Fresh perspectives on how to build, maintain and repair the ENS

Werend Boesmans*

*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Contribution to journalArticleAcademicpeer-review

Abstract

Enteric nervous system function is essential for survival. Studies published in 2023 have provided important novel insights into the mechanisms that regulate its development and maintenance, and demonstrate how it can be restored when these mechanisms fail.Enteric neuron differentiation trajectories branch off a fundamental gliogenic axis and mature enteric glia preserve the neurogenic properties of early enteric nervous system (ENS) progenitors5.Muscularis macrophages associated with the myenteric plexus transition from an active phagocytic profile during early postnatal stages to an ENS-protective phenotype in the adult gut8.Vagal and sacral neural crest precursors derived from human pluripotent stem cells generate distinct enteric neuron subtypes, exhibit different migratory behaviours and, when combined, can rescue a severe mouse model of Hirschsprung disease9.
Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)82-83
Number of pages2
JournalNature Reviews Gastroenterology & Hepatology
Volume21
Issue number2
Early online dateNov 2023
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - Feb 2024

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