Neuro-Immune Interaction, Translational Research Center for Gastrointestinal Disorders, Department of Chronic Diseases, Metabolism and Ageing, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium.
- KU Leuven Institute for Single Cell Omics, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium.
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47
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Park H, Jo SH, Lee RH, Macks CP, Ku T, Park J, Lee CW, Hur JK, Sohn CH. Spatial Transcriptomics: Technical Aspects of Recent Developments and Their Applications in Neuroscience and Cancer Research. ADVANCED SCIENCE (WEINHEIM, BADEN-WURTTEMBERG, GERMANY) 2023; 10:e2206939. [PMID: 37026425 PMCID: PMC10238226 DOI: 10.1002/advs.202206939] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/25/2022] [Revised: 03/10/2023] [Indexed: 06/04/2023]
Abstract
Spatial transcriptomics is a newly emerging field that enables high-throughput investigation of the spatial localization of transcripts and related analyses in various applications for biological systems. By transitioning from conventional biological studies to "in situ" biology, spatial transcriptomics can provide transcriptome-scale spatial information. Currently, the ability to simultaneously characterize gene expression profiles of cells and relevant cellular environment is a paradigm shift for biological studies. In this review, recent progress in spatial transcriptomics and its applications in neuroscience and cancer studies are highlighted. Technical aspects of existing technologies and future directions of new developments (as of March 2023), computational analysis of spatial transcriptome data, application notes in neuroscience and cancer studies, and discussions regarding future directions of spatial multi-omics and their expanding roles in biomedical applications are emphasized.
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Affiliation(s)
- Han‐Eol Park
- Center for NanomedicineInstitute for Basic ScienceYonsei UniversitySeoul03722Republic of Korea
- Graduate Program in Nanobiomedical EngineeringAdvanced Science InstituteYonsei UniversitySeoul03722Republic of Korea
- School of Biological SciencesSeoul National UniversitySeoul08826Republic of Korea
| | - Song Hyun Jo
- Graduate School of Medical Science and EngineeringKorea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology (KAIST)Daejeon34141Republic of Korea
| | - Rosalind H. Lee
- School of Life SciencesGwangju Institute of Science and Technology (GIST)Gwangju61005Republic of Korea
| | - Christian P. Macks
- Center for NanomedicineInstitute for Basic ScienceYonsei UniversitySeoul03722Republic of Korea
- Graduate Program in Nanobiomedical EngineeringAdvanced Science InstituteYonsei UniversitySeoul03722Republic of Korea
| | - Taeyun Ku
- Graduate School of Medical Science and EngineeringKorea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology (KAIST)Daejeon34141Republic of Korea
| | - Jihwan Park
- School of Life SciencesGwangju Institute of Science and Technology (GIST)Gwangju61005Republic of Korea
| | - Chung Whan Lee
- Department of ChemistryGachon UniversitySeongnamGyeonggi‐do13120Republic of Korea
| | - Junho K. Hur
- Department of GeneticsCollege of MedicineHanyang UniversitySeoul04763Republic of Korea
| | - Chang Ho Sohn
- Center for NanomedicineInstitute for Basic ScienceYonsei UniversitySeoul03722Republic of Korea
- Graduate Program in Nanobiomedical EngineeringAdvanced Science InstituteYonsei UniversitySeoul03722Republic of Korea
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48
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Dershowitz LB, Li L, Pasca AM, Kaltschmidt JA. Anatomical and functional maturation of the mid-gestation human enteric nervous system. Nat Commun 2023; 14:2680. [PMID: 37160892 PMCID: PMC10170115 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-023-38293-z] [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: 08/26/2022] [Accepted: 04/14/2023] [Indexed: 05/11/2023] Open
Abstract
Immature gastrointestinal motility impedes preterm infant survival. The enteric nervous system controls gastrointestinal motility, yet it is unknown when the human enteric nervous system matures enough to carry out vital functions. Here we demonstrate that the second trimester human fetal enteric nervous system takes on a striped organization akin to the embryonic mouse. Further, we perform ex vivo functional assays of human fetal tissue and find that human fetal gastrointestinal motility matures in a similar progression to embryonic mouse gastrointestinal motility. Together, this provides critical knowledge, which facilitates comparisons with common animal models to advance translational disease investigations and testing of pharmacological agents to enhance gastrointestinal motility in prematurity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lori B Dershowitz
- Department of Neurosurgery, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA, 94305, USA
- Wu Tsai Neurosciences Institute, Stanford University, Stanford, CA, 94305, USA
| | - Li Li
- Department of Pediatrics, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA, 94305, USA
| | - Anca M Pasca
- Department of Pediatrics, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA, 94305, USA.
| | - Julia A Kaltschmidt
- Department of Neurosurgery, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA, 94305, USA.
- Wu Tsai Neurosciences Institute, Stanford University, Stanford, CA, 94305, USA.
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49
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Osorio N, Martineau M, Fortea M, Rouget C, Penalba V, Lee CJ, Boesmans W, Rolli-Derkinderen M, Patel AV, Mondielli G, Conrod S, Labat-Gest V, Papin A, Sasabe J, Sweedler JV, Vanden Berghe P, Delmas P, Mothet JP. d-Serine agonism of GluN1-GluN3 NMDA receptors regulates the activity of enteric neurons and coordinates gut motility. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2023:2023.04.19.537136. [PMID: 37131687 PMCID: PMC10153202 DOI: 10.1101/2023.04.19.537136] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/04/2023]
Abstract
The enteric nervous system (ENS) is a complex network of diverse molecularly defined classes of neurons embedded in the gastrointestinal wall and responsible for controlling the major functions of the gut. As in the central nervous system, the vast array of ENS neurons is interconnected by chemical synapses. Despite several studies reporting the expression of ionotropic glutamate receptors in the ENS, their roles in the gut remain elusive. Here, by using an array of immunohistochemistry, molecular profiling and functional assays, we uncover a new role for d-serine (d-Ser) and non-conventional GluN1-GluN3 N-methyl d-aspartate receptors (NMDARs) in regulating ENS functions. We demonstrate that d-Ser is produced by serine racemase (SR) expressed in enteric neurons. By using both in situ patch clamp recording and calcium imaging, we show that d-Ser alone acts as an excitatory neurotransmitter in the ENS independently of the conventional GluN1-GluN2 NMDARs. Instead, d-Ser directly gates the non-conventional GluN1-GluN3 NMDARs in enteric neurons from both mouse and guinea-pig. Pharmacological inhibition or potentiation of GluN1-GluN3 NMDARs had opposite effects on mouse colonic motor activities, while genetically driven loss of SR impairs gut transit and fluid content of pellet output. Our results demonstrate the existence of native GluN1-GluN3 NMDARs in enteric neurons and open new perspectives on the exploration of excitatory d-Ser receptors in gut function and diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nancy Osorio
- Laboratoire de Neurosciences Cognitives (LNC), Aix-Marseille-Université, CNRS, UMR 7291, Marseille, France
- Centre de Recherche en Neurophysiologie et Neuroscience de Marseille, UMR 7286, CNRS, Université Aix-Marseille, Marseille, France
| | | | - Marina Fortea
- Laboratory for Enteric NeuroScience (LENS), Translational Research Center for Gastrointestinal Disorders (TARGID), University of Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | | | - Virginie Penalba
- Laboratoire de Neurosciences Cognitives (LNC), Aix-Marseille-Université, CNRS, UMR 7291, Marseille, France
- Centre de Recherche en Neurophysiologie et Neuroscience de Marseille, UMR 7286, CNRS, Université Aix-Marseille, Marseille, France
| | - Cindy J. Lee
- Department of Chemistry and the Beckman Institute for Advanced Science and Technology, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, IL, USA
| | - Werend Boesmans
- Laboratory for Enteric NeuroScience (LENS), Translational Research Center for Gastrointestinal Disorders (TARGID), University of Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | | | - Amit V. Patel
- Department of Chemistry and the Beckman Institute for Advanced Science and Technology, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, IL, USA
| | - Grégoire Mondielli
- Centre de Recherche en Neurophysiologie et Neuroscience de Marseille, UMR 7286, CNRS, Université Aix-Marseille, Marseille, France
| | - Sandrine Conrod
- Centre de Recherche en Neurophysiologie et Neuroscience de Marseille, UMR 7286, CNRS, Université Aix-Marseille, Marseille, France
| | | | - Amandine Papin
- Laboratoire de Neurosciences Cognitives (LNC), Aix-Marseille-Université, CNRS, UMR 7291, Marseille, France
| | - Jumpei Sasabe
- Department of Pharmacology, Keio University School of Medicine, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Jonathan V. Sweedler
- Department of Chemistry and the Beckman Institute for Advanced Science and Technology, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, IL, USA
| | - Pieter Vanden Berghe
- Laboratory for Enteric NeuroScience (LENS), Translational Research Center for Gastrointestinal Disorders (TARGID), University of Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Patrick Delmas
- Laboratoire de Neurosciences Cognitives (LNC), Aix-Marseille-Université, CNRS, UMR 7291, Marseille, France
- Centre de Recherche en Neurophysiologie et Neuroscience de Marseille, UMR 7286, CNRS, Université Aix-Marseille, Marseille, France
| | - Jean-Pierre Mothet
- Neurocentre Magendie, INSERM UMR U862, Bordeaux, France
- Centre de Recherche en Neurophysiologie et Neuroscience de Marseille, UMR 7286, CNRS, Université Aix-Marseille, Marseille, France
- Université Paris-Saclay, École Normale Supérieure Paris-Saclay, Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique, CentraleSupélec, LuMIn UMR9024, Gif-sur-Yvette 91190, France
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50
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Li Z, Lui KNC, Lau ST, Lai FPL, Li P, Chung PHY, Wong KKY, Tam PKH, Garica-Barcelo MM, Hui CC, Sham PC, Ngan ESW. Transcriptomics of Hirschsprung disease patient-derived enteric neural crest cells reveals a role for oxidative phosphorylation. Nat Commun 2023; 14:2157. [PMID: 37061531 PMCID: PMC10105741 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-023-37928-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/09/2022] [Accepted: 04/01/2023] [Indexed: 04/17/2023] Open
Abstract
Hirschsprung disease is characterized by the absence of enteric neurons caused by the defects of enteric neural crest cells, leading to intestinal obstruction. Here, using induced pluripotent stem cell-based models of Hirschsprung and single-cell transcriptomic analysis, we identify a gene set of 118 genes commonly dysregulated in all patient enteric neural crest cells, and suggest HDAC1 may be a key regulator of these genes. Furthermore, upregulation of RNA splicing mediators and enhanced alternative splicing events are associated with severe form of Hirschsprung. In particular, the higher inclusion rate of exon 9 in PTBP1 and the perturbed expression of a PTBP1-target, PKM, are significantly enriched in these patient cells, and associated with the defective oxidative phosphorylation and impaired neurogenesis. Hedgehog-induced oxidative phosphorylation significantly enhances the survival and differentiation capacity of patient cells. In sum, we define various factors associated with Hirschsprung pathogenesis and demonstrate the implications of oxidative phosphorylation in enteric neural crest development and HSCR pathogenesis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhixin Li
- Department of Surgery, Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Pokfulam, Hong Kong
| | - Kathy Nga-Chu Lui
- Department of Surgery, Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Pokfulam, Hong Kong
| | - Sin-Ting Lau
- Department of Surgery, Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Pokfulam, Hong Kong
| | - Frank Pui-Ling Lai
- Department of Surgery, Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Pokfulam, Hong Kong
| | - Peng Li
- Scientific Research Center, The Seventh Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-sen University, Shenzhen, 518107, Guangdong, People's Republic of China
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Digestive Cancer Research, The Seventh Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-sen University, No. 628 Zhenyuan Road, Shenzhen, 518107, Guangdong, People's Republic of China
| | - Patrick Ho-Yu Chung
- Department of Surgery, Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Pokfulam, Hong Kong
| | - Kenneth Kak-Yuen Wong
- Department of Surgery, Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Pokfulam, Hong Kong
| | - Paul Kwong-Hing Tam
- Department of Surgery, Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Pokfulam, Hong Kong
| | | | - Chi-Chung Hui
- Program in Developmental & Stem Cell Biology, The Hospital for Sick Children and Department of Molecular Genetics, University of Toronto, Toronto, M5G1L7, ON, Canada
| | - Pak Chung Sham
- Department of Psychiatry, Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Pokfulam, Hong Kong
| | - Elly Sau-Wai Ngan
- Department of Surgery, Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Pokfulam, Hong Kong.
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