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Enteric nervous system patterning in the avian hindgut
Author(s) -
Doyle Adele M.,
Roberts Drucilla J.,
Goldstein Allan M.
Publication year - 2004
Publication title -
developmental dynamics
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.634
H-Index - 141
eISSN - 1097-0177
pISSN - 1058-8388
DOI - 10.1002/dvdy.20011
Subject(s) - hindgut , neural crest , biology , enteric nervous system , myenteric plexus , anatomy , nervous system , gastrointestinal tract , cloaca , neuroscience , microbiology and biotechnology , embryo , immunohistochemistry , immunology , midgut , biochemistry , botany , larva
The enteric nervous system (ENS) is principally derived from vagal and sacral neural crest cells that migrate throughout the gastrointestinal tract before differentiating into neurons and glia. These cells form two concentric rings of ganglia and regulate intestinal motility, absorption, and secretion. Abnormalities of ENS development can lead to disorders of intestinal function, including Hirschsprung's disease. These disorders are generally limited to the distal hindgut, suggesting unique features to development of this region. This study characterized the normal spatiotemporal development of the ENS within the avian hindgut. Neural crest cells begin to populate the hindgut at E8, with patterning of both plexuses complete by embryonic day 9. Crest‐derived cells arrive in the submucosal layer before the myenteric layer, as well as differentiate to a neuronal phenotype first. The cloaca demonstrates a unique pattern, characterized by a disorganized myenteric plexus and a flattened nerve of Remak. Detailed understanding of normal avian hindgut ENS development will allow better utilization of this model system to study abnormalities of the intestinal nervous system. Developmental Dynamics 229:708–712, 2004 © 2004 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.