Enteric nervous plasticity and development: dependence on neurotrophic factors.
The enteric nervous system in the mammalian gut is histologically and to some extent functionally similar to the central nervous system. Thus, structural and functional similarities between these systems are evident. As shown for the central nervous system, differentiation of neural crest-derived precursor cells of the enteric nervous system also depends essentially on different neurotrophic factors. Moreover, recent studies have revealed that these trophic factors also play a critical role throughout life by regulating neurotransmitter and neuropeptide synthesis, and by influencing neuronal morphology and synaptic functions. Consequently, our understanding of these complex interactions of the enteric nervous system and neurotrophic factors requires synergistic efforts from neurophysiology, biochemistry, and pharmacology in order to understand the complex phenomena of enteric nervous development and plasticity in the gut. Knowledge of these mechanisms might help to develop strategies for therapy of neuronal abnormalities, which cause different gastrointestinal diseases.
First Department of Medicine, University Hospital of Ulm, Robert-Koch-Strasse 8, 89081 Ulm, Germany.
Georg B T
GB
von Boyen
Max
M
Reinshagen
Martin
M
Steinkamp
Guido
G
Adler
Joachim
J
Kirsch
D000818:Animals; D002470:Cell Survival / Q000502:physiology; D051100:Glial Cell Line-Derived Neurotrophic Factor; D006801:Humans; D007422:Intestines / Q000196:embryology / Q000294:innervation*; D009414:Nerve Growth Factors / Q000502:physiology*; D009473:Neuronal Plasticity / Q000502:physiology*; D020933:Neurotrophin 3 / Q000502:physiology
C495039:GDNF protein, human; D051100:Glial Cell Line-Derived Neurotrophic Factor; D009414:Nerve Growth Factors; D020933:Neurotrophin 3