Role of enteric glia in the death of neurons during gut inflammation

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 DESCRIPTION (provided by applicant): Reflex behaviors of the intestine including peristalsis are orchestrated by the enteric nervous system (ENS); a complex neural network embedded in the gut wall. Inflammation profoundly alters ENS circuits controlling motility by promoting enteric ganglionitis; an inflammatory neuropathy characterized by the death of enteric neurons. Neuropathy is increasingly recognized as a trigger for persistent gut dysfunction in gastrointestinal (GI) motility and functional bowel disorders but the mechanisms that regulate neuropathy are not understood. This proposal investigates the role of enteric glial cells, astrocyte-like cells that surround neurons in the ENS, in the regulation of enteric neuropathy. The proposed studies will use in vivo models of GI inflammation, transgenic mice, immunohistochemistry, live-cell imaging with fluorescent probes, biosensing assays and functional tests to study neuron-glia interactions. The central hypothesis is that purinergic activation of enteric glial cells differentially regulates neuron survival depending on glial activation by ADP or adenosine. There are 2 specific aims in this proposal, each with three sub-aims. Each aim will link in vitro mechanistic studies in tissue from humans and mice with in vivo functional studies in transgenic mice. Aim 1 will test the hypothesis that glial Ca2+ responses driven by ADP cause reactive gliosis, neuron death and gut dysfunction. Specific aim 1A will test how activation of glial Ca2+ responses in GFAP:hM3Dq mice or human tissue transduced with glial- specific vectors affects the induction of reactive gliosis and neuron death. Aim 1B wil test whether glial cells directly drive neuron death by releasing neurotoxic substances or if glial driven neuron death requires immune cell recruitment. Mice with an inducible ablation of connexin-43 or MHC-II in glia will be used to specifically interfere with gliotransmitter release o immune cell recruitment, respectively. Aim 1C will test how manipulation of gliosis using the transgenic mice listed above affects in vivo and ex vivo intestinal function. Aim 2 will test the hypothesis that adenosine inhibits reactive gliosis and stimulates protective mechanisms in glia to preserve ENS function. Aim 2A will use drugs and CD73 null mice to test if activation of glial adenosine receptors is necessary and/or sufficient to reverse reactive gliosis. Aim 2B will test whether the neuroprotective actions of glial A2BR activation are mediated by altering the release of glial mediators or by decreasing the inflammatory infiltrate following in vivo inflammation in CD73 null mice. Aim 2C will use in vivo inflammation, drugs and CD73 null mice to determine how manipulation of glial adenosine signaling impacts in vivo and ex vivo assays of gut function following acute inflammation. Significance: Intestinal inflammation can drive enteric neuropathy, leading to persistent gut dysfunction in GI motility disorders. Understanding how glial mechanisms both promote, and limit enteric neuropathies is important because it could lead to the discovery of novel therapeutic targets and a common causative mechanism of neuron death in GI motility disorders, functional bowel disorders and inflammatory bowel disease.