Grant: Discovery Launch Supplement

The enteric nervous system (ENS), often referred to as our "second brain," resides in our digestive tract and plays a vital role in controlling how our digestive system functions. It's made up of millions of neurons and glial cells, and it's essential for our overall health. However, there's still much we don't know about this mysterious network. One particular group of cells in the ENS, called enteric glial cells (EGCs), has been traditionally seen as support cells for neurons. Recent research has challenged this view, suggesting that EGCs play a more central role in regulating gastrointestinal functions. To better understand this, we've used advanced techniques to study EGCs at the individual cell level. Our initial findings have revealed the existence of new EGC populations expressing specific genes in mice. Over the next five years, our research will focus on studying these newly discovered EGC populations, specifically those expressing the Slc18a2 gene. We have several key objectives: Aim 1: We aim to determine where and in what proportion these Slc18a2+ EGCs are located in the mouse colon during the postnatal period. We'll do this by carefully examining the distribution of these cells in different parts of the colon at different ages. Aim 2: We'll investigate what role these Slc18a2+EGCs play in the colon. To do this, we will use a special mouse model to selectively remove these cells at various stages of development and then assess how it affects gastrointestinal functions, such as colonic transit, intestinal barrier integrity, microbiota composition, and the immune system. In conclusion, our research is essential for deepening our understanding of EGCs and their vital role in the gut's function. By identifying and characterizing these new EGC populations, we are paving the way for a more comprehensive understanding of these intriguing cells. This research has the potential to shed light on specific roles played by EGCs in the field of neurogastroenterology and beyond.