Open AccessModulation of specific intestinal epithelial progenitors by enteric neurons
Author(s) -
Matthew Bjerknes,
Hazel Cheng
Publication year - 2001
Publication title -
proceedings of the national academy of sciences of the united states of america
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
eISSN - 1091-6490
pISSN - 0027-8424
DOI - 10.1073/pnas.211278098
Subject(s) - proglucagon , intestinal epithelium , epithelium , microbiology and biotechnology , enteric nervous system , glucagon like peptide 2 , progenitor cell , biology , tetrodotoxin , receptor , gastrointestinal epithelium , glucagon like peptide 1 , endocrinology , stem cell , peptide , biochemistry , genetics , type 2 diabetes , diabetes mellitus
The proglucagon-derived peptide glucagon-like peptide 2 (GLP-2), a product of a subset of gut epithelial cells, is pursued clinically for its ability to stimulate gut epithelial growth and repair. Here we show that although specific epithelial progenitors respond to GLP-2 administration, the epithelium does not express the GLP-2 receptor. Rather, enteric neurons express the receptor, respond to GLP-2, and transmit a signal (which can be blocked by the voltage-gated sodium channel inhibitor tetrodotoxin) back to the epithelium. Thus the nervous system is a key component of a feedback loop regulating epithelial growth and repair.