scholarly journals Optogenetic activation of the distal colon epithelium engages enteric nervous system circuits to initiate motility patterns

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sarah A Najjar ◽  
Brian Edwards ◽  
Kathryn M. Albers ◽  
Brian M Davis ◽  
Kristen M Smith-Edwards
Keyword(s):  
Nervous System ◽  
Epithelial Cells ◽  
Enteric Nervous System ◽  
Large Scale ◽  
Ex Vivo ◽  
Distal Colon ◽  
Proximal Colon ◽  
Nerve Fibers ◽  
Colon Motility ◽  
Neural Communication

Background & Aims: Digestive functions of the colon depend on sensory-motor reflexes in the enteric nervous system (ENS), initiated by intrinsic primary afferent neurons (IPANs). IPAN terminals project to the mucosal layer of the colon, allowing communication with epithelial cells comprising the colon lining. The chemical nature and functional significance of this epithelial-neural communication in regards to secretion and colon motility are of high interest. Colon epithelial cells can produce and release neuroactive substances such as ATP and 5-HT, which can activate receptors on adjacent nerve fibers, including IPAN subtypes. In this study we examined if stimulation of epithelial cells alone is sufficient to activate neural circuits that control colon motility. Methods: Optogenetics and calcium imaging were used in ex vivo preparations of the mouse colon to selectively stimulate the colon epithelium, measure changes in motility and record activity of neurons within the myenteric plexus. Results: Light-mediated activation of epithelial cells lining the distal, but not proximal, colon caused local contractions and increased the rate of colonic migrating motor complexes. Epithelial-evoked local contractions in the distal colon were reduced by both ATP and 5-HT receptor antagonists. Conclusions: Our findings indicate that colon epithelial cells likely utilize purinergic and serotonergic signaling to initiate activity in myenteric neurons, produce local contractions and facilitate large-scale coordination of ENS activity responsible for whole-colon motility patterns.

scholarly journals Distribution and function of monoacylglycerol lipase in the gastrointestinal tract

2008 ◽  
Vol 295 (6) ◽  
pp. G1255-G1265 ◽  
Author(s):  
Marnie Duncan ◽  
Adam D. Thomas ◽  
Nina L. Cluny ◽  
Annie Patel ◽  
Kamala D. Patel ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Nervous System ◽  
Enteric Nervous System ◽  
Distal Colon ◽  
Proximal Colon ◽  
Nerve Fibers ◽  
Activity Levels ◽  
Monoacylglycerol Lipase ◽  
And Function ◽  
Endogenous Cannabinoid ◽  
Oxide Synthase

The endogenous cannabinoid system plays an important role in the regulation of gastrointestinal function in health and disease. Endocannabinoid levels are regulated by catabolic enzymes. Here, we describe the presence and localization of monoacylglycerol lipase (MGL), the major enzyme responsible for the degradation of 2-arachidonoylglycerol. We used molecular, biochemical, immunohistochemical, and functional assays to characterize the distribution and activity of MGL. MGL mRNA was present in rat ileum throughout the wall of the gut. MGL protein was distributed in the muscle and mucosal layers of the ileum and in the duodenum, proximal colon, and distal colon. We observed MGL expression in nerve cell bodies and nerve fibers of the enteric nervous system. There was extensive colocalization of MGL with PGP 9.5 and calretinin-immunoreactive neurons, but not with nitric oxide synthase. MGL was also present in the epithelium and was highly expressed in the small intestine. Enzyme activity levels were highest in the duodenum and decreased along the gut with lowest levels in the distal colon. We observed both soluble and membrane-associated enzyme activities. The MGL inhibitor URB602 significantly inhibited whole gut transit in mice, an action that was abolished in cannabinoid 1 receptor-deficient mice. In conclusion, MGL is localized in the enteric nervous system where endocannabinoids regulate intestinal motility. MGL is highly expressed in the epithelium, where this enzyme may have digestive or other functions yet to be determined.

scholarly journals Long range synchronization within the enteric nervous system underlies propulsion along the large intestine in mice

2021 ◽  
Vol 4 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Nick J. Spencer ◽  
Lee Travis ◽  
Lukasz Wiklendt ◽  
Marcello Costa ◽  
Timothy J. Hibberd ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Nervous System ◽  
Smooth Muscle ◽  
Enteric Nervous System ◽  
Lymphatic Vessels ◽  
Distal Colon ◽  
Distal Region ◽  
Proximal Colon ◽  
Synchronous Firing ◽  
Electrophysiological Recordings ◽  
Intrinsic Neurons

AbstractHow the Enteric Nervous System (ENS) coordinates propulsion of content along the gastrointestinal (GI)-tract has been a major unresolved issue. We reveal a mechanism that explains how ENS activity underlies propulsion of content along the colon. We used a recently developed high-resolution video imaging approach with concurrent electrophysiological recordings from smooth muscle, during fluid propulsion. Recordings showed pulsatile firing of excitatory and inhibitory neuromuscular inputs not only in proximal colon, but also distal colon, long before the propagating contraction invades the distal region. During propulsion, wavelet analysis revealed increased coherence at ~2 Hz over large distances between the proximal and distal regions. Therefore, during propulsion, synchronous firing of descending inhibitory nerve pathways over long ranges aborally acts to suppress smooth muscle from contracting, counteracting the excitatory nerve pathways over this same region of colon. This delays muscle contraction downstream, ahead of the advancing contraction. The mechanism identified is more complex than expected and vastly different from fluid propulsion along other hollow smooth muscle organs; like lymphatic vessels, portal vein, or ureters, that evolved without intrinsic neurons.

scholarly journals Long-term effectiveness of faecal immunochemical test screening for proximal and distal colorectal cancers

Gut ◽  
2021 ◽  
pp. gutjnl-2020-322545
Author(s):  
Han-Mo Chiu ◽  
Grace Hsiao-Hsuan Jen ◽  
Ying-Wei Wang ◽  
Jean Ching-Yuan Fann ◽  
Chen-Yang Hsu ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Large Scale ◽  
Distal Colon ◽  
Population Based ◽  
Proximal Colon ◽  
Advanced Stage ◽  
Site Specific ◽  
Faecal Immunochemical Test ◽  
Immunochemical Test ◽  
Selection Factors

ObjectiveTo measure the effects of faecal immunochemical test (FIT) for colorectal cancer (CRC) screening on overall and site-specific long-term effectiveness of population-based organised service screening.DesignA prospective cohort study of Taiwanese nationwide biennial FIT screening was performed. A total of 5 417 699 eligible subjects were invited to attend screening from 2004 through 2009 and were followed up until 2014. We estimated the adjusted relative rates (aRRs) on the effectiveness of reducing advanced-stage CRC (stage II+) and CRC death by Bayesian Poisson regression models with the full adjustment for a cascade of self-selection factors (including the screening rate and the colonoscopy rate) and the completeness of colonoscopy together with demographic features.ResultsFIT screening (exposed vs unexposed) reduced the incidence of advanced-stage CRC (48.4 vs 75.7 per 100 000) and mortality (20.3 vs 41.3 per 100 000). Statistically significant reductions of both incidence of advanced-stage CRCs (aRR=0.66, 95% CI 0.63 to 0.70) and deaths from CRC (aRR=0.60, 95% CI 0.57 to 0.64) were noted. FIT screening was more effective in reducing distal advanced-stage CRCs (aRR=0.61, 95% CI 0.58 to 0.64) and CRC mortality (aRR=0.56, 95% CI 0.53 to 0.69) than proximal advanced CRCs (aRR=0.84, 95% CI 0.77 to 0.92) and CRC mortality (aRR=0.72, 95% CI 0.66 to 0.80).ConclusionA large-scale population-based biennial FIT screening demonstrates 34% significant reduction of advanced-stage CRCs and 40% reduction of death from CRC with larger long-term effectiveness in the distal colon than the proximal colon. Our findings provide a strong and consistent evidence-based policy for supporting a sustainable population-based FIT organised service screening worldwide. The disparity of site-specific long-term effectiveness also provides an insight into the remedy for lower effectiveness of FIT screening in the proximal colon.

scholarly journals (Na+ + K+)-ATPase and plasma membrane polarity of intestinal epithelial cells: presence of a brush border antigen in the distal large intestine that is immunologically related to beta subunit.

1989 ◽  
Vol 109 (3) ◽  
pp. 1057-1069 ◽  
Author(s):  
A Marxer ◽  
B Stieger ◽  
A Quaroni ◽  
M Kashgarian ◽  
H P Hauri
Keyword(s):  
Monoclonal Antibody ◽  
Small Intestine ◽  
Epithelial Cells ◽  
Brush Border ◽  
Basolateral Membrane ◽  
Apical Cell ◽  
Distal Colon ◽  
Proximal Colon ◽  
Beta Subunit ◽  
Cell Pole

The previously produced monoclonal antibody IEC 1/48 against cultured rat intestinal crypt cells (Quaroni, A., and K. J. Isselbacher. 1981. J. Natl. Cancer Inst. 67:1353-1362) was extensively characterized and found to be directed against the beta subunit of (Na+ + K+)-ATPase as assessed by immunological and enzymatic criteria. Under nondenaturing conditions the antibody precipitated the alpha-beta enzyme complex (98,000 and 48,000 Mr). This probe, together with the monoclonal antibody C 62.4 against the alpha subunit (Kashgarian, M., D. Biemesderfer, M. Caplan, and B. Forbush. 1985. Kidney Int. 28:899-913), was used to localize (Na+ + K+)-ATPase in epithelial cells along the rat intestinal tract by immunofluorescence and immunoelectron microscopy. Both antibodies exclusively labeled the basolateral membrane of small intestine and proximal colon epithelial cells. However, in the distal colon, IEC 1/48, but not C 62.4, also labeled the brush border membrane. The cross-reacting beta-subunit-like antigen on the apical cell pole was tightly associated with isolated brush borders but was apparently devoid of (Na+ + K+)-ATPase activity. Subcellular fractionation of colonocytes in conjunction with limited proteolysis and surface radioiodination of intestinal segments suggested that the cross-reacting antigen in the brush border may be very similar to the beta subunit. The results support the notion that in the small intestine and proximal colon the enzyme subunits are exclusively targeted to the basolateral membrane while in the distal colon nonassembled beta subunit or a beta-subunit-like protein is also transported to the apical cell pole.

Luminally released serotonin stimulates colonic motility and accelerates colonic transit in rats

2007 ◽  
Vol 293 (1) ◽  
pp. R64-R69 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kiyoshi Tsukamoto ◽  
Hajime Ariga ◽  
Chris Mantyh ◽  
Theodore N. Pappas ◽  
Hidenori Yanagi ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Ex Vivo ◽  
Colonic Motility ◽  
Physiological Role ◽  
Distal Colon ◽  
Proximal Colon ◽  
Colonic Transit ◽  
Intraluminal Pressure ◽  
Ex Vivo Model ◽  
Colon Tissue ◽  
Ec Cells

Enterochromaffin (EC) cells of the epithelial cells release 5-HT into the lumen, as well as basolateral border. However, the physiological role of released 5-HT into the lumen is poorly understood. Concentrations of 5-HT in the colonic mucosa, colonic lumen, and feces were measured by HPLC in rats. To investigate whether intraluminal 5-HT accelerates colonic transit, 5-HT and 51Cr were administered into the lumen of the proximal colon, and colonic transit was measured. To investigate whether 5-HT is released into the lumen, we used an ex vivo model of isolated vascularly and luminally perfused rat proximal colon. To investigate whether luminal 5-HT is involved in regulating stress-induced colonic motility, the distal colonic motility was recorded under the stress loading, and a 5-HT3 receptor antagonist (ondansetron, 10−6 M, 0.5 ml) was administered intraluminally of the distal colon. Tissue content of 5-HT in the proximal colon (15.2 ± 4.3 ng/mg wet tissue) was significantly higher than that in the distal colon (3.3 ± 0.7 ng/mg wet tissue), while fecal content and luminal concentration of 5-HT was almost the same between the proximal and distal colon. Luminal administration of 5-HT (10−6–10−5 M) significantly accelerated colonic transit. Elevation of intraluminal pressure by 10 cmH2O significantly increased the luminal concentration of 5-HT but not the vascular concentration of 5-HT. Stress-induced stimulation of the distal colonic motility was significantly attenuated by the luminal administration of ondansetron. These results suggest that luminally released 5-HT from EC cells plays an important role in regulating colonic motility in rats.

Diversity of neurogenic smooth muscle electrical rhythmicity in mouse proximal colon

2020 ◽  
Vol 318 (2) ◽  
pp. G244-G253 ◽  
Author(s):  
Nick J. Spencer ◽  
Lee Travis ◽  
Lukasz Wiklendt ◽  
Timothy J. Hibberd ◽  
Marcello Costa ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Nervous System ◽  
Smooth Muscle ◽  
Enteric Nervous System ◽  
Extracellular Recording ◽  
Proximal Colon ◽  
Proximal Region ◽  
Muscle Membrane ◽  
Mouse Colon ◽  
Cross Correlation Analysis

The mechanisms underlying electrical rhythmicity in smooth muscle of the proximal colon are incompletely understood. Our aim was to identify patterns of electrical rhythmicity in smooth muscle of the proximal region of isolated whole mouse colon and characterize their mechanisms of origin. Two independent extracellular recording electrodes were used to record the patterns of electrical activity in smooth muscle of the proximal region of whole isolated mouse colon. Cross-correlation analysis was used to quantify spatial coordination of these electrical activities over increasing electrode separation distances. Four distinct neurogenic patterns of electrical rhythmicity were identified in smooth muscle of the proximal colon, three of which have not been identified and consisted of bursts of rhythmic action potentials at 1–2 Hz that were abolished by hexamethonium. These neurogenic patterns of electrical rhythmicity in smooth muscle were spatially and temporally synchronized over large separation distances (≥2 mm rosto-caudal axis). Myogenic slow waves could be recorded from the same preparations, but they showed poor spatial and temporal coordination over even short distances (≤1 mm rostro-caudal axis). It is not commonly thought that electrical rhythmicity in gastrointestinal smooth muscle is dependent upon the enteric nervous system. Here, we identified neurogenic patterns of electrical rhythmicity in smooth muscle of the proximal region of isolated mouse colon, which are dependent on synaptic transmission in the enteric nervous system. If the whole colon is studied in vitro, recordings can preserve novel neurogenic patterns of electrical rhythmicity in smooth muscle. NEW & NOTEWORTHY Previously, it has not often been thought that electrical rhythmicity in smooth muscle of the gastrointestinal tract is dependent upon the enteric nervous system. We identified patterns of electrical rhythmicity in smooth muscle of the mouse proximal colon that were abolished by hexamethonium and involved the temporal synchronization of smooth muscle membrane potential over large spatial fields. We reveal different patterns of electrical rhythmicity in colonic smooth muscle that are dependent on the ENS.

Neuroimmune signaling in regulation of intestinal ion transport

1994 ◽  
Vol 266 (2) ◽  
pp. G167-G178 ◽  
Author(s):  
H. J. Cooke
Keyword(s):  
Nervous System ◽  
Immune System ◽  
Epithelial Cells ◽  
Enteric Nervous System ◽  
Inflammatory Mediators ◽  
Neural Circuits ◽  
Selective Excitation ◽  
Response Threshold ◽  
Complex Interactions ◽  
Intestinal Ion Transport

Complex interactions between the enteric nervous system, the immune system, and the epithelium govern the transport rates of salt and water across the intestinal lining. Luminal antigens or bacterial products are detected by the immune system, which triggers a cascade of events associated with the release of inflammatory mediators. These mediators, by lowering the response threshold for transmission in some neural circuits, augment ongoing neural reflexes that promote secretion. Associated with these effects is a dampening of responses in other neural circuits innervating the mucosal effectors. Selective excitation and inhibition of the neural reflex circuitry coupled with direct actions of inflammatory mediators on epithelial cells result in stereotypical motility and secretory patterns that are characterized by strong muscular contractions, copious secretion, and diarrhea.

scholarly journals Localisation and activation of the neurokinin 1 receptor in the enteric nervous system of the mouse distal colon

2014 ◽  
Vol 356 (2) ◽  
pp. 319-332 ◽  
Author(s):  
Juan-Carlos Pelayo ◽  
Nicholas A. Veldhuis ◽  
Emily M. Eriksson ◽  
Nigel W. Bunnett ◽  
Daniel P. Poole
Keyword(s):  
Nervous System ◽  
Enteric Nervous System ◽  
Distal Colon ◽  
Neurokinin 1 Receptor ◽  
Neurokinin 1
Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document