Jove
Visualize
Contact Us
JoVE
x logofacebook logolinkedin logoyoutube logo
ABOUT JoVE
OverviewLeadershipBlogJoVE Help Center
AUTHORS
Publishing ProcessEditorial BoardScope & PoliciesPeer ReviewFAQSubmit
LIBRARIANS
TestimonialsSubscriptionsAccessResourcesLibrary Advisory BoardFAQ
RESEARCH
JoVE JournalMethods CollectionsJoVE Encyclopedia of ExperimentsArchive
EDUCATION
JoVE CoreJoVE BusinessJoVE Science EducationJoVE Lab ManualFaculty Resource CenterFaculty Site
Terms & Conditions of Use
Privacy Policy
Policies

Related Concept Videos

Glial Cells01:04

Glial Cells

97.2K
Overview
97.2K
Nervous Tissue: Glial Cells01:31

Nervous Tissue: Glial Cells

12.8K
Glia, or neuroglia, are vital support cells that assist neurons in their functions. The term "glia" originates from the Greek word for "glue," reflecting their role in holding the nervous system together. These cells can be categorized into six types: four in the central nervous system (CNS) and two in the peripheral nervous system (PNS).
The CNS glial cell includes the astrocytes, the oligodendrocytes, the microglia, and the ependymal cells.
Astrocytes are star-shaped glial...
12.8K
Physiology of Enteric Nervous System and Gut Health01:05

Physiology of Enteric Nervous System and Gut Health

1.5K
The gastrointestinal tract, responsible for the digestion and absorption of nutrients, is safeguarded by the intestinal barrier, which consists of secretory, physical, and immune components. At the forefront is the secretory barrier, composed of essential elements such as mucus, gut microbiota, and defense proteins. They collaborate to break down food particles, facilitate nutrient absorption, and maintain optimal gut health. These secretory components ensure the smooth functioning of the...
1.5K
Nerve Supply of the GI Tract01:27

Nerve Supply of the GI Tract

4.4K
The neuronal supply to the gastrointestinal (GI) tract is essential for regulating various functions, including digestion, absorption, and movement of food. This intricate network of nerves is known as the enteric nervous system (ENS), often referred to as the "second brain" of the body.
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...
4.4K
Nervous Tissue: Myelin01:25

Nervous Tissue: Myelin

12.0K
The myelin sheath is a multilayered lipid and protein covering that insulates the axon of a neuron, enhancing the speed of nerve impulse conduction. Axons without this sheath are referred to as unmyelinated. Two types of neuroglia, Schwann cells in the peripheral nervous system (PNS) and oligodendrocytes in the central nervous system (CNS) are responsible for producing myelin sheaths.
Schwann cells begin to form myelin sheaths around axons during fetal development. They wrap around a small...
12.0K
Neurogenesis and Regeneration of Nervous Tissue01:15

Neurogenesis and Regeneration of Nervous Tissue

2.2K
In the CNS, neurogenesis, the birth of new neurons from stem cells, is limited to the hippocampus in adults. In other regions of the brain and spinal cord, neurogenesis is almost non-existent due to inhibitory influences from neuroglia, especially oligodendrocytes, and the absence of growth-stimulating cues. The myelin produced by oligodendrocytes in the CNS inhibits neuronal regeneration. Furthermore, astrocytes proliferate rapidly after neuronal damage, forming scar tissue that physically...
2.2K

You might also read

Related Articles

Articles linked to this work by shared authors, journal, and citation graph.

Sort by
Same author

Hyperglycemia promotes O-GlcNAcylation-dependent vulnerability and modulates temozolomide response in glioblastoma.

Biochemical and biophysical research communications·2026
Same author

Proangiogenic Properties of Extracellular Vesicles Secreted by Endothelial Cells Reversibly Primed for Anoikis: A Possible Autocrine Mechanism Induced by Astrocytoma Extracellular Matrix.

International journal of molecular sciences·2026
Same author

Eosinophil Biology Today-A Primer for Basic and Clinical Investigators.

Immunology·2026
Same author

Pharmacodynamic profile of Hexadimethrine Bromide-induced eosinophilia - Roles of pro-eosinophilic mediators.

European journal of pharmacology·2026
Same author

Role of TLR4 in Enteric Glia Response to Clostridioides Difficile Toxins: Insights From In Vivo and In Vitro Studies.

Journal of cellular and molecular medicine·2025
Same author

Apigenin Induces Autophagy and Apoptosis in Chemoresistant Glioblastoma Cells and Inhibits Tumorigenicity Associated with Regulation of Immunomodulatory Proteins and Glial Cells Response.

Cells·2025

Related Experiment Video

Updated: Apr 17, 2026

Isolation of Enteric Glial Cells from the Submucosa and Lamina Propria of the Adult Mouse
07:53

Isolation of Enteric Glial Cells from the Submucosa and Lamina Propria of the Adult Mouse

Published on: August 15, 2018

14.8K

The enteric glia: identity and functions.

Juliana de Mattos Coelho-Aguiar1, Ana Carina Bon-Frauches, Ana Lúcia Tavares Gomes

  • 1Instituto Estadual do Cérebro Paulo Niemeyer, Secretaria de Estado de Saúde do Rio de Janeiro - SES/RJ, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil; Instituto de Ciências Biomédicas, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.

Glia
|February 24, 2015
PubMed
Summary

Enteric glia, similar to astrocytes, play key roles in gut homeostasis and neuronal communication. Emerging research highlights their involvement in neurodegenerative and intestinal diseases.

Keywords:
astrocytesdifferentiationenteric gliaenteric nervous systemneural crest

More Related Videos

Dissection and Isolation of Murine Glia from Multiple Central Nervous System Regions
08:00

Dissection and Isolation of Murine Glia from Multiple Central Nervous System Regions

Published on: June 4, 2020

4.1K
Author Spotlight: Isolation and Characterization of Equine Submucosal Enteric Glia — Implications for Preventing Postoperative Complications in Colic Surgery
08:07

Author Spotlight: Isolation and Characterization of Equine Submucosal Enteric Glia — Implications for Preventing Postoperative Complications in Colic Surgery

Published on: October 4, 2024

935

Related Experiment Videos

Last Updated: Apr 17, 2026

Isolation of Enteric Glial Cells from the Submucosa and Lamina Propria of the Adult Mouse
07:53

Isolation of Enteric Glial Cells from the Submucosa and Lamina Propria of the Adult Mouse

Published on: August 15, 2018

14.8K
Dissection and Isolation of Murine Glia from Multiple Central Nervous System Regions
08:00

Dissection and Isolation of Murine Glia from Multiple Central Nervous System Regions

Published on: June 4, 2020

4.1K
Author Spotlight: Isolation and Characterization of Equine Submucosal Enteric Glia — Implications for Preventing Postoperative Complications in Colic Surgery
08:07

Author Spotlight: Isolation and Characterization of Equine Submucosal Enteric Glia — Implications for Preventing Postoperative Complications in Colic Surgery

Published on: October 4, 2024

935

Area of Science:

  • Neuroscience
  • Gastroenterology
  • Cell Biology

Background:

  • Enteric glial cells, discovered in the 19th century, have gained recent research attention.
  • These cells share functional and marker similarities with astrocytes of the central nervous system (CNS).

Purpose of the Study:

  • To review the development of the enteric nervous system (ENS) focusing on enteric glia.
  • To summarize the established roles of enteric glia in gastrointestinal homeostasis.
  • To discuss the emerging roles of enteric glia in ENS disorders.

Main Methods:

  • Literature review of studies on enteric glia.
  • Analysis of enteric glia's functions in the gut.
  • Examination of enteric glia's role in disease pathogenesis.

Main Results:

  • Enteric glia are crucial for intestinal barrier function, neuronal communication, and act as progenitor cells.
  • Enteric glia are implicated in maintaining gastrointestinal homeostasis.
  • Recent studies link enteric glia to neurodegenerative diseases (e.g., Parkinson's, prion diseases) and intestinal injury.

Conclusions:

  • Enteric glia are integral components of the ENS with diverse homeostatic functions.
  • Dysregulation of enteric glia contributes to various gastrointestinal and neurological disorders.
  • Further research into enteric glia offers therapeutic potential for ENS diseases.