Time-resolved morphological and transcriptomic characterization of early enteric neuron subtype emergence in chick

M Maëlys André (MeLis, CNRS UMR 5284, INSERM U1314, Université Lyon 1) R Raphael Gury (MeLis, CNRS UMR 5284, INSERM U1314, Université Lyon 1) M Maxime Lepetit (Bioinformatic Platform of the Labex Cortex, Université Lyon 1) F Franck Boismoreau (MeLis, CNRS UMR 5284, INSERM U1314, Université Lyon 1) M Muriel Bozon (MeLis, CNRS UMR 5284, INSERM U1314, Université Lyon 1) J Jérémy Ganofsky (MeLis, CNRS UMR 5284, INSERM U1314, Université Lyon 1) C Cassandre Heritier-Tellier (Bioinformatic Platform of the Labex Cortex, Université Lyon 1) I Ingrid Plotton (Centre hospitalier universitaire de Lyon, laboratoire de biochimie et biologie moléculaire, Université Lyon 1) R Rémi Duclaux-Loras (CarMEN laboratory, INSERM U1060, Institut national de recherche pour l’agriculture, l’alimentation et l’environnement 1397, 69495 Pierre Benite, France, Centre hospitalier universitaire de Lyon, Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Nutrition Unit, Université Lyon 1) N Noël Peretti (CarMEN laboratory, INSERM U1060, Institut national de recherche pour l’agriculture, l’alimentation et l’environnement 1397, 69495 Pierre Benite, France, Centre hospitalier universitaire de Lyon, Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Nutrition Unit, Université Lyon 1) G Guillaume Marcy (Bioinformatic Platform of the Labex Cortex, Université Lyon 1) V Valérie Castellani (MeLis, CNRS UMR 5284, INSERM U1314, Université Lyon 1) J Julien Falk (MeLis, CNRS UMR 5284, INSERM U1314, Université Lyon 1)

Abstract

The genetic programs directing nascent enteric nervous circuits and their unique architecture remain poorly characterized. To gain insight, we combined manipulations in the chick embryo model, whole gut three-dimensional (3D) imaging, and single-nucleus transcriptomics at very short intervals for time-resolved analyses of neuronal subtype trajectories. In imaging, we found highly dynamic axon network growth, with rapid increase in axon density and spatial orientation diversification. At transcriptomic levels, we correlated these changes to cell-state transitions with specific axon guidance gene sets. Cross-analyses with human and mouse embryo scRNAseq and expression profiles revealed globally conserved enteric lineage trajectories and subtypes specific axon guidance programs in all species. Finally, manipulation of DSCAM and ISLR2 evolutionary conserved networks in chick whole gut cultures altered enteric axon patterns, validating our paradigm and its applicability to advance current knowledge on human enteric circuit wiring.

Article Details

Volume / Issue Vol. 123, Issue 28
Published July 14, 2026
ISSN 0027-8424
Publisher National Academy of Sciences

Authors (13)

M

Maëlys André

MeLis, CNRS UMR 5284, INSERM U1314, Université Lyon 1

R

Raphael Gury

MeLis, CNRS UMR 5284, INSERM U1314, Université Lyon 1

M

Maxime Lepetit

Bioinformatic Platform of the Labex Cortex, Université Lyon 1

F

Franck Boismoreau

MeLis, CNRS UMR 5284, INSERM U1314, Université Lyon 1

M

Muriel Bozon

MeLis, CNRS UMR 5284, INSERM U1314, Université Lyon 1

J

Jérémy Ganofsky

MeLis, CNRS UMR 5284, INSERM U1314, Université Lyon 1

C

Cassandre Heritier-Tellier

Bioinformatic Platform of the Labex Cortex, Université Lyon 1

I

Ingrid Plotton

Centre hospitalier universitaire de Lyon, laboratoire de biochimie et biologie moléculaire, Université Lyon 1

R

Rémi Duclaux-Loras

CarMEN laboratory, INSERM U1060, Institut national de recherche pour l’agriculture, l’alimentation et l’environnement 1397, 69495 Pierre Benite, France, Centre hospitalier universitaire de Lyon, Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Nutrition Unit, Université Lyon 1

N

Noël Peretti

CarMEN laboratory, INSERM U1060, Institut national de recherche pour l’agriculture, l’alimentation et l’environnement 1397, 69495 Pierre Benite, France, Centre hospitalier universitaire de Lyon, Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Nutrition Unit, Université Lyon 1

G

Guillaume Marcy

Bioinformatic Platform of the Labex Cortex, Université Lyon 1

V

Valérie Castellani

MeLis, CNRS UMR 5284, INSERM U1314, Université Lyon 1

J

Julien Falk

MeLis, CNRS UMR 5284, INSERM U1314, Université Lyon 1