Equine Enteric Glial Culture and Application to the Study of a Neural Inflammatory Mechanism in Equine Colic.

This research explored the role of a unique type of intestinal cell known as enteric glia in sensing inflammation in the digestive system of horses. The study developed a method to culture these cells and examined how they might influence intestinal inflammation during an acute abdominal condition known as equine colic.

Background

• Equine colic, or acute abdomen in horses, is a dangerous condition that often results in hospitalization, high costs, and patient discomfort, and can potentially be life-threatening.
• A unique type of intestinal cells, known as enteric glia, are increasingly recognized for their ability to sense changes in the gastrointestinal environment and communicate with other cell types.
• The researchers were interested in exploring how interactions between enteric glia and intestinal epithelia (cells that line the interior of the intestine) could influence inflammation during both health and disease states, particularly during equine colic.

Methodology

• Primary enteric glial cultures were derived from horses euthanized for reasons not related to colic. Intestinal villi (tiny projections in the intestine that increase its surface area for absorption) and lamina propria (a thin layer of connective tissue) were micro-dissected to expose the submucosa (the layer of tissue just below the mucous membrane of the intestine).
• After an enzymatic digestion process, the isolated submucosa was mechanically digested. The resulting product was used to plate enteric glial cells.
• Once the cells had grown to confluence (i.e., fully covered the surface of their culture plate), the researchers exposed them to varying concentrations of the inflammation-inducing protein, interleukin-1β (IL-1β).

Findings and Implication

• The researchers used a model to mimic the interactions between enteric glia and epithelial cells during colic. The medium in which the cultured glial cells were grown was added to monolayers of equine jejunal cells. The level of transepithelial electrical resistance (TEER) – which provides a measure of the integrity of cellular barriers – was then measured.
• This study provides valuable insights into how enteric glia might contribute to inflammation in the gastrointestinal tract of horses during health and disease states.
• The method for culturing equine enteric glia could be used in future research on equine gastrointestinal diseases, potentially leading to new treatment strategies for conditions like equine colic.