Age-Dependent Decline of GPR68 and Calretinin-Positive Neurons in the Mucosal Layer of the Human Colon, Excluding the Myenteric Plexus

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GPR68 is widely expressed in the human colon's mucosa, circular muscle, and myenteric plexus, indicating its potential roles in gastrointestinal functions.
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Calretinin-positive neurons in the mucosal layer of the colon decline with age, suggesting a loss of sensory and homeostatic functions in older adults.
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The density of GPR68-immunoreactive neurons remains similar in the muscle and myenteric plexus across age groups, but decreases in the mucosa of older adults.
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Total PGP9.5-immunoreactive enteric neuronal fibers do not change with age, indicating that overall neuronal density in the colon is preserved.
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The study highlights the selective vulnerability of mucosal sensory mechanisms in the aging colon, which may contribute to increased gastrointestinal disorders.

British Journal Of Biomedical Science

by Nicholas Baidoo, Enrica De Rasis, Luke Paine, David C. Bulmer, Gareth J. Sanger
April 7, 2026

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