The gut brain in a dish: Murine primary enteric nervous system cell cultures

Simone L. Schonkeren, Tara T. Kuthe, Musa Idris, Ana C. Bon-Frauches, Werend Boesmans, Veerle Melotte*

*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Contribution to journal(Systematic) Review article peer-review

Abstract

Background The enteric nervous system (ENS) is an extensive neural network embedded in the wall of the gastrointestinal tract that regulates digestive function and gastrointestinal homeostasis. The ENS consists of two main cell types; enteric neurons and enteric glial cells. In vitro techniques allow simplified investigation of ENS function, and different culture methods have been developed over the years helping to understand the role of ENS cells in health and disease. Purpose This review focuses on summarizing and comparing available culture protocols for the generation of primary ENS cells from adult mice, including dissection of intestinal segments, enzymatic digestions, surface coatings, and culture media. In addition, the potential of human ENS cultures is also discussed.

Original languageEnglish
Article number14215
Number of pages16
JournalNeurogastroenterology and Motility
Volume34
Issue number2
Early online date8 Jul 2021
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - Feb 2022

Keywords

  • adult mouse
  • enteric glial cells
  • enteric neurons
  • primary ENS culture
  • protocol
  • PLURIPOTENT STEM-CELLS
  • NEURAL CREST CELLS
  • GUINEA-PIG
  • MYENTERIC PLEXUS
  • GLIAL-CELLS
  • EXTRACELLULAR-MATRIX
  • MAST-CELL
  • NEURONS
  • MOUSE
  • DIFFERENTIATION

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