Origins, migration and differentiation of glial cells in the insect enteric nervous system from a discrete set of glial precursors

Development ◽  
1993 ◽  
Vol 117 (1) ◽  
pp. 59-74 ◽  
Author(s):  
P. F. Copenhaver
Keyword(s):  
Nervous System ◽  
Enteric Nervous System ◽  
Glial Cells ◽  
Neuronal Migration ◽  
Extended Period ◽  
Enteric Neurons ◽  
Distinct Population ◽  
Enteric Ganglia ◽  
Enteric Glial Cells ◽  
Enteric Plexus

The enteric nervous system (ENS) of the moth, Manduca sexta, consists of two primary cellular domains and their associated nerves. The neurons of the anterior domain occupy two small peripheral ganglia (the frontal and hypocerebral ganglia), while a second population of neurons occupies a branching nerve plexus (the enteric plexus) that spans the foregut-midgut boundary. Previously, we have shown these two regions arise by separate programs of neurogenesis: cells that form the anterior enteric ganglia are generated from three discrete proliferative zones that differentiate within the foregut epithelium. In contrast, the cells of the enteric plexus (the EP cells) emerge from a neurogenic placode within the posterior lip of the foregut. Both sets of neurons subsequently undergo an extended period of migration and reorganization to achieve their mature distributions. We now show that prior to the completion of neurogenesis, an additional class of precursor cells is generated from the three proliferative zones of the foregut. Coincident with the onset of neuronal migration, this precursor class enters a phase of enhanced mitotic activity, giving rise to a population of cells that continue to divide as the ENS matures. Using clonal analyses of individual precursors, we demonstrate that the progeny of these cells become distributed along the same pathways taken by the migratory neurons; subsequently, they contribute to an ensheathing layer around the branches of the enteric plexus and the enteric ganglia. We conclude that this additional precursor class, which shares a common developmental origin with the enteric neurons, gives rise to a distinct population of peripheral glial cells. Moreover, the distribution of enteric glial cells is achieved by their migration and differentiation along the same pathways that are formed during the preceding phases of neuronal migration.

scholarly journals Development, Diversity, and Neurogenic Capacity of Enteric Glia

2022 ◽  
Vol 9 ◽  
Author(s):  
Werend Boesmans ◽  
Amelia Nash ◽  
Kinga R. Tasnády ◽  
Wendy Yang ◽  
Lincon A. Stamp ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Nervous System ◽  
Enteric Nervous System ◽  
Glial Cells ◽  
Cell Types ◽  
Vital Role ◽  
Enteric Neurons ◽  
Enteric Glia ◽  
Enteric Glial Cells ◽  
Functional Versatility

Enteric glia are a fascinating population of cells. Initially identified in the gut wall as the “support” cells of the enteric nervous system, studies over the past 20 years have unveiled a vast array of functions carried out by enteric glia. They mediate enteric nervous system signalling and play a vital role in the local regulation of gut functions. Enteric glial cells interact with other gastrointestinal cell types such as those of the epithelium and immune system to preserve homeostasis, and are perceptive to luminal content. Their functional versatility and phenotypic heterogeneity are mirrored by an extensive level of plasticity, illustrated by their reactivity in conditions associated with enteric nervous system dysfunction and disease. As one of the hallmarks of their plasticity and extending their operative relationship with enteric neurons, enteric glia also display neurogenic potential. In this review, we focus on the development of enteric glial cells, and the mechanisms behind their heterogeneity in the adult gut. In addition, we discuss what is currently known about the role of enteric glia as neural precursors in the enteric nervous system.

scholarly journals Integrated single-cell analysis of enteric glial cells reveals a molecular basis for postnatal neurogenesis and its therapeutic application

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Richard A Guyer ◽  
Sukhada Bhave ◽  
Rhian Stavely ◽  
Ryo Hotta ◽  
Nicole Bousquet ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Nervous System ◽  
Stem Cell ◽  
Enteric Nervous System ◽  
Single Cell ◽  
Neural Stem Cell ◽  
Glial Cells ◽  
Three Dimensional ◽  
Enteric Neurons ◽  
Open Chromatin ◽  
Enteric Glial Cells

Traditional models posit that enteric neurons and glial cells represent distinct terminal lineages derived from a common neural crest precursor. This model, however, does not explain the neurogenic capability of murine postnatal enteric glial cells. To characterize the full diversity of myenteric glial cells and identify a basis for the glial-to-neuronal transition, which we demonstrate using a two-marker system, we applied single-cell RNA sequencing and single-nucleus ATAC sequencing to generate a multiomic atlas of Plp1-expressing glial cells from the small intestine of adolescent mice. We identify nine transcriptionally distinct subpopulations of enteric glial cells, including cells expressing both canonical neural stem cell genes and enteric neuronal transcriptional factors. We refer to these Plp1-positive cells with neural stem cell features as glial neuroblasts. Surprisingly, most glial cells maintain open chromatin at neuronal-associated loci, suggesting enteric glia are primed for neuronal transition. Comparison with the developing embryonic enteric nervous system shows postnatal glial cells maintain a transcriptional program closely matching embryonic neuronal progenitors. Transcription factor motif enrichment analysis and regulon analysis implicate AP-1 transcription factors in maintaining the glial neuroblast gene program. Three-dimensional cultures of postnatal enteric nervous system cells, which are enriched for glial neuroblasts and provide a niche for neuronal development, recapitulate the transcriptional changes seen during embryonic enteric neurogenesis. snATAC analysis shows chromatin closing consistent with terminal differentiation as glial cells become neurons in three-dimensional culture. In conclusion, postnatal myenteric glial cells include a neuroblast population and maintain a chromatin structure primed for neuronal fate acquisition.

In ovo transplantation of enteric nervous system precursors from vagal to sacral neural crest results in extensive hindgut colonisation

Development ◽  
2002 ◽  
Vol 129 (12) ◽  
pp. 2785-2796 ◽  
Author(s):  
Alan J. Burns ◽  
Jean-Marie M. Delalande ◽  
Nicole M. Le Douarin
Keyword(s):  
Nervous System ◽  
Neural Crest ◽  
Enteric Nervous System ◽  
Enteric Neurons ◽  
In Ovo ◽  
Neuronal Marker ◽  
Sacral Region ◽  
Enteric Ganglia ◽  
Migration Front ◽  
Sacral Neural Crest

The enteric nervous system (ENS) is derived from vagal and sacral neural crest cells (NCC). Within the embryonic avian gut, vagal NCC migrate in a rostrocaudal direction to form the majority of neurons and glia along the entire length of the gastrointestinal tract, whereas sacral NCC migrate in an opposing caudorostral direction, initially forming the nerve of Remak, and contribute a smaller number of ENS cells primarily to the distal hindgut. In this study, we have investigated the ability of vagal NCC, transplanted to the sacral region of the neuraxis, to colonise the chick hindgut and form the ENS in an experimentally generated hypoganglionic hindgut in ovo model. Results showed that when the vagal NC was transplanted into the sacral region of the neuraxis, vagal-derived ENS precursors immediately migrated away from the neural tube along characteristic pathways, with numerous cells colonising the gut mesenchyme by embryonic day (E) 4. By E7, the colorectum was extensively colonised by transplanted vagal NCC and the migration front had advanced caudorostrally to the level of the umbilicus. By E10, the stage at which sacral NCC begin to colonise the hindgut in large numbers, myenteric and submucosal plexuses in the hindgut almost entirely composed of transplanted vagal NCC, while the migration front had progressed into the pre-umbilical intestine, midway between the stomach and umbilicus. Immunohistochemical staining with the pan-neuronal marker, ANNA-1, revealed that the transplanted vagal NCC differentiated into enteric neurons, and whole-mount staining with NADPH-diaphorase showed that myenteric and submucosal ganglia formed interconnecting plexuses, similar to control animals. Furthermore, using an anti-RET antibody, widespread immunostaining was observed throughout the ENS, within a subpopulation of sacral NC-derived ENS precursors, and in the majority of transplanted vagal-to-sacral NCC. Our results demonstrate that: (1) a cell autonomous difference exists between the migration/signalling mechanisms used by sacral and vagal NCC, as transplanted vagal cells migrated along pathways normally followed by sacral cells, but did so in much larger numbers, earlier in development; (2) vagal NCC transplanted into the sacral neuraxis extensively colonised the hindgut, migrated in a caudorostral direction, differentiated into neuronal phenotypes, and formed enteric plexuses; (3) RET immunostaining occurred in vagal crest-derived ENS cells, the nerve of Remak and a subpopulation of sacral NCC within hindgut enteric ganglia.

scholarly journals Changes in Immunoreactivity of Sensory Substances within the Enteric Nervous System of the Porcine Stomach during Experimentally Induced Diabetes

2018 ◽  
Vol 2018 ◽  
pp. 1-18 ◽  
Author(s):  
Michał Bulc ◽  
Katarzyna Palus ◽  
Jarosław Całka ◽  
Łukasz Zielonka
Keyword(s):  
Nervous System ◽  
Enteric Nervous System ◽  
Porcine Model ◽  
Enteric Neurons ◽  
Submucosal Plexus ◽  
Chemical Coding ◽  
Chemically Induced ◽  
Calcitonin Gene ◽  
Enteric Plexus ◽  
Clear Increase

One of the most frequently reported disorders associated with diabetes is gastrointestinal (GI) disturbance. Although pathogenesis of these complications is multifactorial, the complicity of the enteric nervous system (ENS) in this respect has significant importance. Therefore, this paper analysed changes in substance P- (SP-), calcitonin gene-related peptide- (CGRP-), and leu5-enkephalin- (L-ENK-) like immunoreactivity (LI) in enteric stomach neurons caused by chemically induced diabetes in a porcine model. Using double immunofluorescent labelling, it was found that acute hyperglycaemia led to significant changes in the chemical coding of stomach enteric neurons. Generally, the response to artificially inducted diabetes depended on the “kind” of enteric plexus as well as the stomach region studied. A clear increase in the percentage of neurons immunoreactive to SP and CGRP was visible in the myenteric plexus (MP) in the antrum, corpus, and pylorus as well as in the submucosal plexus (SmP) in the corpus. For L-ENK, an increase in the number of L-ENK-LI neurons was observed in the MP of the antrum and SmP in the corpus, while in the MP of the corpus and pylorus, a decrease in the percentage of L-ENK-LI neurons was noted.

scholarly journals Immunohistochemical and ultrastructural analysis of the maturing larval zebrafish enteric nervous system reveals the formation of a neuropil pattern

2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
Phillip A. Baker ◽  
Matthew D. Meyer ◽  
Ashley Tsang ◽  
Rosa A. Uribe
Keyword(s):  
Nervous System ◽  
Enteric Nervous System ◽  
Glial Cells ◽  
Myenteric Plexus ◽  
Larval Fish ◽  
Intestinal Barrier ◽  
Stem Cell Population ◽  
Functional Studies ◽  
Larval Stages ◽  
Enteric Ganglia

AbstractThe gastrointestinal tract is constructed with an intrinsic series of interconnected ganglia that span its entire length, called the enteric nervous system (ENS). The ENS exerts critical local reflex control over many essential gut functions; including peristalsis, water balance, hormone secretions and intestinal barrier homeostasis. ENS ganglia exist as a collection of neurons and glia that are arranged in a series of plexuses throughout the gut: the myenteric plexus and submucosal plexus. While it is known that enteric ganglia are derived from a stem cell population called the neural crest, mechanisms that dictate final neuropil plexus organization remain obscure. Recently, the vertebrate animal, zebrafish, has emerged as a useful model to understand ENS development, however knowledge of its developing myenteric plexus architecture was unknown. Here, we examine myenteric plexus of the maturing zebrafish larval fish histologically over time and find that it consists of a series of tight axon layers and long glial cell processes that wrap the circumference of the gut tube to completely encapsulate it, along all levels of the gut. By late larval stages, complexity of the myenteric plexus increases such that a layer of axons is juxtaposed to concentric layers of glial cells. Ultrastructurally, glial cells contain glial filaments and make intimate contacts with one another in long, thread-like projections. Conserved indicators of vesicular axon profiles are readily abundant throughout the larval plexus neuropil. Together, these data extend our understanding of myenteric plexus architecture in maturing zebrafish, thereby enabling functional studies of its formation in the future.

scholarly journals New Insights into c-Ret Signalling Pathway in the Enteric Nervous System and Its Relationship with ALS

2014 ◽  
Vol 2014 ◽  
pp. 1-7 ◽  
Author(s):  
M. J. Luesma ◽  
I. Cantarero ◽  
J. M. Álvarez-Dotu ◽  
S. Santander ◽  
C. Junquera
Keyword(s):  
Nervous System ◽  
Enteric Nervous System ◽  
Motor Neurons ◽  
Cellular Localization ◽  
Neurological Diseases ◽  
Enteric Neurons ◽  
Human Gut ◽  
Tyrosine Residues ◽  
Enteric Ganglia ◽  
Lateral Sclerosis

The receptor tyrosine kinase Ret (c-Ret) transduces the glial cell line-derived neurotrophic factor (GDNF) signal, one of the neurotrophic factors related to the degeneration process or the regeneration activity of motor neurons in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). The phosphorylation of several tyrosine residues of c-Ret seems to be altered in ALS. c-Ret is expressed in motor neurons and in the enteric nervous system (ENS) during the embryonic period. The characteristics of the ENS allow using it as model for central nervous system (CNS) study and being potentially useful for the research of human neurological diseases such as ALS. The aim of the present study was to investigate the cellular localization and quantitative evaluation of marker c-Ret in the adult human gut. To assess the nature of c-Ret positive cells, we performed colocalization with specific markers of cells that typically are located in the enteric ganglia. The colocalization of PGP9.5 and c-Ret was preferentially intense in enteric neurons with oval morphology and mostly peripherally localized in the ganglion, so we concluded that the c-Ret receptor is expressed by a specific subtype of enteric neurons in the mature human ENS of the gut. The functional significance of these c-Ret positive neurons is discussed.

scholarly journals Interleukin-6 expression and regulation in rat enteric glial cells

2001 ◽  
Vol 280 (6) ◽  
pp. G1163-G1171 ◽  
Author(s):  
A. Rühl ◽  
S. Franzke ◽  
S. M. Collins ◽  
W. Stremmel
Keyword(s):  
Nervous System ◽  
Enteric Nervous System ◽  
Mrna Expression ◽  
Glial Cells ◽  
Myenteric Plexus ◽  
Cultured Cells ◽  
Adult Rats ◽  
Enteric Glial Cells ◽  
Tnf Α ◽  
Necrosis Factor

As yet, little is known about the function of the glia of the enteric nervous system (ENS), particularly in an immune-stimulated environment. This prompted us to study the potential of cultured enteroglial cells for cytokine synthesis and secretion. Jejunal myenteric plexus preparations from adult rats were enzymatically dissociated, and enteroglial cells were purified by complement-mediated cytolysis and grown in tissue culture. Cultured cells were stimulated with recombinant rat interleukin (IL)-1β, IL-6, and tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α, and IL-6 mRNA expression and secretion were assessed using RT-PCR and a bioassay, respectively. Stimulation with TNF-α did not affect IL-6 mRNA expression, whereas IL-1β stimulated IL-6 mRNA and protein synthesis in a time- and concentration-dependent fashion. In contrast, IL-6 significantly and dose-dependently suppressed IL-6 mRNA expression. In summary, we have presented evidence that enteric glial cells are a potential source of IL-6 in the myenteric plexus and that cytokine production by enteric glial cells can be regulated by cytokines. These findings strongly support the contention that enteric glial cells act as immunomodulatory cells in the enteric nervous system.

scholarly journals Homeostasis of mucosal glial cells in human gut is independent of microbiota

2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Timna Inlender ◽  
Einat Nissim-Eliraz ◽  
Rhian Stavely ◽  
Ryo Hotta ◽  
Allan M. Goldstein ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Gene Expression ◽  
Nervous System ◽  
Enteric Nervous System ◽  
Single Cell ◽  
Postnatal Development ◽  
Glial Cells ◽  
Human Gut ◽  
Enteric Glial Cells ◽  
Developmental Dynamics ◽  
Human And Mouse

AbstractIn mammals, neural crest cells populate the gut and form the enteric nervous system (ENS) early in embryogenesis. Although the basic ENS structure is highly conserved across species, we show important differences between mice and humans relating to the prenatal and postnatal development of mucosal enteric glial cells (mEGC), which are essential ENS components. We confirm previous work showing that in the mouse mEGCs are absent at birth, and that their appearance and homeostasis depends on postnatal colonization by microbiota. In humans, by contrast, a network of glial cells is already present in the fetal gut. Moreover, in xenografts of human fetal gut maintained for months in immuno-compromised mice, mEGCs persist following treatment with antibiotics that lead to the disappearance of mEGCs from the gut of the murine host. Single cell RNAseq indicates that human and mouse mEGCs differ not only in their developmental dynamics, but also in their patterns of gene expression.

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