Characterization of Neurochemical Signature Alterations in the Enteric Nervous System in Autoimmune Encephalomyelitis

To date, it has remained unclear whether gastrointestinal symptoms, which are frequently observed in patients with multiple sclerosis (MS), accompanied by pathology of the enteric nervous system (ENS). Here, neurotransmitter signature ENS neurons and morphological alterations interstitial cells Cajal (ICCs) were studied MS mice experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis (EAE), is an animal model MS. Immunohistochemical analysis was performed on colonic whole mounts from EAE paraffin-embedded sections intestinal tissue Antibodies against neurotransmitters or their enzymes (including vasoactive peptide (VIP), neuronal nitric oxide synthase (nNOS), choline acetyltransferase (ChAT)) used conjunction pan-neuronal markers. In addition, presence anoctamin 1 (ANO1)-expressing ICCs studied. changes myenteric plexus, but they absent submucosal plexus both There a significant decrease percentage ChAT-positive as opposed to trend toward increase Moreover, while ANO1 expression decreased mice, displayed increase. Although additional studies necessary accomplish in-depth characterization MS, our results imply that such exist may reveal novel insights into pathophysiology