Investigating the role of the mesentery in the innervation of the gut and enteric nervous system during embryological development ‐ an immunohistochemistry approach

Abstract

Listen

Translate article

Recent clarification of mesenteric anatomy has indicated that, unlike classical descriptions, the intestines are enveloped in a continuous, rather than a fragmented mesentery. This has prompted a need to re‐examine its development and it anatomical relationships with the developing gastrointestinal tract(GIT). Advances in understanding the development of the mesenteric tissues has also highlighted its potential role as a facilitator of neural crest cell migration during enteric nervous system development. Furthermore spatial and temporal differences in the nature of the mesentery may influence how the different regions of the GIT develop.The aim of this research is to describe the development of the mesentery, gut and enteric nervous system independently and subsequently determine how each of these components relates to each other during development. Of particular interest is clarifying the manner in which efferent and afferent autonomic fibres develop, traverse the mesentery and, ultimately innervate the gut and the enteric nervous system. Histological and immunohistochemical approaches are being employed to highlight autonomic axons and mesenteric components of rat tissue at different embryonic ages. Animal procedures were in accordance with Republic of Ireland Department of Health and Children license. Immunohistochemical analysis of serially sectioned rat embryos at embryonic days 12, 14 and 16 is being undertaken, which will allow detailed microscopic confirmation of the continuous mesenteric structure, arising from its primitive mesodermal framework, and will illuminate the process underpinning how autonomic fibres are distributed to the GIT. A further objective is to advance this study of mesenteric development in rodent tissue to human embryonic tissue and, ultimately, to describe key molecular determinants of mesenteric‐directed axonal pathfinding. This will address the paucity of information available on the development and anatomical course of peripheral nerves through the mesentery in the human. An understanding of the developmental innervation of the mesentery and gut has implications for advancing knowledge of normal anatomy as well as relevant pathological states such as Hirschsprung’s Disease.