Review
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Tinh Thi Nguyen, Peter Baumann, Oliver Tuescher, Sandra Schick, Kristina Endres
Summary: The gut and the brain communicate through various channels and interactions, collectively known as the gut-brain axis. The aging of the enteric nervous system (ENS) in the gut can lead to gastrointestinal dysfunction and contribute to age-related diseases of the brain. Understanding the mechanisms of the aging ENS can provide insights into the diagnosis and treatment of neurodegenerative diseases like Alzheimer's and Parkinson's.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR SCIENCES
(2023)
Review
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Atchariya Chanpong, Osvaldo Borrelli, Nikhil Thapar
Summary: The enteric nervous system (ENS) is a critical nervous system in the gastrointestinal tract that controls key functions and is affected by the microbiota and other nervous systems. Its development during early life plays a significant role in human health and disease. Dysbiosis and pathogenic microorganisms may impact the integrity and function of the ENS. This article explores the relationship between the development and integrity of the ENS and the potential impact of dysbiosis and pathogenic microorganisms.
Review
Physiology
Keith A. Sharkey, Gary M. Mawe
Summary: The gastrointestinal tract is the most complex organ system in the body, controlling digestion and defense functions through the enteric nervous system. This system interacts with the immune system, gut microbiota, and epithelium to maintain mucosal defense and barrier function. Recent developments have improved our understanding of the molecular architecture, function, and regulation of the enteric nervous system, highlighting its importance in maintaining intestinal homeostasis.
PHYSIOLOGICAL REVIEWS
(2023)
Article
Cell Biology
Sabine Heumuller-Klug, Kristina Maurer, Maria A. Tapia-Laliena, Carsten Sticht, Anne Christmann, Handan Moerz, Rasul Khasanov, Elvira Wink, Steven Schulte, Wolfgang Greffrath, Rolf-Detlef Treede, Lucas M. Wessel, Karl-Herbert Schaefer
Summary: Impairment of the nervous system is a major cause of mortality and disability, and congenital enteric dysganglionosis requires neural stem cell transplantation for treatment. This study investigates the impact of freezing and thawing protocols on enteric neural stem cell survival, protein and gene expression, and cell function. The results show that cryopreservation of enteric neural stem cells is possible with minimal changes to protein/gene expression patterns and without affecting neuronal function.
FRONTIERS IN CELL AND DEVELOPMENTAL BIOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Agriculture, Dairy & Animal Science
Qingqing Deng, Yirui Shao, Qiye Wang, Jianzhong Li, Yali Li, Xueqin Ding, Pengfei Huang, Jia Yin, Huansheng Yang, Yulong Yin
Summary: The study found that the 250 mEq/kg dietary electrolyte balance (dEB) diet with citric acid (CA) improved piglet intestinal morphology and digestive enzyme activities, enhancing intestinal digestion and absorption function. Similar improvements were also observed in piglets fed the 100 mEq/kg dEB diet without CA.
JOURNAL OF ANIMAL PHYSIOLOGY AND ANIMAL NUTRITION
(2021)
Review
Gastroenterology & Hepatology
Fatima B. Saldana-Morales, Dasom V. Kim, Ming-Ting Tsai, Gretchen E. Diehl
Summary: A coordinated response between the epithelium, immune system, and enteric nervous system is crucial for proper intestinal function during both health and disease. These systems work together to support digestion and recovery following injury or pathogenic infections by responding to common stimuli.
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Yukiko Ohara, Lisa Fujimura, Akemi Sakamoto, Youichi Teratake, Shuichi Hiraoka, Haruhiko Koseki, Takeshi Saito, Keita Terui, Tetsuya Mitsunaga, Mitsuyuki Nakata, Hideo Yoshida, Masahiko Hatano
Summary: The study found that the megacolon and enteric neuron hyperplasia in KO mice are influenced by genetic background. BALB/c KO mice may serve as a valuable model for functional gastrointestinal diseases such as chronic constipation, aiding in research on underlying mechanisms and providing a foundation for treatment development.
SCIENTIFIC REPORTS
(2021)
Review
Nutrition & Dietetics
Patricia Pereira Almeida, Ana Lucia Tavares-Gomes, Milena Barcza Stockler-Pinto
Summary: The enteric nervous system (ENS) regulates functions and immune processes in the gastrointestinal tract. Diseases can disrupt ENS functionality by increasing reactive oxygen species accumulation, impacting enteric neurons and glial cells. Nutritional strategies aimed at reducing reactive oxygen species production can modulate the ENS, and studies have shown that nutrients with antioxidant roles have potential in this regard.
Review
Developmental Biology
Yi-Ning Kang, Candice Fung, Pieter Vanden Berghe
Summary: This review focuses on the innervation of the gut during embryonic development, highlighting the importance of intrinsic and extrinsic nerves in ensuring proper gut function. The three-dimensional architecture of innervation and the differences in development along the longitudinal and circumferential axes of the gut are discussed. In addition, the formation of intrinsic and extrinsic innervation, as well as the potential influences of external microbial and nutritional cues or neuroimmune interactions on gut innervation development, are reviewed.
Article
Neurosciences
Sabrina S. B. Poon, Lin Y. Hung, Qinglong Wu, Pavitha Parathan, Nazli Yalcinkaya, Anthony Haag, Ruth Ann Luna, Joel C. Bornstein, Tor C. Savidge, Jaime P. P. Foong
Summary: Infants and young children have the highest exposure to antibiotics globally. Early life exposure to antibiotics increases susceptibility to various diseases, especially gut disorders. This study on mice found that neonatal antibiotic treatment has long-term effects on gut function, the enteric nervous system, gut microbiota, and mucosal serotonin levels in young adulthood.
JOURNAL OF PHYSIOLOGY-LONDON
(2022)
Article
Microbiology
Aman Kumar, Regan M. Russell, Mehmet Ali Hoskan, Vanessa Sperandio
Summary: Enteric pathogens such as EHEC and Citrobacter rodentium can sense indole levels within the gut to modulate virulence gene expression, with IsrR serving as a key regulator in discriminating between microbiota-derived and self-produced indole signals. This fine-tuning of gene expression allows pathogens to establish infection in the complex intestinal environment.
Review
Neurosciences
Xinnian Wang, Ruijin Tang, Zhen Wei, Yang Zhan, Jianping Lu, Zhiling Li
Summary: Gastrointestinal disorders frequently coexist with autism spectrum disorder (ASD), and the severity of core behavioral deficits in autism is closely related to abnormalities in these issues. The enteric nervous system (ENS) plays a vital role in regulating gut functions, including gastrointestinal motility. Dysfunctional wiring in the ENS not only leads to various gastrointestinal issues, but also correlates with an increasing number of central nervous system (CNS) disorders, such as ASD. However, it remains unclear whether the gastrointestinal dysfunctions are a consequence of ASD or if they directly contribute to its pathogenesis. This review focuses on the deficits in the ENS associated with ASD, highlights high-risk genes for ASD expressed in the gut and implicated in gastrointestinal dysfunction, and provides an overview of environmental factors associated with the gastrointestinal tract in individuals with autism.
FRONTIERS IN NEUROSCIENCE
(2023)
Article
Developmental Biology
Anne M. Bara, Lei Chen, Celina Ma, Julie Underwood, Rebecca S. Moreci, Kaelyn Sumigray, Tongyu Sun, Yarui Diao, Michael Verzi, Terry Lechler
Summary: This study identifies MAFB and c-MAF as markers of terminally differentiated intestinal enterocytes and reveals their regulation by HNF4 alpha and HNF4 gamma. Loss of Maf factors leads to neonatal-specific failure to thrive and loss of macromolecular nutrient uptake. The researchers also demonstrate major transcriptional changes in metabolic pathways and an increase in peroxisome number in response to loss of Maf proteins. Additionally, loss of BLIMP1 shows similar changes in gene expression and defects in macromolecular uptake.
Review
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Richard A. Guyer, Jessica L. Mueller, Allan M. Goldstein
Summary: With the advancement of technology, single-cell sequencing has become a common tool to analyze cellular diversity and reveal cellular diversity within organs. The application of these methods in the study of the enteric nervous system has provided abundant data and biological insights. As technology continues to evolve, these methods may become commonplace in enteric nervous system research and diagnostic testing.
Review
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Zhixin Li, Elly Sau-Wai Ngan
Summary: With the rapid development of single-cell sequencing technologies, the use of single-cell multimodal sequencing has become a powerful strategy in discovering rare cells and understanding biological processes. This article summarizes recent findings in single-cell multimodal sequencing, particularly focusing on single-cell RNA sequencing (scRNA-seq) in the enteric nervous system (ENS). The studies have revealed the heterogeneity of ENS cells at different developmental stages and identified novel cell types. The application of single-cell multimodal omics techniques in profiling disease mechanisms and cellular drug responses is expected to revolutionize biomedical research.
COMPUTATIONAL AND STRUCTURAL BIOTECHNOLOGY JOURNAL
(2022)