Adenosine-mediated enteric neuromuscular function is affected during herpes simplex virus type 1 infection of rat enteric nervous system.

Adenosine plays an important role in regulating intestinal motility and inflammatory processes. Previous studies in rodent models have demonstrated that adenosine metabolism and signalling are altered during chronic intestinal inflammatory diseases. However, the involvement of the adenosinergic system in the pathophysiology of gut dysmotility associated to a primary neurodysfunction is still unclear.

Toll-like receptor 2 regulates intestinal inflammation by controlling integrity of the enteric nervous system.

Background & Aims: In the intestines, Toll-like receptor 2 (TLR2) mediates immune responses to pathogens and regulates epithelial barrier function; polymorphisms in TLR2 have been associated with inflammatory bowel disease phenotype. We assessed the effects of TLR2 signaling on the enteric nervous system (ENS) in mice.

Methods: TLR2 distribution and function in the ileal neuromuscular layer of mice were determined by immunofluorescence, cytofluorimetric analysis, immunoprecipitation, and immunoblot analyses.