Abstract
We utilized the Cre-LoxP system to establish erbB2 conditional mutant mice in order to investigate the role of erbB2 in postnatal development of the enteric nervous system. The erbB2/nestin-Cre conditional mutants exhibit retarded growth, distended colons, and premature death, resembling human Hirschsprung's disease. Enteric neurons and glia are present at birth in the colon of erbB2/nestin-Cre mutants; however, a marked loss of multiple classes of enteric neurons and glia occurs by 3 weeks of age. Furthermore, we demonstrate that the requirement for erbB2 in maintaining the enteric nervous system is not cell autonomous, but rather erbB2 signaling in the colonic epithelia is required for the postnatal survival of enteric neurons and glia.
Publication types
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Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
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Research Support, U.S. Gov't, P.H.S.
MeSH terms
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Animals
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Animals, Newborn
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Cell Communication / genetics*
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Cell Survival / genetics*
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Chimera
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Colon / cytology
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Colon / growth & development*
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Colon / innervation*
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Disease Models, Animal
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Enteric Nervous System / cytology
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Enteric Nervous System / growth & development*
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Enteric Nervous System / metabolism
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Epithelial Cells / cytology
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Epithelial Cells / metabolism*
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Hirschsprung Disease / genetics
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Hirschsprung Disease / metabolism
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Hirschsprung Disease / physiopathology
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Integrases / genetics
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Intermediate Filament Proteins / genetics
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Mice
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Mice, Mutant Strains
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Mutagenesis, Site-Directed / genetics
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Mutation / genetics
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Nerve Tissue Proteins*
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Nestin
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Neuroglia / metabolism
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Neuroglia / pathology
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Neurons / metabolism
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Neurons / pathology
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Receptor, ErbB-2 / deficiency*
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Receptor, ErbB-2 / genetics
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Transgenes / genetics
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Viral Proteins / genetics
Substances
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Intermediate Filament Proteins
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NES protein, human
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Nerve Tissue Proteins
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Nes protein, mouse
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Nestin
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Viral Proteins
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Receptor, ErbB-2
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Cre recombinase
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Integrases