Enteric nervous system development and Hirschsprung's disease: advances in genetic and stem cell studies.
The enteric nervous system (ENS) has been explored by developmental neurobiologists and medical researchers for decades. Whereas developmental biologists have been unravelling the molecular mechanisms underlying the migration, proliferation and differentiation of the neural crest derivatives that give rise to the ENS, human geneticists have been uncovering the genetic basis for diseases of the ENS, notably Hirschsprung's disease. Here we discuss the exciting recent advances, including novel transgenic and genetic tools, a broadening range of model organisms, and the pursuit of ENS stem cells as a therapeutic tool, that are bringing these fields closer together.
Heanue
Tiffany A
TA
Division of Molecular Neurobiology, MRC National Institute for Medical Research, The Ridgeway, Mill Hill, London NW7 1AA, UK.
Pachnis
Vassilis
V
D000818:Animals; D002454:Cell Differentiation / Q000235:genetics; D002465:Cell Movement / Q000235:genetics; D017615:Enteric Nervous System / Q000196:embryology* / Q000378:metabolism / Q000503:physiopathology; D018507:Gene Expression Regulation, Developmental / Q000235:genetics*; D006627:Hirschsprung Disease / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism / Q000503:physiopathology*; D006801:Humans; D009432:Neural Crest / Q000196:embryology / Q000378:metabolism / Q000503:physiopathology; D009474:Neurons / Q000166:cytology / Q000502:physiology; D017475:Receptors, Nerve Growth Factor / Q000235:genetics; D015398:Signal Transduction / Q000235:genetics; D013234:Stem Cells / Q000166:cytology / Q000502:physiology*
D017475:Receptors, Nerve Growth Factor