Cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator modulates enteric cholinergic activities and is abnormally expressed in the enteric ganglia of patients with slow transit constipation.

Background: Cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator (CFTR) was recently found in the enteric nervous system, where its role is unclear. We aimed to identify which enteric neuronal structures express CFTR, whether CFTR modulates enteric neurotransmission and if altered CFTR expression is associated with slow transit constipation (STC).

Methods: Immunofluorescence double labeling was performed to localize CFTR with various neuronal and glial cell markers in the human colon.