The Enteric Nervous System for Epithelial Researchers: Basic Anatomy, Techniques, and Interactions With the Epithelium

The intestinal epithelium does not function in isolation, but interacts with many components including the Enteric Nervous System (ENS). Understanding ENS and intestinal epithelium interactions requires multidisciplinary approaches to uncover cells involved, mechanisms used, and the ultimate influence on intestinal physiology. This review is intended to serve as a reference for epithelial biologists interested in studying these interactions. With this in mind, this review aims to summarize the basic anatomy of the epithelium and ENS, mechanisms by which they interact, and techniques used to study these interactions. We highlight in vitro, ex vivo and in vivo techniques. Additionally, ENS influence on epithelial proliferation and gene expression within stem and differentiated cells as well as gastrointestinal cancer are discussed.