Review
Neurosciences
Chang Liu, Jing Yang
Summary: Enteric glial cells (EGCs) play important roles in the gastrointestinal tract by supporting the survival and functions of enteric nervous system (ENS) neurons, and potentially participating in the immune homeostasis of the gut. This review article summarizes the potential involvement of EGCs in immunological disorders such as inflammatory bowel disease, celiac disease, and autoimmune enteropathy, and highlights key questions for future research on the immunological aspects of EGCs.
FRONTIERS IN CELLULAR NEUROSCIENCE
(2022)
Article
Neurosciences
Diego N. Messina, Emanuel D. Peralta, Cristian G. Acosta
Summary: The expression of the K2P channel TREK2 in neurons is regulated by GDNF, and this finding may have therapeutic potential in the treatment of chronic pain.
EXPERIMENTAL NEUROLOGY
(2022)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Michael Meir, Felix Kannapin, Markus Diefenbacher, Yalda Ghoreishi, Catherine Kollmann, Sven Flemming, Christoph-Thomas Germer, Jens Waschke, Patrick Leven, Reiner Schneider, Sven Wehner, Natalie Burkard, Nicolas Schlegel
Summary: These findings indicate that enteric glial cells (EGCs) maintain intestinal epithelial barrier function (IEB) by synthesizing glial cell line-derived neurotrophic factor (GDNF). The protective effects of GDNF on IEB function are mediated through the RET receptor, as shown in experiments using EGC supernatants and GDNF-deficient EGCs.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR SCIENCES
(2021)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Timna Inlender, Einat Nissim-Eliraz, Rhian Stavely, Ryo Hotta, Allan M. Goldstein, Simcha Yagel, Michael J. Gutnick, Nahum Y. Shpigel
Summary: There are significant differences in the prenatal and postnatal development of mucosal enteric glial cells (mEGC) between mice and humans, with mEGCs absent at birth in mice but already present in human fetal gut. Additionally, xenograft experiments show that human mEGCs are more persistent in immuno-compromised mouse hosts compared to murine mEGCs. Single cell RNAseq also indicates disparities in developmental dynamics and gene expression patterns between human and mouse mEGCs.
SCIENTIFIC REPORTS
(2021)
Review
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Laura Lopez-Gomez, Agata Szymaszkiewicz, Marta Zielinska, Raquel Abalo
Summary: Glia cells, previously seen as merely structural support for neurons, have been found to be equally as important, with enteric glial cells in the gastrointestinal tract playing essential roles in neuroprotection and immune system regulation. Nutraceuticals, defined as food substances providing health benefits, have shown potential as alternative methods for preventing and treating enteric gliopathies and associated gastrointestinal conditions, although studies in this area are currently limited.
Article
Pharmacology & Pharmacy
Xiao-Li Zhang, Qi Sun, Zhu-Sheng Quan, Liang Wu, Zi-Ming Liu, Yan-Qi Xia, Qian-Yi Wang, Yue Zhang, Jin-Xia Zhu
Summary: This study found that dopamine promotes the secretion of colonic glial cell-derived neurotrophic factor (GDNF) via D1 receptors on cholinergic neurons, while high concentrations of dopamine inhibit GDNF secretion via D2 receptors on enteric glial cells (EGCs) and/or cholinergic neurons.
BRITISH JOURNAL OF PHARMACOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Jonathan D. Windster, Andrea Sacchetti, Gerben J. Schaaf, Eric M. J. Bindels, Robert M. W. Hofstra, Rene M. H. Wijnen, Cornelius E. J. Sloots, Maria M. Alves
Summary: A selective FACS protocol based on CD56/CD90/CD24 co-expression is developed to enrich and discriminate human ENS cells. Neuronal and glial selective markers are found to be co-expressed by all ENS cells, mainly driven by neuronal fragments. By applying this protocol to single-cell RNA sequencing, high-quality ENS cells are obtained for transcriptome analysis.
Review
Cell Biology
Meryem B. Baghdadi, Tae-Hee Kim
Summary: The gastrointestinal tract is innervated by the enteric nervous system (ENS), also called the second brain. Enteric glial cells, a major cell type in the ENS, play critical roles in gut physiology, including the regulation of intestinal stem cells and immunity. Recent advances in single-cell genomics have revealed the heterogeneity and plasticity of enteric glial cells. This review discusses the established and emerging concepts regarding the roles of mammalian enteric glial cells in gut development, homeostasis, and regeneration.
SEMINARS IN CELL & DEVELOPMENTAL BIOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Pediatrics
Tingting Zhou, Wei Liu, Xiaofang Yu, Zengcai Cao, Weijing Mu, Peimin Hou, Chuantao Ren, Aiwu Li
Summary: Aberrant development of myenteric EGCs was observed in the colon of HSCR, potentially affecting the survival of enteric neurons. Protein and mRNA expression of glial fibrillary acidic protein and S100 calcium-binding protein B showed a decreasing trend from proximal, dilated, and transitional segments to the aganglionic segment.
FRONTIERS IN PEDIATRICS
(2021)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Megan Goyal, Andrea S. Bordt, Jay Neitz, David W. Marshak
Summary: Microglial cells in the retina play a crucial role in maintaining normal structure and function by engulfing pieces of neurons and glial cells, potentially promoting antigen-specific tolerance.
SCIENTIFIC REPORTS
(2023)
Article
Cell & Tissue Engineering
Meryem B. Baghdadi, Arshad Ayyaz, Sabrina Coquenlorge, Bonnie Chu, Sandeep Kumar, Catherine Streutker, Jeffrey L. Wrana, Tae-Hee Kim
Summary: This study investigates the heterogeneity and regulation of enteric glial cells (EGCs) in the intestine during homeostasis and chronic inflammatory bowel disease. A specific subset of glial cells, expressing GFAP, is found to regulate the repair potential of intestinal stem cells (ISCs) through the expression of WNT ligands. The dynamically regulated heterogeneity of EGCs is revealed to be a key part of the intestinal stem cell niche in regeneration and disease.
Article
Cell Biology
Olga Biskou, Felipe Meira de-Faria, Susanna M. Walter, Martin E. Winberg, Staffan Haapaniemi, Par Myrelid, Johan D. Soderholm, Asa V. Keita
Summary: This study found the accumulation of EGC in the Peyer's patches of CD patients and discovered that EGC mediators can cause barrier dysfunction in CD patients. This suggests that EGC may have detrimental effects on the pathophysiology of CD.
Review
Pharmacology & Pharmacy
Franciele F. Scarante, Melissa A. Ribeiro, Ana F. Almeida-Santos, Francisco S. Guimaraes, Alline C. Campos
Summary: CBD, a phytocannabinoid, has potential therapeutic effects in neurological and psychiatric disorders, though the exact pharmacological mechanisms remain uncertain. Studies suggest that CBD may mediate some of its effects by interfering with glial cell function.
FRONTIERS IN PHARMACOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Immunology
Michelle Stakenborg, Saeed Abdurahiman, Veronica De Simone, Gera Goverse, Nathalie Stakenborg, Lies van Baarle, Qin Wu, Dimitri Pirottin, Jung-Seok Kim, Louise Chappell-Maor, Isabel Pintelon, Sofie Thys, Emilie Pollenus, Louis Boon, Philippe Van den Steen, Marlene Hao, Jo A. Van Ginderachter, Guy E. Boeckxstaens, Jean-Pierre Timmermans, Steffen Jung, Thomas Marichal, Sales Ibiza, Gianluca Matteoli
Summary: Monocyte-derived macrophages (M phi s) play crucial roles in regulating muscularis inflammation. This study investigates the heterogeneity of M phi s at different stages of muscularis inflammation and identifies environmental cues that attract and activate tissue-protective M phi s. Results reveal the presence of two main pro-resolving M phi subpopulations during the resolution of muscularis inflammation, and the activation of EGCs in response to micro-environmental damage is shown to stimulate monocyte infiltration and the subsequent differentiation into anti-inflammatory M phi s. Additionally, CSF1-CSF1R signaling is essential for monocyte differentiation and EGC proliferation during muscularis inflammation.
MUCOSAL IMMUNOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Medicine, Research & Experimental
Patricia Pereira Almeida, Beatriz Bastos de Moraes Thomasi, Agatha Cristie Menezes, Beatriz Oliveira Da Cruz, Nathalia da Silva Costa, Michele Lima Brito, Aline D'Avila Pereira, Cecilia Ribeiro Castanon, Viviane Alexandre Nunes Degani, D'Angelo Carlo Magliano, Claude Knauf, Ana Lucia Tavares-Gomes, Milena Barcza Stockler-Pinto
Summary: Chronic kidney disease (CKD) affects the gastrointestinal tract (GIT) by altering motility, gut microbiota, intestinal permeability, and increasing oxidative stress. This study investigates the changes in colonic glial markers, inflammation, and antioxidant parameters in CKD. The findings show that CKD animals display abnormalities in colonic cytoarchitecture, reduced antioxidant activity, and increased inflammation in the enteric glial network of the neuromuscular layer.