[The Enteric Glia and Neurotrophic Factors]

Enteric glia cells (EGCs) play an important role in the maintenance of tissue integrity in the gastrointestinal tract. Thus, genetic ablation of glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP)-positive EGCs in mice induced fatal haemorrhagic jejuno-ileitis and led to death within a few days. The exact mechanisms of EGC to contribute to gut homeostasis remain enigmatic. Several lines of evidence implicate that the secretion of neurotrophic factors by EGC may be a part of the glial regulation of gut homoeostasis. The secretion of glia cell-derived neurotrophic factor (GDNF), nerve growth factor (NGF) and transforming growth factor-beta (TGF-beta) contributes to the maintenance of epithelial integrity and the secretion of endothelins might be involved in vasoregulation. These new aspects of intestinal glial functions implicate new therapeutic strategies for diseases like Crohn's disease and irritable bowel syndrome.