Genetic fate-mapping of tyrosine hydroxylase-expressing cells in the enteric nervous system

Abstract

Background: During development of the enteric nervous system, a subpopulation of enteric neuron precursors transiently expresses catecholaminergic properties. The progeny of these transiently catecholaminergic (TC) cells have not been fully characterized. Methods: We combined in vivo Cre-lox-based genetic fate-mapping with phenotypic analysis to fate-map enteric neuron subtypes arising from tyrosine hydroxylase (TH)-expressing cells. Key Results: Less than 3% of the total (Hu+) neurons in the myenteric plexus of the small intestine of adult mice are generated from transiently TH-expressing cells. Around 50% of the neurons generated from transiently TH-expressing cells are calbindin neurons, ..