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Immunostaining to Visualize Murine Enteric Nervous System Development
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Postnatal Development of the Mouse Enteric Nervous System
1Department of Physiology, University of Melbourne, Parkville, VIC, 3010, Australia. j.foong@unimelb.edu.au.
Advances in Experimental Medicine and Biology
|July 6, 2016
Summary
Postnatal development of the enteric nervous system (ENS) is influenced by environmental factors, not just genetics. Understanding these factors may help prevent motility disorders.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Developmental Biology
- Gastroenterology
Background:
- Decades of research elucidated embryonic enteric nervous system (ENS) development.
- Recent findings reveal significant postnatal ENS maturation.
- Postnatal ENS development may be influenced by environmental factors, impacting motility disorders.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review recent advances in postnatal murine ENS development.
- To highlight potential environmental factors influencing ENS maturation.
- To identify future research directions in this emerging field.
Main Methods:
- Review of current literature on postnatal ENS development.
- Focus on animal models, particularly murine models.
- Analysis of genetic and environmental influences.
Main Results:
- Significant ENS maturation occurs postnatally.
- Environmental factors, alongside genetics, may regulate postnatal ENS development.
- Mouse models are crucial for studying human enteric neuropathies.
Conclusions:
- Postnatal ENS development is a critical area requiring further investigation.
- Identifying environmental factors could lead to novel therapeutic strategies for motility disorders.
- Future research should focus on elucidating the interplay between genetics and environment in postnatal ENS development.
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