Gut innervation and enteric nervous system development: a spatial, temporal and molecular tour de force

Area of Science:

• Developmental Biology
• Neuroscience
• Gastroenterology

Background:

• The gut is innervated by intrinsic (enteric) and extrinsic nerves during embryonic development.
• Proper gut function relies on the complex interplay of these neural components.

Purpose of the Study:

• To review the development of mammalian enteric nervous system (ENS) and extrinsic innervation.
• To highlight the importance of gut innervation's 3D architecture and developmental axes.
• To discuss factors influencing gut innervation development, including microbial, nutritional, and neuroimmune cues.

Main Methods:

• Literature review focusing on mammalian ENS development.
• Analysis of the three-dimensional architecture of gut innervation.
• Synthesis of recent findings on intrinsic and extrinsic innervation formation.

Main Results:

• Intrinsic innervation development is well-understood, while extrinsic innervation development requires further investigation.
• Differences in development along longitudinal and circumferential gut axes are significant.
• Microbial, nutritional, and neuroimmune factors can influence gut innervation development.

Conclusions:

• Understanding the development of both intrinsic and extrinsic gut innervation is critical for ensuring proper gut function.
• Further research into extrinsic innervation and influencing factors is warranted.
• Key molecules involved in gut innervation development are identified.