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Updated: Apr 29, 2026

Author Spotlight: Robust Culture of Human Enteric Neurons from Human Pluripotent Stem Cells
Published on: May 17, 2024
Enteric nervous system cell replacement therapy for Hirschsprung disease: beyond tissue-engineered intestine
Wael El-Nachef1, Tracy Grikscheit1
1Department of Pediatric Surgery, Children's Hospital Los Angeles, Los Angeles, California, United States.
Abstract:
Hirschsprung disease (HD), a neurocristopathy characterized by failed migration of neural crest cells to the distal colon, requires surgical resection of the aganglionic segment. Advances in stem cell and regenerative medicine research have opened the possibility to treat HD less invasively using enteric nervous system (ENS) cell replacement therapy. This article reviews the progress to date of culturing and delivering ENS stem cells in various in vitro and in vivo models, as well as review the available evidence of functionality of the transplant-derived cells. Potential areas of future study are identified, and application of conditions other than HD is briefly discussed.
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