Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jul 13, 2026

Immunostaining to Visualize Murine Enteric Nervous System Development
Published on: April 29, 2015
Demonstration of functional neuronal beta3-adrenoceptors within the enteric nervous system
Selim Cellek1, Ramkumar Thangiah, Anna K Bassil
1Neurology and Gastrointestinal Centre of Excellence in Drug Discovery, GlaxoSmithKline, Harlow, United Kingdom. Selim.2.Cellek@gsk.com <Selim.2.Cellek@gsk.com>
Background & Aims:
Although the beta(3)-adrenoceptor (AR) has been suggested to be involved in regulation of gut motility and visceral algesia, the precise mechanisms have been unknown. beta(3)-AR has been postulated to have a nonneuronal expression, being initially characterized in adipocytes and subsequently in the smooth muscle. We aimed to investigate the expression of beta(3)-AR in human enteric nervous system and its role in motility and visceral algesia.
Methods:
The expression of beta(3)-AR in human colon myenteric and submucosal plexus was investigated using immunohistochemistry. The effects of a beta(3)-AR agonist on nerve-evoked and carbachol-induced contractions as well as somatostatin release were investigated in strips of human colon. The effect of an agonist on diarrhea and visceral pain was investigated in vivo in rat models.
Results:
beta(3)-AR is expressed in cholinergic neurons in the myenteric plexus and submucosal plexus of human colon. Activation of beta(3)-AR causes the release of somatostatin from human isolated colon. In a rat model of visceral pain, beta(3)-AR agonist elicits somatostatin-dependent visceral analgesia. beta(3)-AR agonists inhibit cholinergically mediated muscle contraction of the human colon, as well as chemically induced diarrhea in vivo in a rat model.
Conclusions:
This is the first demonstration of expression of beta(3)-AR in the enteric nervous system. Activation of these receptors results in inhibition of cholinergic contractions and enhanced release of somatostatin, which may lead to visceral analgesia and inhibition of diarrhea. Therefore, beta(3)-AR could be a novel therapeutic target for functional gastrointestinal disorders.
Related Concept Videos
Sympathetic Signaling
Sympathetic preganglionic fibers release the neurotransmitter acetylcholine (ACh) onto the ganglionic neurons in the...
Adrenergic Receptors: β Subtype
Isoprenaline > Adrenaline > Noradrenaline
Neurotransmitter binding to these receptors causes activation of adenylyl cyclase resulting in increased concentrations of cAMP and modulation of calcium ion channels within the cell. They are further classified into β1, β2, and β3 subtypes.
β1-adrenoceptors: β1-adrenoceptors have equal affinities for...
Enteric Nervous System: Regulation of GI Motor Activity
During periods of fasting, the ENS initiates the migrating myoelectric complex, a program...
Adrenergic Receptors (Adrenoceptors): Classification
α-Adrenoceptors
α-Adrenoceptors are classified into two main subtypes: α1 and α2. The α1 adrenoceptors, which are found on postsynaptic...
Adrenergic Neurons: Neurotransmission
Synthesis: Catecholamine synthesis requires tyrosine, which is taken...
Nerve Supply of the GI Tract
The enteric nervous system consists of two major plexuses: the myenteric plexus (Auerbach's plexus) and the submucosal plexus (Meissner's plexus). These plexuses are located within the layers of the GI tract...

