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Updated: May 16, 2025
10:34
An In-vitro Preparation of Isolated Enteric Neurons and Glia from the Myenteric Plexus of the Adult Mouse
Published on: August 7, 2013
26.8K
The enteric nervous system is 10 times stiffer than the brain
Nicolas R Chevalier1, Alexis Peaucelle2, Thomas Guilbert3
1Laboratoire Matière et Systèmes Complexes, Université Paris Cité, CNRS UMR 7057, Paris, France.
Biophysical Journal
|May 15, 2025
Summary
The enteric nervous system, unlike the brain, withstands mechanical stress due to its unique properties. Enteric ganglia are significantly more resistant to deformation than brain tissue, protecting the gut's neural network.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Biophysics
- Gastroenterology
Background:
- The central nervous system is protected by bone, but the enteric nervous system (ENS) operates in a mechanically demanding environment.
- Understanding the mechanical properties of ENS neurons and glia is crucial for comprehending its resilience.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the mechanical properties of enteric ganglia in adult mice.
- To compare the biomechanical resilience of the ENS to that of the central nervous system.
Main Methods:
- Nano-indentation was employed to measure the mechanical properties of enteric ganglia.
- Immunohistochemistry and second harmonic generation imaging were used to analyze tissue composition, including collagen.
Main Results:
- Enteric ganglia demonstrated an order of magnitude greater resistance to deformation compared to brain tissue.
- Glia-rich and neuron-rich regions within ganglia exhibited similar stiffness (∼3 kPa at 3 μm, ∼7 kPa at 8 μm depth).
- The surrounding collagenous structures, including the ganglia shell and inter-ganglionic fibers, likely contribute significantly to the ENS's mechanical strength.
Conclusions:
- Enteric ganglia possess distinct mechanical properties that enable them to withstand chronic mechanical stress.
- The collagenous extracellular matrix plays a vital role in the structural integrity and resilience of the enteric nervous system.
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