Vascular tissues that supports migration of enteric neural progenitors

2014 Fiscal Year Final Research Report

• Project Area: Vasculo-neural wiring and their interdependent crosstalk
• Project/Area Number: 22122005
• Research Category: Grant-in-Aid for Scientific Research on Innovative Areas (Research in a proposed research area)
• Allocation Type: Single-year Grants
• Review Section: Biological Sciences
• Research Institution: Kobe University (2013-2014); The Institute of Physical and Chemical Research (2010-2012)
• Principal Investigator: ENOMOTO HIDEKI 神戸大学, 医学(系)研究科(研究院), 教授 (00360511)
• Co-Investigator(Renkei-kenkyūsha): UESAKA Toshihiro 神戸大学, 大学院医学研究科, 講師 (90304451) ; ITO Keisuke 神戸大学, 大学院医学研究科, 助教 (10575468)
• Project Period (FY): 2010-04-01 – 2015-03-31
• Keywords: 神経発生 / 細胞移動 / 血管発生 / 神経堤細胞 / 神経前駆細胞 / 腸管神経系 / ヒルシュスプルング病 / イメージング

Outline of Final Research Achievements

In this study we conducted cellular and molecular analyses on neuro-vascular interactions in the development of the enteric nervous system (ENS). By performing live-cell imaging of enteric neural progenitors and vasculature in mice, we examined cell behavior in developing ENS. We have discovered that a subset of enteric neural progenitors crosses the mesentery when the small and large intestines are juxtaposed to each other during development. Trans-mesenteric enteric neural progenitors are the principal source of the ENS in the colon, and impaired trans-mesenteric migration delays colonization of the colon by enteric neural progenitors. Moreover, trans-mesenteric enteric progenitors are reduced in a mouse model of Hirschsprung disease (HSCR: congenital absence of the ENS in the distal gut), suggesting a potential involvement of impaired trans-mesenteric migration in HSCR pathogenesis. We have also discovered that GDNF is one of the molecules that regulate trans-mesenteric migration.

Free Research Field

神経発生、神経病理