@article{HetzAcikgoezMolletal.2014,
  author    = {Hetz, Susan and Acikgoez, Ali and Moll, Corinna and Jahnke, Heinz-Georg and Robitzki, Andrea A. and Metzger, Roman and Metzger, Marco},
  title     = {Age-related gene expression analysis in enteric ganglia of human colon after laser microdissection},
  series = {Frontiers in Aging Neuroscience},
  volume    = {6},
  journal   = {Frontiers in Aging Neuroscience},
  issn      = {1663-4365},
  doi       = {10.3389/fnagi.2014.00276},
  url       = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-118308},
  pages     = {276},
  year      = {2014},
  abstract  = {The enteric nervous system (ENS) poses the intrinsic innervation of the gastrointestinal tract and plays a critical role for all stages of postnatal life. There is increasing scientific and clinical interest in acquired or age-related gastrointestinal dysfunctions that can be manifested in diseases such as gut constipation or fecal incontinence. In this study, we sought to analyze age-dependent changes in the gene expression profile of the human ENS, particularly in the myenteric plexus. Therefore, we used the laser microdissection technique which has been proven as a feasible tool to analyze distinct cell populations within heterogeneously composed tissues. Full biopsy gut samples were prepared from children (4-12 months), middle aged (48-58 years) and aged donors (70-95 years). Cryosections were histologically stained with H\&E, the ganglia of the myenteric plexus identified and RNA isolated using laser microdissection technique. Quantitative PCR was performed for selected neural genes, neurotransmitters and receptors. Data were confirmed on protein level using NADPH-diaphorase staining and immunohistochemistry. As result, we demonstrate age-associated alterations in site-specific gene expression pattern of the ENS. Thus, in the adult and aged distal parts of the colon a marked decrease in relative gene expression of neural key genes like NGFR, RET, NOS1 and a concurrent increase of CHAT were observed. Further, we detected notable regional differences of RET, CHAT, TH, and S100B comparing gene expression in aged proximal and distal colon. Interestingly, markers indicating cellular senescence or oxidative stress (SNCA, CASP3, CAT, SOD2, and TERT) were largely unchanged within the ENS. For the first time, our study also describes the age-dependent expression pattern of all major sodium channels within the ENS. Our results are in line with previous studies showing spatio-temporal differences within the mammalian ENS.},
  language  = {en}
}
@article{HetzAcikgoezVossetal.2014,
  author    = {Hetz, Susan and Acikgoez, Ali and Voss, Ulrike and Nieber, Karen and Holland, Heidrun and Hegewald, Cindy and Till, Holger and Metzger, Roman and Metzger, Marco},
  title     = {In Vivo Transplantation of Neurosphere-Like Bodies Derived from the Human Postnatal and Adult Enteric Nervous System: A Pilot Study},
  series = {PLOS ONE},
  volume    = {9},
  journal   = {PLOS ONE},
  number    = {4},
  doi       = {10.1371/journal.pone.0093605},
  url       = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-116793},
  pages     = {e93605},
  year      = {2014},
  abstract  = {Recent advances in the in vitro characterization of human adult enteric neural progenitor cells have opened new possibilities for cell-based therapies in gastrointestinal motility disorders. However, whether these cells are able to integrate within an in vivo gut environment is still unclear. In this study, we transplanted neural progenitor-containing neurosphere-like bodies (NLBs) in a mouse model of hypoganglionosis and analyzed cellular integration of NLB-derived cell types and functional improvement. NLBs were propagated from postnatal and adult human gut tissues. Cells were characterized by immunohistochemistry, quantitative PCR and subtelomere fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH). For in vivo evaluation, the plexus of murine colon was damaged by the application of cationic surfactant benzalkonium chloride which was followed by the transplantation of NLBs in a fibrin matrix. After 4 weeks, grafted human cells were visualized by combined in situ hybridization (Alu) and immunohistochemistry (PGP9.5, GFAP, SMA). In addition, we determined nitric oxide synthase (NOS)-positive neurons and measured hypertrophic effects in the ENS and musculature. Contractility of treated guts was assessed in organ bath after electrical field stimulation. NLBs could be reproducibly generated without any signs of chromosomal alterations using subtelomere FISH. NLB-derived cells integrated within the host tissue and showed expected differentiated phenotypes i.e. enteric neurons, glia and smooth muscle-like cells following in vivo transplantation. Our data suggest biological effects of the transplanted NLB cells on tissue contractility, although robust statistical results could not be obtained due to the small sample size. Further, it is unclear, which of the NLB cell types including neural progenitors have direct restoring effects or, alternatively may act via 'bystander' mechanisms in vivo. Our findings provide further evidence that NLB transplantation can be considered as feasible tool to improve ENS function in a variety of gastrointestinal disorders.},
  language  = {en}
}