Relationship between interstitial cells of Cajal, fibroblast-like cells and inhibitory motor nerves in the internal anal sphincter

Caroline A Cobine; Grant W Hennig; Masaaki Kurahashi; Kenton M Sanders; Sean M Ward; Kathleen D Keef

doi:10.1007/s00441-011-1138-1

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Relationship between interstitial cells of Cajal, fibroblast-like cells and inhibitory motor nerves in the internal anal sphincter

Journal article

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Peer reviewed

Relationship between interstitial cells of Cajal, fibroblast-like cells and inhibitory motor nerves in the internal anal sphincter

Caroline A Cobine, Grant W Hennig, Masaaki Kurahashi, Kenton M Sanders, Sean M Ward and Kathleen D Keef

Cell and tissue research, Vol.344(1), pp.17-30

04/2011

DOI: 10.1007/s00441-011-1138-1

PMCID: PMC3192126

PMID: 21337122

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https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/3192126View

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Abstract

Interstitial cells of Cajal (ICC) have been shown to participate in nitrergic neurotransmission in various regions of the gastrointestinal (GI) tract. Recently, fibroblast-like cells, which are positive for platelet-derived growth factor receptor α (PDGFRα(+)), have been suggested to participate additionally in inhibitory neurotransmission in the GI tract. The distribution of ICC and PDGFRα(+) cell populations and their relationship to inhibitory nerves within the mouse internal anal sphincter (IAS) are unknown. Immunohistochemical techniques and confocal microscopy were therefore used to examine the density and arrangement of ICC, PDGFRα(+) cells and neuronal nitric-oxide-synthase-positive (nNOS(+)) nerve fibers in the IAS of wild-type (WT) and W/W ( v ) mice. Of the total tissue volume within the IAS circular muscle layer, 18% consisted in highly branched PDGFRα(+) cells (PDGFRα(+)-IM). Other populations of PDGFRα(+) cells were observed within the submucosa and along the serosal and myenteric surfaces. Spindle-shaped intramuscular ICC (ICC-IM) were present in the WT mouse IAS but were largely absent from the W/W ( v ) IAS. The ICC-IM volume (5% of tissue volume) in the WT mouse IAS was significantly smaller than that of PDGFRα(+)-IM. Stellate-shaped submucosal ICC (ICC-SM) were observed in the WT and W/W ( v ) IAS. Minimum surface distance analysis revealed that nNOS(+) nerve fibers were closely aligned with both ICC-IM and PDGFRα(+)-IM. An even closer association was seen between ICC-IM and PDGFRα(+)-IM. Thus, a close morphological arrangement exists between inhibitory motor neurons, ICC-IM and PDGFRα(+)-IM suggesting that some functional interaction occurs between them contributing to inhibitory neurotransmission in the IAS.

Anal Canal - innervation

Anal Canal - ultrastructure

Animals

Fibroblasts - cytology

Interstitial Cells of Cajal - cytology

Mice

Mice, Inbred C57BL

Nitric Oxide Synthase Type I - analysis

Receptor, Platelet-Derived Growth Factor alpha - analysis

Details

Title: Subtitle: Relationship between interstitial cells of Cajal, fibroblast-like cells and inhibitory motor nerves in the internal anal sphincter
Creators: Caroline A Cobine - University of Nevada, Reno School of Medicine
Grant W Hennig - University of Nevada, Reno School of Medicine
Masaaki Kurahashi - University of Nevada, Reno School of Medicine
Kenton M Sanders - University of Nevada, Reno School of Medicine
Sean M Ward - University of Nevada, Reno School of Medicine
Kathleen D Keef - University of Nevada, Reno School of Medicine
Resource Type: Journal article
Publication Details: Cell and tissue research, Vol.344(1), pp.17-30
DOI: 10.1007/s00441-011-1138-1
PMID: 21337122
PMCID: PMC3192126
NLM abbreviation: Cell Tissue Res
ISSN: 0302-766X
eISSN: 1432-0878
Grant note: DK41315 / NIDDK NIH HHS P20RR018751 / NCRR NIH HHS P20 RR018751 / NCRR NIH HHS DK078736 / NIDDK NIH HHS R01 DK078736 / NIDDK NIH HHS R01 DK057236 / NIDDK NIH HHS DK057236 / NIDDK NIH HHS R01 DK078736-01A2 / NIDDK NIH HHS P01 DK041315 / NIDDK NIH HHS
Language: English
Date published: 04/2011
Academic Unit: Internal Medicine
Record Identifier: 9984359844102771

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