Review
Neurosciences
Steven Fried, Eve Wemelle, Patrice D. Cani, Claude Knauf
Summary: This article discusses the interaction between gut microbiota and the brain, focusing on the enteric nervous system as an intermediate partner, and proposes the impact of microbes on the whole body. Research suggests that microbes may influence brain function through the gut-brain axis, affecting neurodegenerative and metabolic disorders.
Review
Immunology
Manuel O. Jakob, Michael Kofoed-Branzk, Divija Deshpande, Shaira Murugan, Christoph S. N. Klose
Summary: The peripheral nervous system plays a crucial role in regulating immune responses through sensory and effector circuits. Neurons can directly respond to inflammatory signals and advancements in single-cell sequencing have allowed for a better understanding of distinct neuronal subsets. This neuro-immune interaction may lead to novel therapeutic approaches for a variety of diseases, including chronic inflammation.
FRONTIERS IN IMMUNOLOGY
(2021)
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
Julia Doroszkiewicz, Magdalena Groblewska, Barbara Mroczko
Summary: The interaction between the gut microbiome and the brain plays a significant role in the development of neurological disorders, including neurodegenerative diseases and neuropsychological disorders. Balanced gut microbiota composition presents new potential opportunities for therapeutic interventions in these diseases.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR SCIENCES
(2021)
Review
Geriatrics & Gerontology
Zi-Han Geng
Summary: The GI tract plays a crucial role in maintaining the stable intestinal microenvironment and its microbiota may have potential impacts on neurological diseases. However, the causal relationship between microbial changes and neurological disorders remains inconclusive at present.
FRONTIERS IN AGING NEUROSCIENCE
(2022)
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)
Review
Microbiology
Godson Aryee, Sarah M. Luecke, Carl R. Dahlen, Kendall C. Swanson, Samat Amat
Summary: Despite extensive research on ruminal methanogens and anti-methanogenic intervention strategies, current approaches for reducing enteric methane emissions have limited efficacy due to the complexity of animal production, genetic variability in methane production, and incomplete understanding of the role of the ruminal microbiome. Recent sequencing-based studies suggest the presence of methanogens in extra-gastrointestinal tissues of cattle. This highlights the potential interactions between ruminal and extra-gastrointestinal methanogenic communities, emphasizing the need for a holistic approach to develop more efficient and long-term methane mitigation strategies.
Editorial Material
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Emmanuel D. Levy, Christine Vogel
Summary: The article discusses the importance of large-scale mapping of protein structures and their various states in understanding proteome function and regulation. The researchers identified hundreds of protein structural changes in response to external stressors, providing a valuable resource for characterizing cellular adaptation.
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.
Article
Immunology
Audrey Inge Schytz Andersen-Civil, Rajlakshmi Anjan Sawale, Gilles Claude Vanwalleghem
Summary: Autism spectrum disorders (ASD), affecting about 1% of the population, are strongly associated with gastrointestinal diseases, leading to deficits in quality of life. The development of ASD involves multiple factors, and dysregulation of gut microbiota and gut barrier integrity may play a crucial role. However, limited research has investigated the impact of the enteric nervous system (ENS) and intestinal mucosal immune factors on ASD-related intestinal disorders. This review assesses the regulation and interactions among enteric immune cells, gut microbiota, and ENS in ASD models, and highlights the potential of zebrafish as a valuable model for studying ASD pathogenesis.
BRAIN BEHAVIOR AND IMMUNITY
(2023)
Review
Virology
Arash Hellysaz, Marie Hagbom
Summary: This qualitative review examines the relationship between rotavirus infection and CNS complications, indicating the involvement of gut-brain mechanisms in symptoms driven by the CNS. Rotavirus can affect the CNS through various pathways, including neural gut-brain communication and systemic spread, requiring further research to elucidate the underlying mechanisms.
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)
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)
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.
Editorial Material
Gastroenterology & Hepatology
Ihsan Ekin Demir, Carmen Mota Reyes
Summary: Pancreatic cancer is known for its ability to invade nerves, and a recent study identified CCL21 and CXCL10 as key mediators of neural invasion, neural remodelling, and pain in pancreatic cancer through a systematic RNA-interference screen.
NATURE REVIEWS GASTROENTEROLOGY & HEPATOLOGY
(2021)
Review
Neurosciences
Fang Cheng Wong, Linhan Ye, Ihsan Ekin Demir, Christoph Kahlert
Summary: This review discusses the role of Schwann cell-derived exosomes in the regenerative potential and pathological processes of the peripheral nervous system, highlighting their potential applications as delivery vehicles for therapeutics and biomarkers. The research emphasizes the crucial role of SC-derived exosomes in the functional integration of the PNS, pointing to an emerging area with much to explore and re-explore.
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Sabine Tacke, Rittika Chunder, Verena Schropp, Eduard Urich, Stefanie Kuerten
Summary: This study investigated the effects of a novel class of anti-CD20 monoclonal antibodies on B cells in an animal model of multiple sclerosis. The results showed that these antibodies can modulate the immune response and pathology of the central nervous system driven by B cells, with type II antibodies potentially being more effective in depleting tissue-infiltrating B cells.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR SCIENCES
(2022)
Article
Gastroenterology & Hepatology
Anita Annahazi, Thomas Erwin Berger, Ihsan Ekin Demir, Florian Zeller, Michael Muller, Markus Anneser, Arne Skerra, Klaus Michel, Michael Schemann
Summary: This study demonstrated for the first time the presence of functional 5-HT1P receptors on human submucous neurons and found no evidence for a role of 5-HT4 or 5-HT7 receptors in the postsynaptic activation of human submucous neurons by 5-HT.
NEUROGASTROENTEROLOGY AND MOTILITY
(2022)
Article
Neurosciences
Felix Boltz, Michael Enders, Andreas Feigenspan, Philipp Kirchner, Arif Ekici, Stefanie Kuerten
Summary: This study investigated the effects of nimodipine on a rat cell line and found that nimodipine can upregulate myelin genes, promote neuroprotection and remyelination, suggesting its potential as a treatment for multiple sclerosis and other demyelinating diseases.
Review
Materials Science, Biomaterials
Ummugulsum Yurteri, Kaan Cifcibasi, Helmut Friess, Guralp O. Ceyhan, Rouzanna Istvanffy, Ihsan Ekin Demir
Summary: This study examines the interaction between Schwann cells and tumor cells in the tumor microenvironment, highlighting the significance of this interaction and proposing a new avenue for future research.
Article
Gastroenterology & Hepatology
Klaus Michel, Birgit Kuch, Sophie Dengler, Ihsan Ekin Demir, Florian Zeller, Michael Schemann
Summary: This study used standardized techniques to measure neuronal densities in the entire gastrointestinal tract of mice, guinea pigs, and humans, finding that the densities were comparable across the three species. The differences in total neuron numbers in the enteric nervous system are likely attributed to differences in body size and intestinal length. The number of enteric neurons is comparable to the number of neurons in the spinal cord for all three species.
NEUROGASTROENTEROLOGY AND MOTILITY
(2022)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Julia Kicherer, Alicia Weier, Michael Enders, Winfried Neuhuber, Thorsten Heider, Stefanie Kuerten
Summary: This study investigated the neurotransmitter signature of enteric nervous system (ENS) neurons and morphological alterations of interstitial cells of Cajal (ICCs) in patients with multiple sclerosis (MS) and mice with experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis (EAE). The study found ENS changes in the myenteric plexus but not in the submucosal plexus in both EAE mice and patients with MS. There was a decrease in ChAT-positive neurons in EAE mice and a trend towards an increase in patients with MS. ANO1 expression was decreased in EAE mice but increased in patients with MS.
APPLIED SCIENCES-BASEL
(2022)
Article
Oncology
Carmen Mota Reyes, Elke Demir, Kaan Cifcibasi, Rouzanna Istvanffy, Helmut Friess, Ihsan Ekin Demir
Summary: Regulatory T cells (Treg) are a major immunosuppressive cell subset in the pancreatic tumor microenvironment, influencing tumor growth by acting either directly on cancer cells or inhibiting effector immune cells. Tregs form a partially redundant network with other immunosuppressive cells like myeloid-derived suppressor cells (MDSC), enhancing tumor immunosuppression and resistance to immunotherapy. Preclinical studies show Treg depletion leads to simultaneous decrease in MDSCs in early tumors, but an inverse association in advanced PCa, prompting comprehensive analysis of PCa's immunosuppressive profile throughout tumorigenesis.
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Alicia Weier, Michael Enders, Philipp Kirchner, Arif Ekici, Marc Bigaud, Christopher Kapitza, Juergen Woerl, Stefanie Kuerten
Summary: Multiple sclerosis is an autoimmune disease of the central nervous system. Siponimod, the only approved drug for secondary progressive MS, acts on the peripheral immune system and does not have pronounced direct neuroprotective effects.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR SCIENCES
(2022)
Article
Cell Biology
Carla Wolf, Sebastian Koeppert, Noemi Becza, Stefanie Kuerten, Greg A. Kirchenbaum, Paul Lehmann
Summary: The scope of immune monitoring is to assess the existence, strength, and quality of immune mechanisms in a host. This study found weak correlations between serum antibody levels and frequency of antigen-reactive memory B cells. Direct monitoring of the memory B cell compartment is necessary for evaluating an individual's potential for anamnestic antibody response.
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Michael Enders, Alicia Weier, Rittika Chunder, Young An, Franziska Bremm, Andreas Feigenspan, Christian Buettner, Arif Buelent Ekici, Enrico Mingardo, Benjamin Odermatt, Stefanie Kuerten
Summary: Multiple sclerosis (MS) is an inflammatory demyelinating disease of the central nervous system. Current treatment strategies for MS primarily focus on immune cell regulation, with no specific therapeutic intervention for neuroprotection and remyelination. However, nimodipine, an L-type voltage-gated calcium channel antagonist, has shown beneficial effects on astrocytes, neurons, and mature oligodendrocytes in a mouse model of MS. This study investigated the effects of nimodipine on myelin-related gene and protein expression in oligodendrocyte precursor cells (OPCs) and found that nimodipine did not have any impact on these expressions. Despite that, nimodipine treatment showed potential for promoting myelination through miRNA regulation.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR SCIENCES
(2023)
Article
Gastroenterology & Hepatology
Sabine Buhner, Stefanie Schaeuffele, Pieter Giesbertz, Ihsan Ekin Demir, Florian Zeller, Claudia Traidl-Hoffmann, Michael Schemann, Stefanie Gilles
Summary: This study investigates the effects of aqueous pollen extracts (APE) on enteric and spinal sensory neurons. The results show that APEs from birch, ragweed, and hazel can activate neurons, suggesting a potential pathophysiological feature of allergic and non-allergic gut inflammation.
NEUROGASTROENTEROLOGY AND MOTILITY
(2023)
Article
Gastroenterology & Hepatology
Robert Patejdl, Ihsan Ekin Demir, Thomas Frieling, Miriam Goebel-Stengel, Lydia Guenther, Jutta Keller, Beate Niesler, Andreas Stengel, Peter H. Neckel
Summary: This study assessed medical students' perceived competence in neurogastroenterology and its place in medical school curricula. The results showed that neurogastroenterology is weakly represented in medical curricula, and students reported low levels of competence in this field. It was suggested that neurogastroenterology should be highlighted more prominently in the curriculum.
NEUROGASTROENTEROLOGY AND MOTILITY
(2023)
Article
Biology
Evgeny Privalov, Matthias Zenkel, Ursula Schloetzer-Schrehardt, Stefanie Kuerten, Antonio Bergua, Bettina Hohberger
Summary: The purpose of this study was to investigate the level of choroidal VIP (VIPchor) in the presence of an increased atmospheric pressure in a chicken model. The results showed that VIPchor level was significantly increased at 40 mmHg compared to the ambient pressure. This finding suggests that the accumulation of VIP within the neurons would decrease vasodilation and choroidal thickness.