Enteric glia at center stage of inflammatory bowel disease
Catherine Le Berre1, Philippe Naveilhan2, Malvyne Rolli-Derkinderen2
1Hépato-Gastro-Entérologie et Assistance Nutritionnelle, Inserm CIC 1413, Institut des Maladies de l'Appareil Digestif (IMAD), CHU Nantes, 1 place Alexis Ricordeau, F-44000 Nantes, France; Nantes Université, CHU Nantes, INSERM, The Enteric Nervous System in Gut and Brain Disorders, IMAD, 1 rue Gaston Veil, 44035 Nantes Cedex 1, F-44000 Nantes, France.
Abstract:
Although our understanding of the pathophysiology of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) is increasing, the expanding body of knowledge does not simplify the equation but rather reveals diverse, interconnected, and complex mechanisms in IBD. In addition to immune overactivation, defects in intestinal epithelial barrier (IEB) functioning, dysbiosis, and structural and functional abnormalities of the enteric nervous system are emerging as new elements contributing to the development of IBD. In addition to molecular changes in IBD, enteric glia from patients with Crohn's disease (CD) exhibits the inability to strengthen the IEB; these defects are not observed in patients with ulcerative colitis. In addition, there is a growing body of work describing that enteric glia interacts with not only enterocytes and enteric neurons but also other local cellular neighbours. Thus, because of their functions as connectors and regulators of immune cells, IEB, and microbiota, enteric glia could be the keystone of digestive homeostasis that is lacking in patients with CD.
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