HIV, opiates, and enteric neuron dysfunction

Development of enteric neuron diversity

The mature enteric nervous system (ENS) is composed of many different neuron subtypes and enteric glia, which all arise from the neural crest. How this diversity is generated from neural crest-derived cells is a central question in neurogastroenterology, as defects in these processes are likely to underlie some paediatric motility disorders. Here we review the developmental appearance (the earl...

Substance abuse and HIV-gp120: are opiates protective?

There has long been a popular conceptual linkage between human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) acquisition and substance abuse involving "needles". Indeed, in vitro studies demonstrate that these substances promote the replication of HIV. Included in these in vitro studies is a linkage or association of tissue damage and viral load with the actions HIV envelope protein gp120 with substances of abu...

Enteric Glia Mediate Neuron Death in Colitis

Environmental enteric dysfunction: an overview.

BACKGROUND Environmental enteric dysfunction (EED) refers to an incompletely defined syndrome of inflammation, reduced absorptive capacity, and reduced barrier function in the small intestine. It is widespread among children and adults in low- and middle-income countries. Understanding of EED and its possible consequences for health is currently limited. OBJECTIVE A narrative review of the cu...

An Exposome Perspective on Environmental Enteric Dysfunction

BACKGROUND Environmental exposures to chemicals have been shown to influence gastrointestinal function, yet little is known regarding whether chemical mixtures may be involved in the development of a subclinical enteric dysfunction found in infants and children born into poor hygiene and sanitation. Advances in gastrointestinal and immunotoxicology fields merit inclusion in complex discussions ...