Function and dysfunction of enteric glia

Abstract

Publisher Summary The chapter reviews the tentative functions of enteric glial cells (EGC), and considers the consequences of EGC dysfunction or ablation in the gastrointestinal tract. It discusses that EGC of the gastrointestinal tract constitute an extensive population of the enteric nervous system (ENS), and they show morphological and functional similarities to CNS-derived astrocytes. It provides trophic and cytoprotective functions toward enteric neurons and are likely to be actively involved in the regulation of neuronal activity. Transgenic models of EGC ablation have confirmed this neuroprotective role within the ENS, in addition to demonstrating a role for EGC in regulating intestinal immune responses. The chapter reviews that in a fashion akin to astrocytes, EGC ables to present antigens to T-lymphocytes and may contribute to mucosal cytokine profiles that result in intestinal inflammation. EGC also perform other novel functions, such as directly regulating mucosal and vascular integrity, and as such may be an important target cell in inflammatory and permeability disorders of the gastrointestinal tract. Hence, it concludes that EGC are also important regulators of mucosal immune responses, and of mucosal and vascular permeability in the gastrointestinal tract.