Development, Diversity, and Neurogenic Capacity of Enteric Glia

Abstract

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.

Intestinal Region-Dependent Alterations of Toll-Like Receptor 4 Expression in Myenteric Neurons of Type 1 Diabetic Rats

“…Chronic hyperglycemia itself and its harmful/protective mechanisms influence neuronal survival in myriad ways [6,40,41]. Besides neuronal death, adult neurogenesis also influences the total enteric neuronal number and the ratio of the different subpopulations (e.g., nitrergic, cholinergic) of the enteric neurons [39,42]. Anitha et al [37] reported that the lack of TLR4 is associated with reduced gastrointestinal motility, and found that these motility problems were caused by damage to the enteric neurons and not the muscle.…”

Nerves in gastrointestinal cancer: from mechanism to modulations

“…However, these findings need more in-depth investigation, particularly in the context of gastrointestinal cancers. In fact, as the cancerous gastrointestinal tract contains cells with neurogenic potential 103 , future studies need to define whether they contribute to neoneurogenesis in gastrointestinal cancers.…”

Enteric Glial Cells in Immunological Disorders of the Gut

“…the ENS neurons is precisely controlled. For additional information on the ENS development, several recent reviews are available for reference (Lake and Heuckeroth, 2013 ; Rao and Gershon, 2018 ; Boesmans et al, 2021 ).…”