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He S, Wang J, Huang Y, Kong F, Yang R, Zhan Y, Li Z, Ye C, Meng L, Ren Y, Zhou Y, Chen G, Shen Z, Sun S, Zheng S, Dong R. Intestinal fibrosis in aganglionic segment of Hirschsprung's disease revealed by single-cell RNA sequencing. Clin Transl Med 2023; 13:e1193. [PMID: 36738110 PMCID: PMC9898741 DOI: 10.1002/ctm2.1193] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/23/2022] [Revised: 01/15/2023] [Accepted: 01/19/2023] [Indexed: 02/05/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Hirschsprung's disease (HSCR) is a relatively common congenital disability. Accumulating extracellular matrix (ECM) prompts intestinal fibrosis remodelling in the aganglionic segments of HSCR. The contributions of various cellular subsets in the fibrogenesis of HSCR segments are poorly understood. METHODS Single-cell transcriptomics from 8 aganglionic segments and 5 normal segments of 7 HSCR subjects and 26 healthy segments of seven healthy donors were analysed. Fibrotic phenotype and alterations were explored using differential expression analysis and single-cell trajectory analysis. Fibrosis-related transcription factors were inferred through single-cell regulatory network inference. Bulk transcriptomic data, proteomic data, immunohistochemistry (IHC) and real-time polymerase chain reaction were used to validate the alterations in the HSCR intestine. RESULTS Various collagen, fibronectin and laminin protein-coding genes expression were up-regulated in the stromal and glial cells of the HSCR intestine. The number of fibroblasts and myofibroblasts in the aganglionic segments increased, and more myofibroblasts were activated at an earlier stage in HSCR segments, which infers that there is an intestinal fibrosis phenotype in HSCR segments. The fibrotic regulators POSTN, ANXA1 and HSP70 were highly expressed in the ECM-related cellular subsets in the transitional segments and aganglionic segments. The transcription factor regulatory network revealed that fibrosis-related and megacolon-related NR2F1 in the fibroblasts and glial subsets was up-regulated in the aganglionic segment. CONCLUSIONS This work identifies intestinal fibrosis and related regulators in aganglionic segments of HSCR; hence, anti-fibrotic therapy may be considered to prevent HSCR-associated enterocolitis (HAEC), relieve intestinal stricture and improve cell therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shiwei He
- Department of Pediatric SurgeryShanghai Key Laboratory of Birth DefectChildren's Hospital of Fudan UniversityMinistry of HealthShanghaiChina
| | - Junfeng Wang
- Department of Pediatric SurgeryShanghai Key Laboratory of Birth DefectChildren's Hospital of Fudan UniversityMinistry of HealthShanghaiChina
| | - Yanlei Huang
- Department of Pediatric SurgeryShanghai Key Laboratory of Birth DefectChildren's Hospital of Fudan UniversityMinistry of HealthShanghaiChina
| | - Fanyang Kong
- Department of Pediatric SurgeryShanghai Key Laboratory of Birth DefectChildren's Hospital of Fudan UniversityMinistry of HealthShanghaiChina
| | - Ran Yang
- Department of Pediatric SurgeryShanghai Key Laboratory of Birth DefectChildren's Hospital of Fudan UniversityMinistry of HealthShanghaiChina
| | - Yong Zhan
- Department of Pediatric SurgeryShanghai Key Laboratory of Birth DefectChildren's Hospital of Fudan UniversityMinistry of HealthShanghaiChina
| | - Zifeng Li
- Department of Pediatric SurgeryShanghai Key Laboratory of Birth DefectChildren's Hospital of Fudan UniversityMinistry of HealthShanghaiChina
| | - Chunjing Ye
- Department of Pediatric SurgeryShanghai Key Laboratory of Birth DefectChildren's Hospital of Fudan UniversityMinistry of HealthShanghaiChina
| | - Lingdu Meng
- Department of Pediatric SurgeryShanghai Key Laboratory of Birth DefectChildren's Hospital of Fudan UniversityMinistry of HealthShanghaiChina
| | - Yankang Ren
- Department of Pediatric SurgeryShanghai Key Laboratory of Birth DefectChildren's Hospital of Fudan UniversityMinistry of HealthShanghaiChina
| | - Ying Zhou
- Department of Pediatric SurgeryShanghai Key Laboratory of Birth DefectChildren's Hospital of Fudan UniversityMinistry of HealthShanghaiChina
| | - Gong Chen
- Department of Pediatric SurgeryShanghai Key Laboratory of Birth DefectChildren's Hospital of Fudan UniversityMinistry of HealthShanghaiChina
| | - Zhen Shen
- Department of Pediatric SurgeryShanghai Key Laboratory of Birth DefectChildren's Hospital of Fudan UniversityMinistry of HealthShanghaiChina
| | - Song Sun
- Department of Pediatric SurgeryShanghai Key Laboratory of Birth DefectChildren's Hospital of Fudan UniversityMinistry of HealthShanghaiChina
| | - Shan Zheng
- Department of Pediatric SurgeryShanghai Key Laboratory of Birth DefectChildren's Hospital of Fudan UniversityMinistry of HealthShanghaiChina
| | - Rui Dong
- Department of Pediatric SurgeryShanghai Key Laboratory of Birth DefectChildren's Hospital of Fudan UniversityMinistry of HealthShanghaiChina
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Fan M, Shi H, Yao H, Wang W, Zhang Y, Jiang C, Lin R. BMSCs Promote Differentiation of Enteric Neural Precursor Cells to Maintain Neuronal Homeostasis in Mice With Enteric Nerve Injury. Cell Mol Gastroenterol Hepatol 2022; 15:511-531. [PMID: 36343901 PMCID: PMC9880979 DOI: 10.1016/j.jcmgh.2022.10.018] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/16/2021] [Revised: 10/26/2022] [Accepted: 10/26/2022] [Indexed: 11/06/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND & AIMS Our previous study showed that transplantation of bone marrow-derived mesenchymal stem cells (BMSCs) promoted functional enteric nerve regeneration in denervated mice but not through direct transdifferentiation. Homeostasis of the adult enteric nervous system (ENS) is maintained by enteric neural precursor cells (ENPCs). Whether ENPCs are a source of regenerated nerves in denervated mice remains unknown. METHODS Genetically engineered mice were used as recipients, and ENPCs were traced during enteric nerve regeneration. The mice were treated with benzalkonium chloride to establish a denervation model and then transplanted with BMSCs 3 days later. After 28 days, the gastric motility and ENS regeneration were analyzed. The interaction between BMSCs and ENPCs in vitro was further assessed. RESULTS Twenty-eight days after transplantation, gastric motility recovery (gastric emptying capacity, P < .01; gastric contractility, P < .01) and ENS regeneration (neurons, P < .01; glial cells, P < .001) were promoted in BMSCs transplantation groups compared with non-transplanted groups in denervated mice. More importantly, we found that ENPCs could differentiate into enteric neurons and glial cells in denervated mice after BMSCs transplantation, and the proportion of Nestin+/Ngfr+ cells differentiated into neurons was significantly higher than that of Nestin+ cells. A small number of BMSCs located in the myenteric plexus differentiated into glial cells. In vitro, glial cell-derived neurotrophic factor (GDNF) from BMSCs promotes the migration, proliferation, and differentiation of ENPCs. CONCLUSIONS In the case of enteric nerve injury, ENPCs can differentiate into enteric neurons and glial cells to promote ENS repair and gastric motility recovery after BMSCs transplantation. BMSCs expressing GDNF enhance the migration, proliferation, and differentiation of ENPCs.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | | | | | - Rong Lin
- Correspondence Address correspondence to: Rong Lin, MD, PhD, Department of Gastroenterology, Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan 430022, China.
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Hu XM, Zhang Q, Zhou RX, Wu YL, Li ZX, Zhang DY, Yang YC, Yang RH, Hu YJ, Xiong K. Programmed cell death in stem cell-based therapy: Mechanisms and clinical applications. World J Stem Cells 2021; 13:386-415. [PMID: 34136072 PMCID: PMC8176847 DOI: 10.4252/wjsc.v13.i5.386] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/26/2021] [Revised: 04/26/2021] [Accepted: 05/07/2021] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Stem cell-based therapy raises hopes for a better approach to promoting tissue repair and functional recovery. However, transplanted stem cells show a high death percentage, creating challenges to successful transplantation and prognosis. Thus, it is necessary to investigate the mechanisms underlying stem cell death, such as apoptotic cascade activation, excessive autophagy, inflammatory response, reactive oxygen species, excitotoxicity, and ischemia/hypoxia. Targeting the molecular pathways involved may be an efficient strategy to enhance stem cell viability and maximize transplantation success. Notably, a more complex network of cell death receives more attention than one crucial pathway in determining stem cell fate, highlighting the challenges in exploring mechanisms and therapeutic targets. In this review, we focus on programmed cell death in transplanted stem cells. We also discuss some promising strategies and challenges in promoting survival for further study.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xi-Min Hu
- Department of Anatomy and Neurobiology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Central South University, Changsha 410013, Hunan Province, China
- Department of Dermatology, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha 410013, Hunan Province, China
| | - Qi Zhang
- Department of Anatomy and Neurobiology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Central South University, Changsha 410013, Hunan Province, China
| | - Rui-Xin Zhou
- Department of Anatomy and Neurobiology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Central South University, Changsha 410013, Hunan Province, China
| | - Yan-Lin Wu
- Department of Anatomy and Neurobiology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Central South University, Changsha 410013, Hunan Province, China
| | - Zhi-Xin Li
- Department of Anatomy and Neurobiology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Central South University, Changsha 410013, Hunan Province, China
| | - Dan-Yi Zhang
- Department of Anatomy and Neurobiology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Central South University, Changsha 410013, Hunan Province, China
| | - Yi-Chao Yang
- Department of Anatomy and Neurobiology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Central South University, Changsha 410013, Hunan Province, China
| | - Rong-Hua Yang
- Department of Burns, Fo Shan Hospital of Sun Yat-Sen University, Foshan 528000, Guangdong Province, China
| | - Yong-Jun Hu
- Department of Cardiovascular Medicine, Hunan People's Hospital (the First Affiliated Hospital of Hunan Normal University, Changsha 410005, Hunan Province, China
| | - Kun Xiong
- Department of Anatomy and Neurobiology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Central South University, Changsha 410013, Hunan Province, China
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Yuan H, Hu H, Chen R, Mu W, Wang L, Li Y, Chen Y, Ding X, Xi Y, Mao S, Jiang M, Chen J, He Y, Wang L, Dong Y, Tou J, Chen W. Premigratory neural crest stem cells generate enteric neurons populating the mouse colon and regulating peristalsis in tissue-engineered intestine. Stem Cells Transl Med 2021; 10:922-938. [PMID: 33481357 PMCID: PMC8133337 DOI: 10.1002/sctm.20-0469] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/22/2020] [Revised: 12/26/2020] [Accepted: 01/03/2021] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Hirschsprung's disease (HSCR) is a common congenital defect. It occurs when bowel colonization by neural crest‐derived enteric nervous system (ENS) precursors is incomplete during the first trimester of pregnancy. Several sources of candidate cells have been previously studied for their capacity to regenerate the ENS, including enteric neural crest stem cells (En‐NCSCs) derived from native intestine or those simulated from human pluripotent stem cells (hPSCs). However, it is not yet known whether the native NCSCs other than En‐NCSCs would have the potential of regenerating functional enteric neurons and producing neuron dependent motility under the intestinal environment. The present study was designed to determine whether premigratory NCSCs (pNCSCs), as a type of the nonenteric NCSCs, could form enteric neurons and mediate the motility. pNCSCs were firstly transplanted into the colon of adult mice, and were found to survive, migrate, differentiate into enteric neurons, and successfully integrate into the adult mouse colon. When the mixture of pNCSCs and human intestinal organoids was implanted into the subrenal capsule of nude mice and grown into the mature tissue‐engineered intestine (TEI), the pNCSCs‐derived neurons mediated neuron‐dependent peristalsis of TEI. These results show that the pNCSCs that were previously assumed to not be induced by intestinal environment or cues can innervate the intestine and establish neuron‐dependent motility. Future cell candidates for ENS regeneration may include nonenteric NCSCs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Huipu Yuan
- Institute of Translational Medicine, and Children's Hospital Affiliated and Key Laboratory of Diagnosis and Treatment of Neonatal Diseases of Zhejiang Province, the Children's Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, National Clinical Research Center for Child Health, Hangzhou, People's Republic of China.,Institute of Translational Medicine, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, People's Republic of China
| | - Hui Hu
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, Hangzhou Medical College, Hangzhou, People's Republic of China
| | - Rui Chen
- Institute of Translational Medicine, and Children's Hospital Affiliated and Key Laboratory of Diagnosis and Treatment of Neonatal Diseases of Zhejiang Province, the Children's Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, National Clinical Research Center for Child Health, Hangzhou, People's Republic of China.,Department of Neonatal Surgery, Children's Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, People's Republic of China
| | - Wenbo Mu
- Institute of Translational Medicine, and Children's Hospital Affiliated and Key Laboratory of Diagnosis and Treatment of Neonatal Diseases of Zhejiang Province, the Children's Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, National Clinical Research Center for Child Health, Hangzhou, People's Republic of China.,Institute of Translational Medicine, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, People's Republic of China
| | - Liangliang Wang
- Interdisciplinary Institutes of Neuroscience and Technology, Qiushi Academy for Advanced Studies, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, People's Republic of China
| | - Ying Li
- Institute of Translational Medicine, and Children's Hospital Affiliated and Key Laboratory of Diagnosis and Treatment of Neonatal Diseases of Zhejiang Province, the Children's Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, National Clinical Research Center for Child Health, Hangzhou, People's Republic of China.,Institute of Translational Medicine, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, People's Republic of China
| | - Yuelei Chen
- Cell Bank/Stem Cell Bank, Institute of Biochemistry and Cell Biology, Shanghai Institutes for Biological Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai, People's Republic of China
| | - Xiaoyan Ding
- Cell Bank/Stem Cell Bank, Institute of Biochemistry and Cell Biology, Shanghai Institutes for Biological Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai, People's Republic of China
| | - Yongmei Xi
- Institute of Genetics and Department of Genetics, Division of Human Reproduction and Developmental Genetics of the Women's Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, People's Republic of China
| | - ShanShan Mao
- Department of Internal Neurology, Children's Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, People's Republic of China
| | - Mizu Jiang
- Department of Gastroenterology, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, People's Republic of China
| | - Jie Chen
- Department of Pediatric Surgery, Xinhua Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, People's Republic of China
| | - Yong He
- State Key Laboratory of Fluid Power and Mechatronic Systems School of Mechanical Engineering, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, People's Republic of China
| | - Lang Wang
- Interdisciplinary Institutes of Neuroscience and Technology, Qiushi Academy for Advanced Studies, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, People's Republic of China
| | - Yi Dong
- Key Laboratory of Adolescent Health Assessment and Exercise Intervention of Ministry of Education, School of Physical Education & Health Care, East China Normal University, Shanghai, People's Republic of China
| | - Jinfa Tou
- Institute of Translational Medicine, and Children's Hospital Affiliated and Key Laboratory of Diagnosis and Treatment of Neonatal Diseases of Zhejiang Province, the Children's Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, National Clinical Research Center for Child Health, Hangzhou, People's Republic of China.,Department of Neonatal Surgery, Children's Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, People's Republic of China
| | - Wei Chen
- Institute of Translational Medicine, and Children's Hospital Affiliated and Key Laboratory of Diagnosis and Treatment of Neonatal Diseases of Zhejiang Province, the Children's Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, National Clinical Research Center for Child Health, Hangzhou, People's Republic of China.,Institute of Translational Medicine, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, People's Republic of China.,Department of Neurobiology, Institute of Neuroscience, NHC and CAMS Key Laboratory of Medical Neurobiology, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, People's Republic of China
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5
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Schmitteckert S, Mederer T, Röth R, Günther P, Holland-Cunz S, Metzger M, Samstag Y, Schröder-Braunstein J, Wabnitz G, Kurzhals S, Scheuerer J, Beretta CA, Lasitschka F, Rappold GA, Romero P, Niesler B. Postnatal human enteric neurospheres show a remarkable molecular complexity. Neurogastroenterol Motil 2019; 31:e13674. [PMID: 31318473 DOI: 10.1111/nmo.13674] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/07/2019] [Revised: 06/26/2019] [Accepted: 06/26/2019] [Indexed: 01/30/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND The enteric nervous system (ENS), a complex network of neurons and glial cells, coordinates major gastrointestinal functions. Impaired development or secondary aberrations cause severe enteric neuropathies. Neural crest-derived stem cells as well as enteric neuronal progenitor cells, which form enteric neurospheres, represent a promising tool to unravel molecular pathomechanisms and to develop novel therapy options. However, so far little is known about the detailed cellular composition and the proportional distribution of enteric neurospheres. Comprehensive knowledge will not only be essential for basic research but also for prospective cell replacement therapies to restore or to improve enteric neuronal dysfunction. METHODS Human enteric neurospheres were generated from three individuals with varying age. For detailed molecular characterization, nCounter target gene expression analyses focusing on stem, progenitor, neuronal, glial, muscular, and epithelial cell markers were performed. Corresponding archived paraffin-embedded individuals' specimens were analyzed accordingly. KEY RESULTS Our data revealed a remarkable molecular complexity of enteric neurospheres and archived specimens. Amongst the expression of multipotent stem cell, progenitor cell, neuronal, glial, muscle and epithelial cell markers, moderate levels for the pluripotency marker POU5F1 were observed. Furthermore, besides the interindividual variability, we identified highly distinct intraindividual expression profiles. CONCLUSIONS & INFERENCES Our results emphasize the assessment of molecular signatures to be essential for standardized use, optimization of experimental approaches, and elimination of potential risk factors, as the formation of tumors. Our study pipeline may serve as a blueprint implemented into the characterization procedure of enteric neurospheres for various future applications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Stefanie Schmitteckert
- Department of Human Molecular Genetics, Institute of Human Genetics, Heidelberg University Hospital, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Tanja Mederer
- Department of Human Molecular Genetics, Institute of Human Genetics, Heidelberg University Hospital, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Ralph Röth
- Department of Human Molecular Genetics, Institute of Human Genetics, Heidelberg University Hospital, Heidelberg, Germany.,nCounter Core Facility, Institute of Human Genetics, Heidelberg University Hospital, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Patrick Günther
- Division of Pediatric Surgery, Department of Surgery, Heidelberg University Hospital, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Stefan Holland-Cunz
- Division of Pediatric Surgery, Department of Surgery, Heidelberg University Hospital, Heidelberg, Germany.,Pediatric Surgery, University Children's Hospital Basel, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Marco Metzger
- Fraunhofer Institute for Silicate Research (ISC), Translational Centre Regenerative Therapies (TLC-RT) Wuerzburg, Wuerzburg, Germany
| | - Yvonne Samstag
- Institute of Immunology, Heidelberg University Hospital, Heidelberg, Germany
| | | | - Guido Wabnitz
- Institute of Immunology, Heidelberg University Hospital, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Stefan Kurzhals
- Institute of Immunology, Heidelberg University Hospital, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Jutta Scheuerer
- Institute of Pathology, Heidelberg University Hospital, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Carlo A Beretta
- CellNetworks Math-Clinic Core Facility, Bioquant, Heidelberg University, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Felix Lasitschka
- Institute of Pathology, Heidelberg University Hospital, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Gudrun A Rappold
- Department of Human Molecular Genetics, Institute of Human Genetics, Heidelberg University Hospital, Heidelberg, Germany.,Interdisciplinary Center for Neurosciences (IZN), Heidelberg University, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Philipp Romero
- Division of Pediatric Surgery, Department of Surgery, Heidelberg University Hospital, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Beate Niesler
- Department of Human Molecular Genetics, Institute of Human Genetics, Heidelberg University Hospital, Heidelberg, Germany.,nCounter Core Facility, Institute of Human Genetics, Heidelberg University Hospital, Heidelberg, Germany.,Interdisciplinary Center for Neurosciences (IZN), Heidelberg University, Heidelberg, Germany
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6
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Xie P, Deng M, Sun QG, Ma YG, Zhou Y, Ming JH, Chen Q, Liu SQ, Liu JQ, Cai J, Wu F. Therapeutic effect of transplantation of human bone marrow‑derived mesenchymal stem cells on neuron regeneration in a rat model of middle cerebral artery occlusion. Mol Med Rep 2019; 20:3065-3074. [PMID: 31432152 PMCID: PMC6755237 DOI: 10.3892/mmr.2019.10536] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/05/2018] [Accepted: 05/31/2019] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Human bone marrow-derived mesenchymal stromal cells (hBMSCs) have been revealed to be beneficial for the regeneration of tissues and cells in several diseases. The present study aimed to elucidate the mechanisms underlying the effect of hBMSC transplantation on neuron regeneration in a rat model of middle cerebral artery occlusion (MCAO). The hBMSCs were isolated, cultured and identified. A rat model of MCAO was induced via the modified Longa method. Neurological severity scores (NSS) were adopted for the evaluation of neuronal function in the model rats after cell transplantation. Next, the expression levels of nestin, β-III-tubulin (β-III-Tub), glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP), HNA and neuronal nuclear antigen (NeuN) were examined, as well as the positive expression rates of human neutrophil alloantigen (HNA), nestin, NeuN, β-III-Tub and GFAP. The NSS, as well as the mRNA and protein expression of nestin, decreased at the 1st, 2nd, 4 and 8th weeks, while the mRNA and protein expression of NeuN, β-III-Tub and GFAP increased with time. In addition, after treatment, the MCAO rats showed decreased NSS and mRNA and protein expression of nestin, but elevated mRNA and protein expression of NeuN, β-III-Tub and GFAP at the 2nd, 4 and 8th weeks, and decreased positive expression of HNA and nestin with enhanced expression of NeuN, β-III-Tub and GFAP. Therefore, the present findings demonstrated that hBMSC transplantation triggered the formation of nerve cells and enhanced neuronal function in a rat model of MCAO.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ping Xie
- Department of Chinese Traditional Medicine, Tongren Hospital of Wuhan University (Wuhan Third Hospital), Wuhan, Hubei 430060, P.R. China
| | - Ming Deng
- Department of Orthopedics, Renmin Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan, Hubei 430060, P.R. China
| | - Qin-Guo Sun
- Department of Chinese Traditional Medicine, Tongren Hospital of Wuhan University (Wuhan Third Hospital), Wuhan, Hubei 430060, P.R. China
| | - Yong-Gang Ma
- Department of Orthopedics, Renmin Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan, Hubei 430060, P.R. China
| | - Yan Zhou
- Department of Orthopedics, Renmin Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan, Hubei 430060, P.R. China
| | - Jiang-Hua Ming
- Department of Orthopedics, Renmin Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan, Hubei 430060, P.R. China
| | - Qing Chen
- Department of Orthopedics, Renmin Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan, Hubei 430060, P.R. China
| | - Shi-Qing Liu
- Department of Orthopedics, Renmin Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan, Hubei 430060, P.R. China
| | - Jun-Qi Liu
- Department of Radiation Oncology, The First of Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, Henan 45003, P.R. China
| | - Jun Cai
- Department of Emergency and Trauma Surgery, The Central Hospital of Wuhan, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, Hubei 430014, P.R. China
| | - Fei Wu
- Department of Orthopedics, Renmin Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan, Hubei 430060, P.R. China
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Hu H, Ding Y, Mu W, Li Y, Wang Y, Jiang W, Fu Y, Tou J, Chen W. DRG-Derived Neural Progenitors Differentiate into Functional Enteric Neurons Following Transplantation in the Postnatal Colon. Cell Transplant 2018; 28:157-169. [PMID: 30442032 PMCID: PMC6362519 DOI: 10.1177/0963689718811061] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/31/2022] Open
Abstract
Cell therapy has great promise for treating gastrointestinal motility disorders caused by intestinal nervous system (ENS) diseases. However, appropriate sources, other than enteric neural stem cells and human embryonic stem cells, are seldom reported. Here, we show that neural progenitors derived from the dorsal root ganglion (DRG) of EGFP mice survived, differentiated into enteric neurons and glia cells, migrated widely from the site of injection, and established neuron-muscle connections following transplantation into the distal colon of postnatal mice. The exogenous EGFP+ neurons were physiologically functional as shown by the activity of calcium imaging. This study shows that that other tissues besides the postnatal bowel harbor neural crest stem cells or neural progenitors that have the potential to differentiate into functional enteric neurons in vivo and can potentially be used for intestinal nerve regeneration. These DRG-derived neural progenitor cells may be a choice for cell therapy of ENS disease as an allograft. The new knowledge provided by our study is important for the development of neural crest stem cell and cell therapy for the treatment of intestinal neuropathy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hui Hu
- 1 Children's Hospital Affiliated and Key Laboratory of Diagnosis and Treatment of Neonatal Diseases of Zhejiang Province, School of Medicine, Zhejiang University, China.,2 Institute of Translational Medicine, School of Medicine, Zhejiang University, China
| | - Yuanyuan Ding
- 1 Children's Hospital Affiliated and Key Laboratory of Diagnosis and Treatment of Neonatal Diseases of Zhejiang Province, School of Medicine, Zhejiang University, China.,2 Institute of Translational Medicine, School of Medicine, Zhejiang University, China
| | - Wenbo Mu
- 1 Children's Hospital Affiliated and Key Laboratory of Diagnosis and Treatment of Neonatal Diseases of Zhejiang Province, School of Medicine, Zhejiang University, China.,2 Institute of Translational Medicine, School of Medicine, Zhejiang University, China
| | - Ying Li
- 1 Children's Hospital Affiliated and Key Laboratory of Diagnosis and Treatment of Neonatal Diseases of Zhejiang Province, School of Medicine, Zhejiang University, China.,2 Institute of Translational Medicine, School of Medicine, Zhejiang University, China
| | - Yanpeng Wang
- 3 Department of Gynecology, Zhejiang Provincial People's Hospital, People's Hospital of Hangzhou Medical College, China
| | - Weifang Jiang
- 4 Department of Neonatal Surgery, Children's Hospital, School of Medicine, Zhejiang University, China
| | - Yong Fu
- 1 Children's Hospital Affiliated and Key Laboratory of Diagnosis and Treatment of Neonatal Diseases of Zhejiang Province, School of Medicine, Zhejiang University, China.,5 Otolaryngological Department, Children's Hospital, School of Medicine, Zhejiang University, China
| | - Jinfa Tou
- 1 Children's Hospital Affiliated and Key Laboratory of Diagnosis and Treatment of Neonatal Diseases of Zhejiang Province, School of Medicine, Zhejiang University, China.,4 Department of Neonatal Surgery, Children's Hospital, School of Medicine, Zhejiang University, China
| | - Wei Chen
- 1 Children's Hospital Affiliated and Key Laboratory of Diagnosis and Treatment of Neonatal Diseases of Zhejiang Province, School of Medicine, Zhejiang University, China.,2 Institute of Translational Medicine, School of Medicine, Zhejiang University, China.,6 Department of Neurobiology, Key Laboratory of Medical Neurobiology of Ministry of Health of China, School of Medicine, Zhejiang University, China
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8
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Boesmans W, Hao MM, Vanden Berghe P. Optogenetic and chemogenetic techniques for neurogastroenterology. Nat Rev Gastroenterol Hepatol 2018; 15:21-38. [PMID: 29184183 DOI: 10.1038/nrgastro.2017.151] [Citation(s) in RCA: 33] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
Optogenetics and chemogenetics comprise a wide variety of applications in which genetically encoded actuators and indicators are used to modulate and monitor activity with high cellular specificity. Over the past 10 years, development of these genetically encoded tools has contributed tremendously to our understanding of integrated physiology. In concert with the continued refinement of probes, strategies to target transgene expression to specific cell types have also made much progress in the past 20 years. In addition, the successful implementation of optogenetic and chemogenetic techniques thrives thanks to ongoing advances in live imaging microscopy and optical technology. Although innovation of optogenetic and chemogenetic methods has been primarily driven by researchers studying the central nervous system, these techniques also hold great promise to boost research in neurogastroenterology. In this Review, we describe the different classes of tools that are currently available and give an overview of the strategies to target them to specific cell types in the gut wall. We discuss the possibilities and limitations of optogenetic and chemogenetic technology in the gut and provide an overview of their current use, with a focus on the enteric nervous system. Furthermore, we suggest some experiments that can advance our understanding of how the intrinsic and extrinsic neural networks of the gut control gastrointestinal function.
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Affiliation(s)
- Werend Boesmans
- Laboratory for Enteric Neuroscience (LENS), Translational Research Center for Gastrointestinal Disorders (TARGID), University of Leuven, Herestraat 49, O&N 1 Box 701, 3000 Leuven, Belgium.,Department of Pathology, Maastricht University Medical Center, P. Debeijelaan 25, 6229 HX, Maastricht, The Netherlands
| | - Marlene M Hao
- Laboratory for Enteric Neuroscience (LENS), Translational Research Center for Gastrointestinal Disorders (TARGID), University of Leuven, Herestraat 49, O&N 1 Box 701, 3000 Leuven, Belgium.,Department of Anatomy and Neuroscience, University of Melbourne, Parkville, Victoria 3010, Australia
| | - Pieter Vanden Berghe
- Laboratory for Enteric Neuroscience (LENS), Translational Research Center for Gastrointestinal Disorders (TARGID), University of Leuven, Herestraat 49, O&N 1 Box 701, 3000 Leuven, Belgium
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9
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Stamp LA, Gwynne RM, Foong JPP, Lomax AE, Hao MM, Kaplan DI, Reid CA, Petrou S, Allen AM, Bornstein JC, Young HM. Optogenetic Demonstration of Functional Innervation of Mouse Colon by Neurons Derived From Transplanted Neural Cells. Gastroenterology 2017; 152:1407-1418. [PMID: 28115057 DOI: 10.1053/j.gastro.2017.01.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 37] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/19/2016] [Revised: 12/21/2016] [Accepted: 01/09/2017] [Indexed: 12/31/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND & AIMS Cell therapy offers the potential to treat gastrointestinal motility disorders caused by diseased or absent enteric neurons. We examined whether neurons generated from transplanted enteric neural cells provide a functional innervation of bowel smooth muscle in mice. METHODS Enteric neural cells expressing the light-sensitive ion channel, channelrhodopsin, were isolated from the fetal or postnatal mouse bowel and transplanted into the distal colon of 3- to 4-week-old wild-type recipient mice. Intracellular electrophysiological recordings of responses to light stimulation of the transplanted cells were made from colonic smooth muscle cells in recipient mice. Electrical stimulation of endogenous enteric neurons was used as a control. RESULTS The axons of graft-derived neurons formed a plexus in the circular muscle layer. Selective stimulation of graft-derived cells by light resulted in excitatory and inhibitory junction potentials, the electrical events underlying contraction and relaxation, respectively, in colonic muscle cells. Graft-derived excitatory and inhibitory motor neurons released the same neurotransmitters as endogenous motor neurons-acetylcholine and a combination of adenosine triphosphate and nitric oxide, respectively. Graft-derived neurons also included interneurons that provided synaptic inputs to motor neurons, but the pharmacologic properties of interneurons varied with the age of the donors from which enteric neural cells were obtained. CONCLUSIONS Enteric neural cells transplanted into the bowel give rise to multiple functional types of neurons that integrate and provide a functional innervation of the smooth muscle of the bowel wall. Circuits composed of both motor neurons and interneurons were established, but the age at which cells are isolated influences the neurotransmitter phenotype of interneurons that are generated.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lincon A Stamp
- Department of Anatomy and Neuroscience, University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
| | - Rachel M Gwynne
- Department of Anatomy and Neuroscience, University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
| | - Jaime P P Foong
- Department of Physiology, University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
| | - Alan E Lomax
- Gastrointestinal Diseases Research Unit, Queen's University, Kingston, Ontario, Canada
| | - Marlene M Hao
- Department of Anatomy and Neuroscience, University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
| | - David I Kaplan
- The Florey Institute of Neuroscience and Mental Health, University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
| | - Christopher A Reid
- The Florey Institute of Neuroscience and Mental Health, University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
| | - Steven Petrou
- The Florey Institute of Neuroscience and Mental Health, University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
| | - Andrew M Allen
- Department of Physiology, University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
| | - Joel C Bornstein
- Department of Physiology, University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
| | - Heather M Young
- Department of Anatomy and Neuroscience, University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia.
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10
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McKeown SJ, Mohsenipour M, Bergner AJ, Young HM, Stamp LA. Exposure to GDNF Enhances the Ability of Enteric Neural Progenitors to Generate an Enteric Nervous System. Stem Cell Reports 2017; 8:476-488. [PMID: 28089669 PMCID: PMC5312076 DOI: 10.1016/j.stemcr.2016.12.013] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/05/2016] [Revised: 12/13/2016] [Accepted: 12/14/2016] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Cell therapy is a promising approach to generate an enteric nervous system (ENS) and treat enteric neuropathies. However, for translation to the clinic, it is highly likely that enteric neural progenitors will require manipulation prior to transplantation to enhance their ability to migrate and generate an ENS. In this study, we examine the effects of exposure to several factors on the ability of ENS progenitors, grown as enteric neurospheres, to migrate and generate an ENS. Exposure to glial-cell-line-derived neurotrophic factor (GDNF) resulted in a 14-fold increase in neurosphere volume and a 12-fold increase in cell number. Following co-culture with embryonic gut or transplantation into the colon of postnatal mice in vivo, cells derived from GDNF-treated neurospheres showed a 2-fold increase in the distance migrated compared with controls. Our data show that the ability of enteric neurospheres to generate an ENS can be enhanced by exposure to appropriate factors. Enteric neurospheres are likely to require manipulation for clinical applications Exposure to GDNF increased the size and cell number in enteric neurospheres GDNF-treated neurospheres showed enhanced migration after transplantation in vivo Manipulation of enteric neurospheres can enhance the generation of enteric neurons
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Affiliation(s)
- Sonja J McKeown
- Department of Anatomy and Neuroscience, University of Melbourne, Parkville, VIC 3010, Australia; Cancer Program, Department of Anatomy and Developmental Biology, Monash Biomedicine Discovery Institute, Monash University, Clayton, VIC 3800, Australia.
| | - Mitra Mohsenipour
- Department of Anatomy and Neuroscience, University of Melbourne, Parkville, VIC 3010, Australia
| | - Annette J Bergner
- Department of Anatomy and Neuroscience, University of Melbourne, Parkville, VIC 3010, Australia
| | - Heather M Young
- Department of Anatomy and Neuroscience, University of Melbourne, Parkville, VIC 3010, Australia
| | - Lincon A Stamp
- Department of Anatomy and Neuroscience, University of Melbourne, Parkville, VIC 3010, Australia.
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11
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Stamp LA, Young HM. Recent advances in regenerative medicine to treat enteric neuropathies: use of human cells. Neurogastroenterol Motil 2017; 29. [PMID: 28028898 DOI: 10.1111/nmo.12993] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/04/2016] [Accepted: 10/18/2016] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
Abstract
As current options for treating most enteric neuropathies are either non-effective or associated with significant ongoing problems, cell therapy is a potential attractive possibility to treat congenital and acquired neuropathies. Studies using animal models have shown that following transplantation of enteric neural progenitors into the bowel of recipients, the transplanted cells migrate, proliferate, and generate neurons that are electrically active and receive synaptic inputs. Recent studies have transplanted human enteric neural progenitors into the mouse colon and shown engraftment. In this article, we summarize the significance of these recent advances and discuss priorities for future research that might lead to the use of regenerative medicine to treat enteric neuropathies in the clinic.
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Affiliation(s)
- L A Stamp
- Department of Anatomy & Neuroscience, University of Melbourne, Parkville, Vic., Australia
| | - H M Young
- Department of Anatomy & Neuroscience, University of Melbourne, Parkville, Vic., Australia
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12
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Xia Q, Bai QR, Dong M, Sun X, Zhang H, Cui J, Xi H, Hu XL, Shen Q, Chen L. Interaction Between Gastric Carcinoma Cells and Neural Cells Promotes Perineural Invasion by a Pathway Involving VCAM1. Dig Dis Sci 2015; 60:3283-92. [PMID: 26108418 DOI: 10.1007/s10620-015-3758-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/05/2015] [Accepted: 06/10/2015] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Perineural invasion (PNI) is one of the important routes for local spread of gastric carcinoma associated with poor prognosis. However, the exact cellular characteristics and molecular mechanisms of PNI are still unclear. AIM To identify the interaction between gastric carcinoma cells and neural cells, and whether vascular cell adhesion molecule-1 (VCAM1) is involved in this process. METHODS We adopted in vitro cell coculture assays to investigate the cellular and molecular interaction between gastric cancer cells and neural cells. RESULTS We find upregulation of VCAM1 in clinical gastric cancer tissue samples. In in vitro tumor-neural cell coculture system, gastric cancer cells with high level of VCAM1 promote proliferation of neural progenitor cells and induce the process outgrowth and branching of neural cells. Reciprocally, neural cells enhance neurotropic migration and mobility of tumor cells. Repressing VCAM1 function through VCAM1 blocking antibody can attenuate these effects. CONCLUSIONS Our study indicates that VCAM1 is significantly involved in tumor invasion via mediating nerve-tumor interaction, which is a mutually beneficial process. It is possible that interaction between neural cells and tumor cells might contribute to PNI of gastric carcinoma. Inhibiting the activity of VCAM1 could be a potential strategy targeting PNI in gastric carcinoma therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qijun Xia
- Department of General Surgery, General Hospital of Chinese People's Liberation Army (PLA), Medical College of PLA, Beijing, 100853, People's Republic of China.
| | - Qing-Ran Bai
- Center for Stem Cell Biology and Regenerative Medicine, School of Medicine, Tsinghua-Peking Center for Life Sciences, Tsinghua University, Beijing, 100084, People's Republic of China.
- School of Life Science, Tsinghua University, Beijing, 100084, People's Republic of China.
| | - Maosheng Dong
- Department of General Surgery, General Hospital of the PLA Second Artillery Force, Beijing, 100088, People's Republic of China.
| | - Xicai Sun
- Center for Stem Cell Biology and Regenerative Medicine, School of Medicine, Tsinghua-Peking Center for Life Sciences, Tsinghua University, Beijing, 100084, People's Republic of China.
| | - Haihong Zhang
- Department of General Surgery, General Hospital of Chinese People's Liberation Army (PLA), Medical College of PLA, Beijing, 100853, People's Republic of China.
| | - Jianxin Cui
- Department of General Surgery, General Hospital of Chinese People's Liberation Army (PLA), Medical College of PLA, Beijing, 100853, People's Republic of China.
| | - Hongqin Xi
- Department of General Surgery, General Hospital of Chinese People's Liberation Army (PLA), Medical College of PLA, Beijing, 100853, People's Republic of China.
| | - Xiao-Ling Hu
- Center for Stem Cell Biology and Regenerative Medicine, School of Medicine, Tsinghua-Peking Center for Life Sciences, Tsinghua University, Beijing, 100084, People's Republic of China.
| | - Qin Shen
- Center for Stem Cell Biology and Regenerative Medicine, School of Medicine, Tsinghua-Peking Center for Life Sciences, Tsinghua University, Beijing, 100084, People's Republic of China.
| | - Lin Chen
- Department of General Surgery, General Hospital of Chinese People's Liberation Army (PLA), Medical College of PLA, Beijing, 100853, People's Republic of China.
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13
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Cheng LS, Hotta R, Graham HK, Nagy N, Goldstein AM, Belkind-Gerson J. Endoscopic delivery of enteric neural stem cells to treat Hirschsprung disease. Neurogastroenterol Motil 2015; 27:1509-14. [PMID: 26190543 PMCID: PMC4600089 DOI: 10.1111/nmo.12635] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/15/2015] [Accepted: 06/18/2015] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Transplantation of enteric neural stem cells (ENSC) holds promise as a potential therapy for enteric neuropathies, including Hirschsprung disease. Delivery of transplantable cells via laparotomy has been described, but we propose a novel, minimally invasive endoscopic method of cell delivery. METHODS Enteric neural stem cells for transplantation were cultured from dissociated gut of postnatal donor mice. Twelve recipient mice, including Ednrb(-/-) mice with distal colonic aganglionosis, underwent colonoscopic injection of ENSC under direct vision using a 30-gauge Hamilton needle passed through a rigid cystoureteroscope. Cell engraftment, survival, and neuroglial differentiation were studied 1-4 weeks after the procedure. KEY RESULTS All recipient mice tolerated the procedure without complications and survived to sacrifice. Transplanted cells were found within the colonic wall in 9 of 12 recipient mice with differentiation into enteric neurons and glia. CONCLUSIONS & INFERENCES Endoscopic injection of ENSC is a safe and reliable method for cell delivery, and can be used to deliver a large number of cells to a specific area of disease. This minimally invasive endoscopic approach may prove beneficial to future human applications of cell therapy for neurointestinal disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lily S. Cheng
- Department of Pediatric Surgery, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA,Department of Surgery, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, USA
| | - Ryo Hotta
- Department of Pediatric Surgery, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Hannah K. Graham
- Department of Pediatric Surgery, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Nandor Nagy
- Department of Pediatric Surgery, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA,Semmelweis University, Budapest, Hungary
| | - Allan M. Goldstein
- Department of Pediatric Surgery, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA,Pediatric Neurogastroenterology Program, MassGeneral Hospital for Children, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Jaime Belkind-Gerson
- Pediatric Neurogastroenterology Program, MassGeneral Hospital for Children, Boston, MA, USA,Department of Pediatric Gastroenterology, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
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14
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Stamp LA, Obermayr F, Pontell L, Young HM, Xie D, Croaker DH, Song ZM, Furness JB. Surgical Intervention to Rescue Hirschsprung Disease in a Rat Model. J Neurogastroenterol Motil 2015; 21:552-9. [PMID: 26424040 PMCID: PMC4622138 DOI: 10.5056/jnm15079] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/11/2015] [Revised: 06/17/2015] [Accepted: 06/30/2015] [Indexed: 01/11/2023] Open
Abstract
Background/Aims Rats with a spontaneous null mutation in endothelin receptor type B or Ednrb (sl/sl; spotting lethal) lack enteric neurons in the distal bowel and usually die within the first week after birth. This early postnatal lethality limits their use for examining the potential of cell therapy to treat Hirschsprung disease, and for studies of the influence of EDNRB on the mature CNS and vascular systems. Methods We have developed a surgical intervention to prolong the life of the spotting lethal sl/sl rat, in which we perform a colostomy on postnatal (P) day 4–6 rats to avoid the fatal obstruction caused by the lack of colonic enteric neurons. Results The stomas remained patent and functional and the rats matured normally following surgery. Weight gains were comparable between control and Hirschsprung phenotype (sl/sl) rats, which were followed until 4 weeks after surgery (5 weeks old). We confirmed the absence of enteric neurons in the distal colon of rats whose lives were saved by the surgical intervention. Conclusions This study provides a novel approach for studying EDNRB signalling in multiple organ systems in mature rats, including an animal model to study the efficacy of cell therapy to treat Hirschsprung disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lincon A Stamp
- Department of Anatomy and Neuroscience, University of Melbourne, Parkville, VIC, Australia
| | - Florian Obermayr
- Department of Anatomy and Neuroscience, University of Melbourne, Parkville, VIC, Australia.,Department of Pediatric Surgery and Pediatric Urology, University Children's Hospital Tuebingen, Tuebingen, Germany
| | - Louise Pontell
- Department of Anatomy and Neuroscience, University of Melbourne, Parkville, VIC, Australia
| | - Heather M Young
- Department of Anatomy and Neuroscience, University of Melbourne, Parkville, VIC, Australia
| | - Dan Xie
- Eccles Institute of Neuroscience, John Curtin School of Medical Research and Medical School, Australian National University, Canberra, ACT, Australia
| | - David H Croaker
- Department of Pediatrics and Child Health, Canberra Hospital, Canberra, Australia
| | - Zan-Min Song
- Eccles Institute of Neuroscience, John Curtin School of Medical Research and Medical School, Australian National University, Canberra, ACT, Australia
| | - John B Furness
- Department of Anatomy and Neuroscience, University of Melbourne, Parkville, VIC, Australia
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15
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Lin R, Ding Z, Ma H, Shi H, Gao Y, Qian W, Shi W, Sun Z, Hou X, Li X. In Vitro Conditioned Bone Marrow-Derived Mesenchymal Stem Cells Promote De Novo Functional Enteric Nerve Regeneration, but Not Through Direct-Transdifferentiation. Stem Cells 2015; 33:3545-57. [PMID: 26302722 DOI: 10.1002/stem.2197] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/02/2014] [Revised: 07/09/2015] [Accepted: 07/25/2015] [Indexed: 01/05/2023]
Abstract
Injury or neurodegenerative disorders of the enteric nervous system (ENS) cause gastrointestinal dysfunctions for which there is no effective therapy. This study, using the benzalkonium chloride-induced rat gastric denervation model, aimed to determine whether transplantation of bone marrow-derived mesenchymal stem cells (BMSC) could promote ENS neuron regeneration and if so, to elucidate the mechanism. Fluorescently labeled BMSC, isolated from either WT (BMSC labeled with bis-benzimide [BBM]) or green fluorescent protein (GFP)-transgenic rats, were preconditioned in vitro using fetal gut culture media containing glial cell-derived neurotrophic factor (GDNF), and transplanted subserosally into the denervated area of rat pylorus. In the nerve-ablated pylorus, grafted BMSC survived and migrated from the subserosa to the submucosa 28 days after transplantation, without apparent dedifferentiation. A massive number of PGP9.5/NSE/HuC/D/Tuj1-positive (but GFP- and BBM-negative) neurons were effectively regenerated in denervated pylorus grafted with preconditioned BMSC, suggesting that they were regenerated de novo, not originating from trans-differentiation of the transplanted BMSC. BMSC transplantation restored both basal pyloric contractility and electric field stimulation-induced relaxation. High levels of GDNF were induced in both in vitro-preconditioned BMSC as well as the previously denervated pylorus after transplantation of preconditioned BMSC. Thus, a BMSC-initiated GDNF-positive feedback mechanism is suggested to promote neuron regeneration and growth. In summary, we have demonstrated that allogeneically transplanted preconditioned BMSC initiate de novo regeneration of gastric neuronal cells/structures that in turn restore gastric contractility in pylorus-denervated rats. These neuronal structures did not originate from the grafted BMSC. Our data suggest that preconditioned allogeneic BMSC may have therapeutic value in treating enteric nerve disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rong Lin
- Division of Gastroenterology, Union Hospital of Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, People's Republic of China.,Department of Medicine/GI Division, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
| | - Zhen Ding
- Division of Gastroenterology, Union Hospital of Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, People's Republic of China.,Department of Medicine/GI Division, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
| | - Huan Ma
- Division of Gastroenterology, Union Hospital of Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, People's Republic of China.,Division of Gastroenterology, Qingdao Municipal Hospital, Qingdao, People's Republic of China
| | - Huiying Shi
- Division of Gastroenterology, Union Hospital of Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, People's Republic of China
| | - Yuanjun Gao
- Division of Gastroenterology, Union Hospital of Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, People's Republic of China
| | - Wei Qian
- Division of Gastroenterology, Union Hospital of Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, People's Republic of China
| | - Weina Shi
- Division of Gastroenterology, Union Hospital of Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, People's Republic of China
| | - Zhaoli Sun
- Department of Surgery, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
| | - Xiaohua Hou
- Division of Gastroenterology, Union Hospital of Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, People's Republic of China
| | - Xuhang Li
- Department of Medicine/GI Division, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
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Abstract
The enteric nervous system is the intrinsic innervation of the gut. Several neuromuscular disorders affect the neurons and glia of the enteric nervous system adversely, resulting in disruptions in gastrointestinal motility and function. Pharmacological interventions to remedy gastrointestinal function do not address the underlying cause of dysmotility arising from lost, absent, or damaged enteric neuroglial circuitry. Cell-based therapies have gained traction in the past decade, following the discovery of several adult stem cell niches in the human body. Adult neural stem cells can be isolated from the postnatal and adult intestine using minimally invasive biopsies. These stem cells retain the ability to differentiate into several functional classes of enteric neurons and enteric glia. Upon identification of these cells, several groups have also established that transplantation of these cells into aganglionic or dysganglionic intestine rescues gastrointestinal motility and function. This chapter highlights key studies performed in the field of stem cell transplantation therapies that are targeted towards the remedy of gastrointestinal motility and function.
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Affiliation(s)
- Khalil N Bitar
- Wake Forest School of Medicine, Wake Forest Institute for Regenerative Medicine, 391 Technology Way, Richard H Dean Biomedical Engineering Building, Winston-Salem, NC, 27101, USA,
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17
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Grundmann D, Klotz M, Rabe H, Glanemann M, Schäfer KH. Isolation of high-purity myenteric plexus from adult human and mouse gastrointestinal tract. Sci Rep 2015; 5:9226. [PMID: 25791532 DOI: 10.1038/srep09226] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/15/2014] [Accepted: 02/11/2015] [Indexed: 01/19/2023] Open
Abstract
The enteric nervous system (ENS) orchestrates a broad range of important gastrointestinal functions such as intestinal motility and gastric secretion. The ENS can be affected by environmental factors, diet and disease. Changes due to these alterations are often hard to evaluate in detail when whole gut samples are used. Analyses based on pure ENS tissue can more effectively reflect the ongoing changes during pathological processes. Here, we present an optimized approach for the isolation of pure myenteric plexus (MP) from adult mouse and human. To do so, muscle tissue was individually digested with a purified collagenase. After incubation and a gentle mechanical disruption step, MP networks could be collected with anatomical integrity. These tissues could be stored and used either for immediate genomic, proteomic or in vitro approaches, and enteric neurospheres could be generated and differentiated. In a pilot experiment, the influence of bacterial lipopolysaccharide on human MP was analyzed using 2-dimensional gel electrophoresis. The method also allows investigation of factors that are secreted by myenteric tissue in vitro. The isolation of pure MP in large amounts allows new analytical approaches that can provide a new perspective in evaluating changes of the ENS in experimental models, human disease and aging.
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Affiliation(s)
- David Grundmann
- ENS Group, University of Applied Sciences Kaiserslautern/Zweibrücken, Germany
| | - Markus Klotz
- ENS Group, University of Applied Sciences Kaiserslautern/Zweibrücken, Germany
| | - Holger Rabe
- ENS Group, University of Applied Sciences Kaiserslautern/Zweibrücken, Germany
| | - Matthias Glanemann
- Department of General, Visceral, Vascular and Pediatric Surgery, Medical Faculty of the University of Saarland, Homburg/Saar, Germany
| | - Karl-Herbert Schäfer
- 1] ENS Group, University of Applied Sciences Kaiserslautern/Zweibrücken, Germany [2] University of Heidelberg, Paediatric Surgery Mannheim, Germany
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18
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Findlay Q, Yap KK, Bergner AJ, Young HM, Stamp LA. Enteric neural progenitors are more efficient than brain-derived progenitors at generating neurons in the colon. Am J Physiol Gastrointest Liver Physiol 2014; 307:G741-8. [PMID: 25125684 DOI: 10.1152/ajpgi.00225.2014] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/31/2023]
Abstract
Gut motility disorders can result from an absent, damaged, or dysfunctional enteric nervous system (ENS). Cell therapy is an exciting prospect to treat these enteric neuropathies and restore gut motility. Previous studies have examined a variety of sources of stem/progenitor cells, but the ability of different sources of cells to generate enteric neurons has not been directly compared. It is important to identify the source of stem/progenitor cells that is best at colonizing the bowel and generating neurons following transplantation. The aim of this study was to compare the ability of central nervous system (CNS) progenitors and ENS progenitors to colonize the colon and differentiate into neurons. Genetically labeled CNS- and ENS-derived progenitors were cocultured with aneural explants of embryonic mouse colon for 1 or 2.5 wk to assess their migratory, proliferative, and differentiation capacities, and survival, in the embryonic gut environment. Both progenitor cell populations were transplanted in the postnatal colon of mice in vivo for 4 wk before they were analyzed for migration and differentiation using immunohistochemistry. ENS-derived progenitors migrated further than CNS-derived cells in both embryonic and postnatal gut environments. ENS-derived progenitors also gave rise to more neurons than their CNS-derived counterparts. Furthermore, neurons derived from ENS progenitors clustered together in ganglia, whereas CNS-derived neurons were mostly solitary. We conclude that, within the gut environment, ENS-derived progenitors show superior migration, proliferation, and neuronal differentiation compared with CNS progenitors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Quan Findlay
- Department of Anatomy and Neuroscience, University of Melbourne, Parkville, Victoria, Australia
| | - Kiryu K Yap
- Department of Anatomy and Neuroscience, University of Melbourne, Parkville, Victoria, Australia
| | - Annette J Bergner
- Department of Anatomy and Neuroscience, University of Melbourne, Parkville, Victoria, Australia
| | - Heather M Young
- Department of Anatomy and Neuroscience, University of Melbourne, Parkville, Victoria, Australia
| | - Lincon A Stamp
- Department of Anatomy and Neuroscience, University of Melbourne, Parkville, Victoria, Australia
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19
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Raghavan S, Bitar KN. The influence of extracellular matrix composition on the differentiation of neuronal subtypes in tissue engineered innervated intestinal smooth muscle sheets. Biomaterials 2014; 35:7429-40. [PMID: 24929617 DOI: 10.1016/j.biomaterials.2014.05.037] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/19/2014] [Accepted: 05/15/2014] [Indexed: 01/29/2023]
Abstract
Differentiation of enteric neural stem cells into several appropriate neural phenotypes is crucial while considering transplantation as a cellular therapy to treat enteric neuropathies. We describe the formation of tissue engineered innervated sheets, where intestinal smooth muscle and enteric neuronal progenitor cells are brought into close association in extracellular matrix (ECM) based microenvironments. Uniaxial alignment of constituent smooth muscle cells was achieved by substrate microtopography. The smooth muscle component of the tissue engineered sheets maintained a contractile phenotype irrespective of the ECM composition, and generated equivalent contractions in response to potassium chloride stimulation, similar to native intestinal tissue. We provided enteric neuronal progenitor cells with permissive ECM-based compositional and viscoelastic cues to generate excitatory and inhibitory neuronal subtypes. In the presence of the smooth muscle cells, the enteric neuronal progenitor cells differentiated to functionally innervate the smooth muscle. The differentiation of specific neuronal subtypes was influenced by the ECM microenvironment, namely combinations of collagen I, collagen IV, laminin and/or heparan sulfate. The physiology of differentiated neurons within tissue engineered sheets was evaluated. Sheets with composite collagen and laminin had the most similar patterns of Acetylcholine-induced contraction to native intestinal tissue, corresponding to an increased protein expression of choline acetyltransferase. An enriched nitrergic neuronal population, evidenced by an increased expression of neuronal nitric oxide synthase, was obtained in tissue engineered sheets that included collagen IV. These sheets had a significantly increased magnitude of electrical field stimulated relaxation, sensitive maximally to nitric oxide synthase inhibition. Tissue engineered sheets containing laminin and/or heparan sulfate had a balanced expression of contractile and relaxant motor neurons. Our studies demonstrated that neuronal subtype was modulated by varying ECM composition. This observation could be utilized to derive enriched populations of specific enteric neurons in vitro prior to transplantation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shreya Raghavan
- Wake Forest Institute for Regenerative Medicine, Wake Forest School of Medicine, Winston-Salem, NC 27101, USA; Virginia Tech-Wake Forest School of Biomedical Engineering and Sciences, Winston-Salem, NC 27101, USA
| | - Khalil N Bitar
- Wake Forest Institute for Regenerative Medicine, Wake Forest School of Medicine, Winston-Salem, NC 27101, USA; Virginia Tech-Wake Forest School of Biomedical Engineering and Sciences, Winston-Salem, NC 27101, USA.
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Hetz S, Acikgoez A, Voss U, Nieber K, Holland H, Hegewald C, Till H, Metzger R, Metzger M. In vivo transplantation of neurosphere-like bodies derived from the human postnatal and adult enteric nervous system: a pilot study. PLoS One 2014; 9:e93605. [PMID: 24699866 PMCID: PMC3974735 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0093605] [Citation(s) in RCA: 43] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/31/2013] [Accepted: 03/06/2014] [Indexed: 11/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Recent advances in the in vitro characterization of human adult enteric neural progenitor cells have opened new possibilities for cell-based therapies in gastrointestinal motility disorders. However, whether these cells are able to integrate within an in vivo gut environment is still unclear. In this study, we transplanted neural progenitor-containing neurosphere-like bodies (NLBs) in a mouse model of hypoganglionosis and analyzed cellular integration of NLB-derived cell types and functional improvement. NLBs were propagated from postnatal and adult human gut tissues. Cells were characterized by immunohistochemistry, quantitative PCR and subtelomere fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH). For in vivo evaluation, the plexus of murine colon was damaged by the application of cationic surfactant benzalkonium chloride which was followed by the transplantation of NLBs in a fibrin matrix. After 4 weeks, grafted human cells were visualized by combined in situ hybridization (Alu) and immunohistochemistry (PGP9.5, GFAP, SMA). In addition, we determined nitric oxide synthase (NOS)-positive neurons and measured hypertrophic effects in the ENS and musculature. Contractility of treated guts was assessed in organ bath after electrical field stimulation. NLBs could be reproducibly generated without any signs of chromosomal alterations using subtelomere FISH. NLB-derived cells integrated within the host tissue and showed expected differentiated phenotypes i.e. enteric neurons, glia and smooth muscle-like cells following in vivo transplantation. Our data suggest biological effects of the transplanted NLB cells on tissue contractility, although robust statistical results could not be obtained due to the small sample size. Further, it is unclear, which of the NLB cell types including neural progenitors have direct restoring effects or, alternatively may act via 'bystander' mechanisms in vivo. Our findings provide further evidence that NLB transplantation can be considered as feasible tool to improve ENS function in a variety of gastrointestinal disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Susan Hetz
- Translational Centre for Regenerative Medicine, University of Leipzig, Leipzig, Germany
- Fraunhofer Institute for Cell Therapy and Immunology, Clinic-oriented Therapy Assessment Unit, Leipzig, Germany
| | - Ali Acikgoez
- Department of General and Visceral Surgery, St. George’s Hospital Leipzig, Leipzig, Germany
| | - Ulrike Voss
- Institute of Pharmacy, Pharmacology for Natural Sciences, University of Leipzig, Leipzig, Germany
| | - Karen Nieber
- Institute of Pharmacy, Pharmacology for Natural Sciences, University of Leipzig, Leipzig, Germany
| | - Heidrun Holland
- Translational Centre for Regenerative Medicine, University of Leipzig, Leipzig, Germany
| | - Cindy Hegewald
- Translational Centre for Regenerative Medicine, University of Leipzig, Leipzig, Germany
| | - Holger Till
- Department of Pediatric and Adolescent Surgery, Medical University of Graz, Graz, Austria
| | - Roman Metzger
- Department of Pediatrics and Adolescent Medicine, Salzburg County Hospital, Salzburg, Austria
| | - Marco Metzger
- Translational Centre for Regenerative Medicine, University of Leipzig, Leipzig, Germany
- Tissue Engineering and Regenerative Medicine, Fraunhofer IGB Project Group: Regenerative Technologies for Oncology, University Hospital Würzburg, Würzburg, Germany
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21
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Kahrilas PJ, Boeckxstaens G. The spectrum of achalasia: lessons from studies of pathophysiology and high-resolution manometry. Gastroenterology 2013; 145:954-65. [PMID: 23973923 PMCID: PMC3835179 DOI: 10.1053/j.gastro.2013.08.038] [Citation(s) in RCA: 132] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/08/2013] [Revised: 08/14/2013] [Accepted: 08/15/2013] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
Abstract
High-resolution manometry and recently described analysis algorithms, summarized in the Chicago Classification, have increased the recognition of achalasia. It has become apparent that the cardinal feature of achalasia, impaired lower esophageal sphincter relaxation, can occur in several disease phenotypes: without peristalsis, with premature (spastic) distal esophageal contractions, with panesophageal pressurization, or with peristalsis. Any of these phenotypes could indicate achalasia; however, without a disease-specific biomarker, no manometric pattern is absolutely specific. Laboratory studies indicate that achalasia is an autoimmune disease in which esophageal myenteric neurons are attacked in a cell-mediated and antibody-mediated immune response against an uncertain antigen. This autoimmune response could be related to infection of genetically predisposed subjects with herpes simplex virus 1, although there is substantial heterogeneity among patients. At one end of the spectrum is complete aganglionosis in patients with end-stage or fulminant disease. At the opposite extreme is type III (spastic) achalasia, which has no demonstrated neuronal loss but only impaired inhibitory postganglionic neuron function; it is often associated with accentuated contractility and could be mediated by cytokine-induced alterations in gene expression. Distinct from these extremes is progressive plexopathy, which likely arises from achalasia with preserved peristalsis and then develops into type II achalasia and then type I achalasia. Variations in its extent and rate of progression are likely related to the intensity of the cytotoxic T-cell assault on the myenteric plexus. Moving forward, we need to integrate the knowledge we have gained into treatment paradigms that are specific for individual phenotypes of achalasia and away from the one-size-fits-all approach.
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Affiliation(s)
- Peter J Kahrilas
- Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, Illinois.
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22
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Raghavan S, Gilmont RR, Bitar KN. Neuroglial differentiation of adult enteric neuronal progenitor cells as a function of extracellular matrix composition. Biomaterials 2013; 34:6649-58. [PMID: 23746858 DOI: 10.1016/j.biomaterials.2013.05.023] [Citation(s) in RCA: 38] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/26/2013] [Accepted: 05/11/2013] [Indexed: 12/25/2022]
Abstract
Enteric neuronal progenitor cells are neural crest-derived stem cells that can be isolated from fetal, post-natal and adult gut. Neural stem cell transplantation is an emerging therapeutic paradigm to replace dysfunctional or lost enteric neurons in several aganglionic disorders of the GI tract. The impetus to identify an appropriate microenvironment for enteric neuronal progenitor cells derives from the need to improve survival and phenotypic stability following implantation. Extracellular matrix composition can modulate stem cell fate and direct differentiation. Adult mammalian myenteric ganglia in vivo are surrounded by a matrix composed primarily of Collagen IV, Laminin and a Heparan sulfate proteoglycan. In these studies, adult mammalian enteric neuronal progenitor cells isolated from full thickness rabbit intestines were induced to differentiate when cultured on various combinations of neural ECM substrates. Neuronal and glial differentiation was studied as a function of ECM composition on coated glass coverslips. Poly-lysine coated coverslips (control) supported extensive glial differentiation but very minimal neuronal differentiation. Individual culture substrata (Laminin, Collagen I and Collagen IV) were conducive for both neuronal and glial differentiation. The addition of laminin or heparan sulfate to collagen substrates improved neuronal differentiation, significantly increased neurite lengths, branching and initiation of neuronal network formation. Glial differentiation was extensive on control poly lysine coated coverslips. Addition of laminin or heparan sulfate to composite collagen substrates significantly reduced glial immunofluorescence. Various neural ECM components were evaluated individually and in combination to study their effect of neuroglial differentiation of adult enteric neuronal progenitor cells. Our results indicate that specific ECM substrates that include type IV Collagen, laminin and heparan sulfate support and maintain neuronal and glial differentiation to different extents. Here, we identify a matrix composition optimized to tissue engineer transplantable innervated GI smooth muscle constructs to remedy aganglionic disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shreya Raghavan
- Wake Forest Institute for Regenerative Medicine, Wake Forest School of Medicine, Winston-Salem, NC 27101, USA
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23
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Hotta R, Stamp LA, Foong JPP, McConnell SN, Bergner AJ, Anderson RB, Enomoto H, Newgreen DF, Obermayr F, Furness JB, Young HM. Transplanted progenitors generate functional enteric neurons in the postnatal colon. J Clin Invest 2013; 123:1182-91. [PMID: 23454768 DOI: 10.1172/jci65963] [Citation(s) in RCA: 116] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/30/2012] [Accepted: 12/11/2012] [Indexed: 01/11/2023] Open
Abstract
Cell therapy has the potential to treat gastrointestinal motility disorders caused by diseases of the enteric nervous system. Many studies have demonstrated that various stem/progenitor cells can give rise to functional neurons in the embryonic gut; however, it is not yet known whether transplanted neural progenitor cells can migrate, proliferate, and generate functional neurons in the postnatal bowel in vivo. We transplanted neurospheres generated from fetal and postnatal intestinal neural crest-derived cells into the colon of postnatal mice. The neurosphere-derived cells migrated, proliferated, and generated neurons and glial cells that formed ganglion-like clusters within the recipient colon. Graft-derived neurons exhibited morphological, neurochemical, and electrophysiological characteristics similar to those of enteric neurons; they received synaptic inputs; and their neurites projected to muscle layers and the enteric ganglia of the recipient mice. These findings show that transplanted enteric neural progenitor cells can generate functional enteric neurons in the postnatal bowel and advances the notion that cell therapy is a promising strategy for enteric neuropathies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ryo Hotta
- Department of Anatomy and Neuroscience, University of Melbourne, Parkville, Victoria, Australia
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24
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Obermayr F, Hotta R, Enomoto H, Young HM. Development and developmental disorders of the enteric nervous system. Nat Rev Gastroenterol Hepatol 2013; 10:43-57. [PMID: 23229326 DOI: 10.1038/nrgastro.2012.234] [Citation(s) in RCA: 140] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
The enteric nervous system (ENS) arises from neural crest-derived cells that migrate into and along the gut, leading to the formation of a complex network of neurons and glial cells that regulates motility, secretion and blood flow. This Review summarizes the progress made in the past 5 years in our understanding of ENS development, including the migratory pathways of neural crest-derived cells as they colonize the gut. The importance of interactions between neural crest-derived cells, between signalling pathways and between developmental processes (such as proliferation and migration) in ensuring the correct development of the ENS is also presented. The signalling pathways involved in ENS development that were determined using animal models are also described, as is the evidence for the involvement of the genes encoding these molecules in Hirschsprung disease-the best characterized paediatric enteric neuropathy. Finally, the aetiology and treatment of Hirschsprung disease in the clinic and the potential involvement of defects in ENS development in other paediatric motility disorders are outlined.
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Affiliation(s)
- Florian Obermayr
- Department of Pediatric Surgery, University Children's Hospital, University of Tübingen, Hoppe-Seyler Straße 3, Tübingen 72076, Germany
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Goldstein AM, Hofstra RMW, Burns AJ. Building a brain in the gut: development of the enteric nervous system. Clin Genet 2012; 83:307-16. [PMID: 23167617 DOI: 10.1111/cge.12054] [Citation(s) in RCA: 110] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/02/2012] [Revised: 11/01/2012] [Accepted: 11/01/2012] [Indexed: 12/29/2022]
Abstract
The enteric nervous system (ENS), the intrinsic innervation of the gastrointestinal tract, is an essential component of the gut neuromusculature and controls many aspects of gut function, including coordinated muscular peristalsis. The ENS is entirely derived from neural crest cells (NCC) which undergo a number of key processes, including extensive migration into and along the gut, proliferation, and differentiation into enteric neurons and glia, during embryogenesis and fetal life. These mechanisms are under the molecular control of numerous signaling pathways, transcription factors, neurotrophic factors and extracellular matrix components. Failure in these processes and consequent abnormal ENS development can result in so-called enteric neuropathies, arguably the best characterized of which is the congenital disorder Hirschsprung disease (HSCR), or aganglionic megacolon. This review focuses on the molecular and genetic factors regulating ENS development from NCC, the clinical genetics of HSCR and its associated syndromes, and recent advances aimed at improving our understanding and treatment of enteric neuropathies.
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Affiliation(s)
- A M Goldstein
- Department of Pediatric Surgery, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
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26
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Becker L, Kulkarni S, Tiwari G, Micci MA, Pasricha PJ. Divergent fate and origin of neurosphere-like bodies from different layers of the gut. Am J Physiol Gastrointest Liver Physiol 2012; 302:G958-65. [PMID: 22361728 PMCID: PMC3362075 DOI: 10.1152/ajpgi.00511.2011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/31/2023]
Abstract
Enteric neural stem cells (ENSCs) are a population of neural crest-derived multipotent stem cells present in postnatal gut that may play an important role in regeneration of the enteric nervous system. In most studies, these cells have been isolated from the layer of the gut containing the myenteric plexus. However, a recent report demonstrated that neurosphere-like bodies (NLBs) containing ENSCs could be isolated from mucosal biopsy specimens from children, suggesting that ENSCs are present in multiple layers of the gut. The aim of our study was to assess whether NLBs isolated from layers of gut containing either myenteric or submucosal plexus are equivalent. We divided the mouse small intestine into two layers, one containing myenteric plexus and the other submucosal plexus, and assessed for NLB formation. Differences in NLB density, proliferation, apoptosis, neural crest origin, and phenotype were investigated. NLBs isolated from the myenteric plexus layer were present at a higher density and demonstrated greater proliferation, lower apoptosis, and higher expression of nestin, p75, Sox10, and Ret than those from submucosal plexus. Additionally, they contained a higher percentage of neural crest-derived cells (99.4 ± 1.5 vs. 0.7 ± 1.19% of Wnt1-cre:tdTomato cells; P < 0.0001) and produced more neurons and glial cells than those from submucosal plexus. NLBs from the submucosal plexus layer expressed higher CD34 and produced more smooth muscle-like cells. NLBs from the myenteric plexus layer contain more neural crest-derived ENSCs while those from submucosal plexus appear more heterogeneous, likely containing a population of mesenchymal stem cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Laren Becker
- 1Department of Medicine, Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Stanford University, Stanford, California; and
| | - Subhash Kulkarni
- 1Department of Medicine, Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Stanford University, Stanford, California; and
| | - Gunjan Tiwari
- 1Department of Medicine, Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Stanford University, Stanford, California; and
| | | | - Pankaj Jay Pasricha
- 1Department of Medicine, Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Stanford University, Stanford, California; and
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27
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Bitar KN, Raghavan S. Intestinal tissue engineering: current concepts and future vision of regenerative medicine in the gut. Neurogastroenterol Motil 2012; 24:7-19. [PMID: 22188325 PMCID: PMC3248673 DOI: 10.1111/j.1365-2982.2011.01843.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 33] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
Functional tissue engineering of the gastrointestinal (GI) tract is a complex process aiming to aid the regeneration of structural layers of smooth muscle, intrinsic enteric neuronal plexuses, specialized mucosa, and epithelial cells as well as interstitial cells. The final tissue-engineered construct is intended to mimic the native GI tract anatomically and physiologically. Physiological functionality of tissue-engineered constructs is of utmost importance while considering clinical translation. The construct comprises of cellular components as well as biomaterial scaffolding components. Together, these determine the immune response a tissue-engineered construct would elicit from a host upon implantation. Over the last decade, significant advances have been made to mitigate adverse host reactions. These include a quest for identifying autologous cell sources like embryonic and adult stem cells, bone marrow-derived cells, neural crest-derived cells, and muscle derived-stem cells. Scaffolding biomaterials have been fabricated with increasing biocompatibility and biodegradability. Manufacturing processes have advanced to allow for precise spatial architecture of scaffolds to mimic in vivo milieu closely and achieve neovascularization. This review will focus on the current concepts and the future vision of functional tissue engineering of the diverse neuromuscular structures of the GI tract from the esophagus to the internal anal sphincter.
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Affiliation(s)
- Khalil N. Bitar
- Address Correspondence to: Khalil N. Bitar, PhD., AGAF, Wake Forest Institute for Regenerative Medicine, 391 Technology Way, Winston-Salem NC 27101, Phone: (336) 713-1470, FAX: (336) 713-7290,
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