Article ID Journal Published Year Pages File Type
4301255 Journal of Surgical Research 2012 9 Pages PDF
Abstract

BackgroundEnteric cells, a mixture of cells isolated from the longitudinal and circular muscle of the gut, may contain neural crest stem cells (NCSCs) and therefore may be a potential source to regenerate the enteric nervous system.Materials and MethodsBenzylalkonium chloride (BAC) was employed to ablate the myenteric and submucosal plexi of the rodent jejunum. Enteric cells were then injected into this BAC-treated segment of the jejunum either with or without basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF) mixed in collagen.ResultsExpression of peripherin, S100, and synaptophysin were found in all of the cell injection sites. Peripherin and S100 expression appeared in close proximity in ganglion-like structures when bFGF was injected simultaneously with enteric cells. Synapses that were formed in the presence of bFGF were elongated compared with those formed in the absence of exogenously delivered bFGF. A small percentage of enteric cells expressed peripherin in the injection site after transplantation.ConclusionsEnteric cells transplanted with collagen and bFGF in an aganglionic segment of jejunum regenerated ganglion-like structures and may hold potential as a cellular therapeutic for various motility disorders of the gastrointestinal tract.

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