Unique distribution of interstitial cells of Cajal in the feline pylorus |
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Authors: | Xuan-Yu Wang Louis W C Liu Nicholas E Diamant Jan D Huizinga |
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Institution: | (1) Intestinal Disease Research Program and Department of Medicine, McMaster University, HSC-3N5C, 1200 Main Street West, Hamilton, ON, L8N 3Z5, Canada;(2) Department of Gastroenterology, Toronto Western Hospital, Toronto, Canada |
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Abstract: | The feline gastrointestinal (GI) tract is an important model for GI physiology but no immunohistochemical assessment of interstitial
cells of Cajal (ICC) has been performed because of the lack of suitable antibodies. The aim of the present study was to investigate
the various types of ICC and associated nerve structures in the pyloric sphincter region, by using immunohistochemistry and
electron microscopy to complement functional studies. In the sphincter, ICC associated with Auerbach’s plexus (ICC-AP) were
markedly decreased within a region of 6–8 mm in length, thereby forming an interruption in this network of ICC-AP, which is
otherwise continuous from corpus to distal ileum. In contrast, intramuscular ICC (ICC-IM) were abundant within the pylorus,
especially at the inner edge of the circular muscle adjacent to the submucosa. Similar distribution patterns of nerves positive
for vesicular acetylcholine transporter (VAChT), nitric oxide synthase (NOS) and substance P (SP) were encountered. Quantification
showed a significantly higher number of ICC-IM and the various types of nerves in the pylorus compared with the circular muscle
layers in the adjacent antrum and duodenum. Electron-microscopic studies demonstrated that ICC-IM were closely associated
with enteric nerves through synapse-like junctions and with smooth muscle cells through gap junctions. Thus, for the first
time, immunohistochemical studies have been successful in documenting the unique distribution of ICC in the feline pylorus.
A lack of ICC-AP guarantees the distinct properties of antral and duodenal pacemaker activities. ICC-IM are associated with
enteric nerves, which are concentrated in the inner portion of the circular muscle layer, being part of a unique innervation
pattern of the sphincter.
This study was supported by operating grants from the Canadian Institutes of Health Research (to J.D.H. and N.E.D.) and from
the Canadian Association of Gastroenterology (to L.W.C.L.). |
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Keywords: | Pyloric sphincter Interstitial cell of Cajal Enteric nerves NOS VAChT Substance P Cat |
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