The Role Of The Enteric Nervous System In Regulating The Function Of The Gastrointestinal Epithelium
Normal functioning of the gastrointestinal tract involves the communication between multiple essential cell types located in close proximity, such as epithelial cells and the enteric nervous system (ENS). Studies have shown that intestinal epithelial stem cells express neurotransmitter receptors that may directly modulate stem cell fate and epithelial cell renewal upon activation. To test this, we aim to investigate the role of some of these candidate neurotransmitters in regulating the proliferation, differentiation and permeability of the epithelium using organoids as a model system. This may allow us to assess the contribution of the ENS in the progression of gastrointestinal diseases, which could be beneficial in providing targeted therapies for patients.