Cytodifferentiation of the Interstitial Cells of Cajal of Mouse Colonic Circular Muscle Layer

1987 ◽  
Vol 128 (2) ◽  
pp. 98-109 ◽  
Author(s):  
Maria-Simonetta Faussone- Pellegrini
Keyword(s):  
Interstitial Cells Of Cajal ◽  
Circular Muscle ◽  
Muscle Layer ◽  
Interstitial Cells ◽  
Circular Muscle Layer ◽  
Cells Of Cajal

Neuromuscular structures specific to the submucosal border of the human colonic circular muscle layer

1990 ◽  
Vol 68 (11) ◽  
pp. 1437-1446 ◽  
Author(s):  
M. S. Faussone-Pellegrini ◽  
C. Cortesini ◽  
D. Pantalone
Keyword(s):  
Smooth Muscle ◽  
Smooth Muscle Cells ◽  
Interstitial Cells Of Cajal ◽  
Circular Muscle ◽  
Muscle Cells ◽  
Muscle Layer ◽  
Interstitial Cells ◽  
Circular Muscle Layer ◽  
The Right ◽  
Cells Of Cajal

The circular muscle layer of the human caecum and ascending colon is clearly subdivided into two portions: an outer one which includes the bulk of the circular muscle layer, and an inner one made up of only six to eight rows of cells. In the right transverse colon no demarcation can be observed, but a difference exists between the innermost and the outermost cells, since those of the two innermost rows possess some peculiarities with regard to the sarcoplasmic reticulum, glycogen particles, caveolae, and intercellular junctions. In the left part of the colon, the circular muscle layer is also divided into two portions. In fact, the innermost smooth muscle cells still possess peculiar morphologies, progressively increase in number, and become separate from each other making up a superficial muscle network. A fibrous lamella, along and inside which a ganglionated nerve plexus runs, is strictly apposed to the submucosal border of the circular muscle layer of the entire colonic length. A second nerve plexus runs between the two portions of the circular muscle layer. Both these plexuses are accompanied by interstitial cells of Cajal in the right colon only. The peculiar organization of the entire submucosal border of the human colonic circular muscle layer distinguishes it from other parts of the gut and probably represents a structural basis for control of human colonic motility. The presence of putative pacemaker cells (interstitial cells and peculiar smooth muscle cells) indicates that the inner border of human colonic circular muscle layer possesses pacemaking activities. Moreover, the interstitial cell – smooth muscle cell ratio differs depending on the colonic level; two main regions can be identified: the right and the left colon. Consequently, we might expect regional variation in pacemaking.Key words: smooth muscle cells, interstitial cells of Cajal, human colon, ultrastructure.

Selective accumulation of methylene blue by interstitial cells of Cajal in canine colon

1993 ◽  
Vol 264 (1) ◽  
pp. G64-G73 ◽  
Author(s):  
L. W. Liu ◽  
L. Thuneberg ◽  
E. E. Daniel ◽  
J. D. Huizinga
Keyword(s):  
Methylene Blue ◽  
Interstitial Cells Of Cajal ◽  
Three Dimensional ◽  
Circular Muscle ◽  
Muscle Cells ◽  
Muscle Layer ◽  
Interstitial Cells ◽  
Resting Membrane Potential ◽  
Selective Staining ◽  
Cells Of Cajal

The network of interstitial cells of Cajal (ICC) at the submucosal surface of the canine colon was selectively stained by incubation with 15-50 microM methylene blue for 30-45 min. The network was composed of regularly scattered ICC cell bodies interconnected by long processes. Circular muscle cells were unstained. Staining of neurons was limited to one or two axons within bundles. The ICC network had a thickness of a single cell, since no overlapping of ICC cell bodies was observed. The ICC network connected the circular muscle cells at the submucosal surface across the septa which circumferentially divided the circular muscle into lamellae. Methylene blue at 50 microM slightly decreased the resting membrane potential and increased the duration of slow waves, leading to an increase in the force of phasic contractions, with no significant influence on other slow-wave parameters. Methylene blue produced neither electrophysiological nor mechanical effects on circular muscle preparations from which the submuscular ICC network was removed, indicating that the excitatory effects of methylene blue on the full-thickness circular muscle layer were mediated by ICC. In summary, the three-dimensional aspects of the submuscular ICC network can be visualized after selective staining by methylene blue. This staining does not affect physiological characteristics of smooth muscle cells.

Structural characterization of interstitial cells of Cajal in myenteric plexus and muscle layers of canine colon

1990 ◽  
Vol 68 (11) ◽  
pp. 1419-1431 ◽  
Author(s):  
I. Berezin ◽  
J. D. Huizinga ◽  
E. E. Daniel
Keyword(s):  
Myenteric Plexus ◽  
Interstitial Cells Of Cajal ◽  
Longitudinal Muscle ◽  
Structural Characteristics ◽  
Circular Muscle ◽  
Muscle Layer ◽  
Interstitial Cells ◽  
The Other ◽  
Longitudinal Muscle Layer ◽  
Cells Of Cajal

We have carried out a detailed ultrastructural study of the interstitial cells near the myenteric plexus of the canine colon and defined the structural characteristics which distinguish them from other resident non-neural cells. We have also examined the interconnections of these interstitial cells with nerves, the longitudinal muscle, and the circular muscle. In addition, we sought connections between interstitial cells of the myenteric plexus and those described earlier at the inner border of the circular muscle in proximal and distal colon. The interstitial cells of the myenteric plexus were structurally distinctive, and made gap junctions with one another and occasionally with smooth muscle. There seemed to be two subsets of these interstitial cells, one associated with the longitudinal muscle and the other with the circular muscle. Cells of both subsets were often close (≤20 nm) to nerve profiles. The interstitial cells near the longitudinal muscle layer penetrated slightly into the muscle layer, but those near the circular muscle did not and neither set contacted the other. Moveover, interstitial cells of Cajal located near the myenteric plexus were never observed to contact those at the inner border of circular muscle. The interstitial cells of Cajal at the canine colon myenteric plexus are structurally organized to provide independent pacemaking activities for the longitudinal and adjacent circular muscle. Their dense innervation suggests that they mediate neural modulation of intestinal pacemaker activities. Moreover, they lack direct contacts with the interstitial cell network at the inner border of circular muscle, which is essential for the primary pacemaking activity of circular muscle. The structural organization of interstitial cells in canine colon is consistent with their proposed role in pacemaking activity of the two muscle layers.Key words: pacemakers, neuromodulation, interstitial cells of Cajal.

Distribution of interstitial cells of Cajal in tunica muscularis of the canine rectoanal region

2003 ◽  
Vol 284 (5) ◽  
pp. G756-G767 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kazuhide Horiguchi ◽  
Kathleen D. Keef ◽  
Sean M. Ward
Keyword(s):  
Gastrointestinal Tract ◽  
Anal Sphincter ◽  
Internal Anal Sphincter ◽  
Structural Organization ◽  
Interstitial Cells Of Cajal ◽  
Circular Muscle ◽  
Muscle Layer ◽  
Circular Muscle Layer ◽  
Circular Layer ◽  
Cells Of Cajal

Electrical and mechanical activity of the circular muscle layer in the rectoanal region of the gastrointestinal tract undergoes considerable changes in the site of dominant pacemaking activity, frequency, and waveform shape. The present study was performed to determine whether changes in the structural organization of the circular layer or in the density, distribution, and ultrastructure of interstitial cells of Cajal (ICC) could account for this heterogeneity in electrical and mechanical activities. Light microscopy revealed that the structural organization of the circular muscle layer underwent dramatic morphological changes, from a tightly packed layer with poorly defined septa in the proximal rectum to one of discrete muscle bundles separated by large septae in the internal anal sphincter. Kit immunohistochemistry revealed a dense network of ICC along the submucosal and myenteric borders in the rectum, whereas in the internal anal sphincter, ICC were located along the periphery of muscle bundles within the circular layer. Changes in electrical activity within the circular muscle layer can be partially explained by changes in the structure of the muscle layer and changes in the distribution of ICC in the rectoanal region of the gastrointestinal tract.

Boundary cells between longitudinal and circular layers: essential for electrical slow waves in cat intestine

1986 ◽  
Vol 250 (3) ◽  
pp. G287-G294 ◽  
Author(s):  
N. Suzuki ◽  
C. L. Prosser ◽  
V. Dahms
Keyword(s):  
Interstitial Cells Of Cajal ◽  
Circular Muscle ◽  
Muscle Layer ◽  
Interstitial Cells ◽  
Opposite Polarity ◽  
Slow Waves ◽  
Blue Staining ◽  
Cells Of Cajal ◽  
Two Sides ◽  
Different Levels

Electrical slow waves were recorded by intracellular electrodes and by quasi-intracellular pressure and suction electrodes from muscle fibers at different levels in edgewise preparations of cat jejunum. Simultaneous recordings from longitudinal and circular muscle layers showed similar resting potentials from either muscle layer near the boundary zone, and lower resting potentials in cells of circular muscle near the submucosa. Slow waves were maximal in amplitude at the boundary between the two layers and spread electrotonically away from the boundary in both layers. Bipolar recordings were of opposite polarity on the two sides of the boundary. Amplitudes of slow waves from inner circular fibers were significantly lower than from outer circular fibers. Small strips of each muscle layer were prepared with or without the attached interstitial cells of Cajal plexus as identified by methylene blue staining. Either muscle layer showed slow waves from regions where interstitial cells of Cajal (ICC) were observed after the recording. No slow waves were recorded from either layer from regions where ICC were not observed. Strips containing ICC but not strips lacking ICC could be driven electrically. Since blocking of neurons does not abolish slow waves and since regions of muscle lacking ICC do not have slow waves, it is concluded that the interstitial cells (ICC-I) are most likely the boundary elements essential for slow waves in either layer of intestinal muscle.

scholarly journals Identification and Distribution of the Interstitial Cells of Cajal in the Abomasum of Goats

2017 ◽  
Vol 27 (2) ◽  
pp. 335-344 ◽  
Author(s):  
Lingling Wang ◽  
Yu Liang ◽  
Qiusheng Chen ◽  
Nisar Ahmed ◽  
Feng Wang ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Myenteric Plexus ◽  
Interstitial Cells Of Cajal ◽  
Circular Muscle ◽  
Muscle Layer ◽  
Interstitial Cells ◽  
Nerve Fibers ◽  
Complete Characterization ◽  
Submucosal Layer ◽  
Limited Information ◽  
Cells Of Cajal

The interstitial cells of Cajal (ICCs) are regarded as pacemakers and are involved in neurotransmission in the gastrointestinal tract (GIT) of animals. However, limited information is available about the existence of ICCs within the GIT of ruminants. In this study, we investigated the ultrastructural characteristics and distribution of ICCs in goat abomasum using transmission electron microscopy and c-kit immunohistochemistry. Two different kinds of c-kit immunoreactive cells were observed in the abomasum. The first was identified as ICCs, which appeared to be multipolar or bipolar in shape, with some processes. These c-kit immunoreactive cells were deposited in the submucosal layer, myenteric plexus between the circular and longitudinal muscle layers, and within the longitudinal and circular muscle layers of the abomasum. The second type of cell was round in shape and was identified as mast cells, which were located in the submucosal layer as well as in the lamina propria. Ultrastructurally, ICCs were also observed as stellate or spindle-shaped cells, which were consistent in shape with our c-kit immunoreactive cells. In the cytoplasm of ICCs, numerous mitochondria, rough endoplasmic reticulum, and caveolae were detected. ICCs were located in the myenteric plexus between the longitudinal and circular muscle layers (ICC-MY), with the longitudinal and circular muscle layer was replaced as “intramuscular layers” (ICC-IM), and in the submucosal layer (ICC-SM). In addition, we found ICCs surrounding nerve fibers and smooth muscle cells, where they formed heterocellular junctions in the form of close membrane associations or gap junctions and homocellular junctions among the processes of the ICCs. In the current study, we provide the first complete characterization of ICCs within the goat abomasum and propose that ICCs might have a key role in producing contractions in the ruminant stomach for proper absorption of nutrients.

Morphology of the canine pyloric sphincter in relation to function

1989 ◽  
Vol 67 (12) ◽  
pp. 1560-1573 ◽  
Author(s):  
E. E. Daniel ◽  
I. Berezin ◽  
H. D. Allescher ◽  
H. Manaka ◽  
V. Posey-Daniel
Keyword(s):  
Smooth Muscle ◽  
Substance P ◽  
Smooth Muscle Cells ◽  
Gap Junctions ◽  
Vasoactive Intestinal Polypeptide ◽  
Interstitial Cells Of Cajal ◽  
Circular Muscle ◽  
Interstitial Cells ◽  
Pyloric Sphincter ◽  
Cells Of Cajal

The ultrastructure and immunocytochemistry of the canine distal pyloric muscle loop, the pyloric sphincter, were studied. Cells in this muscle were connected by gap junctions, fewer than in the antrum or corpus. The sphincter had a dense innervation and a sparse population of interstitial cells of Cajal. Most such cells were of the circular muscle type but a few were of the type in the myenteric plexus. Nerves were sometimes associated with interstitial cell profiles, but most nerves were neither close to nor associated with interstitial cells nor close to smooth muscle cells. Nerve profiles were characterized by an unusually high proportion of varicosities with a majority or a high proportion of large granular vesicles. Many of these were shown to contain material immunoreactive for vasoactive intestinal polypeptide (VIP) and some had substance P (SP) immunoreactive material. All were presumed to be peptidergic. VIP was present in a higher concentration in this muscle than in adjacent antral or duodenal circular muscle. Interstitial cells of Cajal made gap junctions to smooth muscle and to one another and might provide myogenic pacemaking activity for this muscle, but there was no evidence of a close or special relationship between nerves with VIP or SP and these cells. The absence of close relationships between nerves and either interstitial cells or smooth muscle cells leaves unanswered questions about the structural basis for previous observations of discrete excitatory responses or pyloric sphincter to single stimuli or nerves up to one per second. In conclusion, the structural observations suggest that this muscle has special neural and myogenic control systems and that interstitial cells may function to control myogenic activity of this muscle but not to mediate neural signals.Key words: vasoactive intestinal polypeptide, interstitial cells of Cajal, neuropeptides, gap junctions, substance P.

Neuromuscular structures in opossum esophagus: role of interstitial cells of Cajal

1984 ◽  
Vol 246 (3) ◽  
pp. G305-G315 ◽  
Author(s):  
E. E. Daniel ◽  
V. Posey-Daniel
Keyword(s):  
Smooth Muscle ◽  
Smooth Muscle Cells ◽  
Interstitial Cells Of Cajal ◽  
Circular Muscle ◽  
Muscle Cells ◽  
Interstitial Cells ◽  
Complete Relaxation ◽  
Granular Vesicles ◽  
Cells Of Cajal

The structures of the lower esophageal sphincter (LES) and body circular muscle (BCM) from opossum were compared as to neural and muscular structures and the structural relations of interstitial cells of Cajal to nerves and muscle cells. Both LES and BCM were densely innervated by nerves with varicosities containing many small agranular vesicles and a few large granular vesicles. These nerves were more closely related structurally to the interstitial cells of Cajal than to smooth muscle cells. More gap junctions were observed between smooth muscle cells and between interstitial cells of Cajal and smooth muscle cells in BCM than in LES. Those between smooth muscle cells were larger in BCM. Complete relaxation of the LES strip by isoproterenol reduced these differences but did not eliminate them. The finding that interstitial cells of Cajal often had gap-junction contacts to smooth muscle and close associations with nerves is consistent with the hypothesis that interstitial cells are intercalated between the nerves and muscles and may mediate nerve responses. These findings also suggest that LES muscle cells may be less well coupled electrically than BCM muscle cells.

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