This image was obtained by second harmonic generation microscopy, an exquisite method to reveal fibrillar collagen in tissues. Unlike collagen immunohistochemistry, it is not hampered by non-specific signals. Collagen holds cells together and is a major player in mechanical properties. In our study, we found that it surrounds the enteric nervous system and may explain why it is so stiff compared to brain tissue. This stiffening probably enables the neural tissues of the gut to withstand the considerable stretch and stress the gut is subject to during digestion. Our research is featured here: http//nicochevalier.net.

 — Nicolas R. Chevalier, Alexis Peaucelle, Thomas Guilbert, Pierre Bourdoncle, and Wang Xi