The Role of Astroglia in the Enteric Nervous System and Gut Function

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Abstract The enteric nervous system (ENS) resides in the gut wall and controls physiology of the alimentary tract. The majority of the ENS is composed of enteric glial cells (EGCs), which have been linked to a wide range of gut pathologies, e.g., inflammatory bowel disease, necrotizing enterocolitis and "idiopathic" constipation. Our preliminary data point to a novel hypothesis that EGCs support normal gut function through their cell-cell connectivity established via connexin 43; the down regulation of Cx43 leads to inflammatory morphological changes and reduced motility of the gut. To test this hypothesis we will use an innovative molecular genetics approach integrated with histology, fiber-optic colonoscopy, GI transit tests in vivo, and an ex vivo imaging method of an isolated colon. This proposed investigation will gather valuable information on the novel role of Cx43 in the function of the gut and ENS. These findings will be of general interest to neurobiology. Additionally, the findings will be relevant to translational medicine, since they could open the door for the development of a cause-directed treatment for constipation and various inflammatory bowel diseases. These potential new opportunities for intervention could greatly improve clinical practice in gastroenterology by increasing the survival rate of neonatal patients suffering from necrotizing enterocolitis and substantially improve the quality of life and survival in the other ENS/EGC related gut pathologies.