Enteric glia mediate neuronal outgrowth through release of neurotrophic factors

Enteric glia (EG) cells, found in the gut, share similarities with brain cells and can be obtained from a patient's own intestine. Transplanting EG into the injured central nervous system (CNS) could promote nerve regeneration. Neurotrophic factors are proteins that support neuronal growth and survival. This study tests if enteric glia secrete neurotrophic factors like NGF, BDNF, GDNF, and NT-3, and if this secretion impacts neurite growth. The study found that enteric glia release NGF, BDNF, and GDNF, and that neutralizing these factors reduces neurite outgrowth. This suggests that enteric glia's beneficial effects are mediated, in part, by these neurotrophic factors.

• 1
  Primary enteric glia release nerve growth factor, brain-derived neurotrophic factor and glial cell line-derived neurotrophic factor into culture medium.
• 2
  Enteric glia stimulate neurite branching of dorsal root ganglion neurons.
• 3
  The beneficial effect of enteric glia on neurite of dorsal root ganglion neurons is, in part, regulated by the release of neurotrophic factors including nerve growth factor, brain-derived neurotrophic factor and glial cell line-derived neurotrophic factor, and neurotrophin-3.