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Zhang YX, Zhang YJ, Li M, Tian JX, Tong XL. Common Pathophysiological Mechanisms and Treatment of Diabetic Gastroparesis. J Neurogastroenterol Motil 2024; 30:143-155. [PMID: 38576367 PMCID: PMC10999838 DOI: 10.5056/jnm23100] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/06/2023] [Revised: 10/29/2023] [Accepted: 11/06/2023] [Indexed: 04/06/2024] Open
Abstract
Diabetic gastroparesis (DGP) is a common complication of diabetes mellitus, marked by gastrointestinal motility disorder, a delayed gastric emptying present in the absence of mechanical obstruction. Clinical manifestations include postprandial fullness and epigastric discomfort, bloating, nausea, and vomiting. DGP may significantly affect the quality of life and productivity of patients. Research on the relationship between gastrointestinal dynamics and DGP has received much attention because of the increasing prevalence of DGP. Gastrointestinal motility disorders are closely related to a variety of factors including the absence and destruction of interstitial cells of Cajal, abnormalities in the neuro-endocrine system and hormone levels. Therefore, this study will review recent literature on the mechanisms of DGP and gastrointestinal motility disorders as well as the development of prokinetic treatment of gastrointestinal motility disorders in order to give future research directions and identify treatment strategies for DGP.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yu-Xin Zhang
- Institute of Metabolic Diseases, Guang'anmen Hospital, China Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Yan-Jiao Zhang
- Institute of Metabolic Diseases, Guang'anmen Hospital, China Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Min Li
- Institute of Metabolic Diseases, Guang'anmen Hospital, China Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Jia-Xing Tian
- Institute of Metabolic Diseases, Guang'anmen Hospital, China Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Xiao-Lin Tong
- Institute of Metabolic Diseases, Guang'anmen Hospital, China Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences, Beijing, China
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2
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Sanders KM, Drumm BT, Cobine CA, Baker SA. Ca 2+ dynamics in interstitial cells: foundational mechanisms for the motor patterns in the gastrointestinal tract. Physiol Rev 2024; 104:329-398. [PMID: 37561138 DOI: 10.1152/physrev.00036.2022] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/16/2022] [Revised: 06/29/2023] [Accepted: 08/06/2023] [Indexed: 08/11/2023] Open
Abstract
The gastrointestinal (GI) tract displays multiple motor patterns that move nutrients and wastes through the body. Smooth muscle cells (SMCs) provide the forces necessary for GI motility, but interstitial cells, electrically coupled to SMCs, tune SMC excitability, transduce inputs from enteric motor neurons, and generate pacemaker activity that underlies major motor patterns, such as peristalsis and segmentation. The interstitial cells regulating SMCs are interstitial cells of Cajal (ICC) and PDGF receptor (PDGFR)α+ cells. Together these cells form the SIP syncytium. ICC and PDGFRα+ cells express signature Ca2+-dependent conductances: ICC express Ca2+-activated Cl- channels, encoded by Ano1, that generate inward current, and PDGFRα+ cells express Ca2+-activated K+ channels, encoded by Kcnn3, that generate outward current. The open probabilities of interstitial cell conductances are controlled by Ca2+ release from the endoplasmic reticulum. The resulting Ca2+ transients occur spontaneously in a stochastic manner. Ca2+ transients in ICC induce spontaneous transient inward currents and spontaneous transient depolarizations (STDs). Neurotransmission increases or decreases Ca2+ transients, and the resulting depolarizing or hyperpolarizing responses conduct to other cells in the SIP syncytium. In pacemaker ICC, STDs activate voltage-dependent Ca2+ influx, which initiates a cluster of Ca2+ transients and sustains activation of ANO1 channels and depolarization during slow waves. Regulation of GI motility has traditionally been described as neurogenic and myogenic. Recent advances in understanding Ca2+ handling mechanisms in interstitial cells and how these mechanisms influence motor patterns of the GI tract suggest that the term "myogenic" should be replaced by the term "SIPgenic," as this review discusses.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kenton M Sanders
- Department of Physiology and Cell Biology, School of Medicine, University of Nevada-Reno, Reno, Nevada, United States
| | - Bernard T Drumm
- Smooth Muscle Research Centre, Dundalk Institute of Technology, Dundalk, Ireland
| | - Caroline A Cobine
- Smooth Muscle Research Centre, Dundalk Institute of Technology, Dundalk, Ireland
| | - Salah A Baker
- Department of Physiology and Cell Biology, School of Medicine, University of Nevada-Reno, Reno, Nevada, United States
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Hussain A, Zhang Z, Yu J, Wei R, Arshad H, Lew J, Jagan C, Wang Y, Chen JH, Huizinga JD. Haustral rhythmic motor patterns of the human large bowel revealed by ultrasound. Am J Physiol Gastrointest Liver Physiol 2023; 325:G295-G305. [PMID: 37461842 DOI: 10.1152/ajpgi.00068.2023] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/11/2023] [Revised: 06/16/2023] [Accepted: 06/22/2023] [Indexed: 08/31/2023]
Abstract
Effective and widely available strategies are needed to diagnose colonic motility dysfunction. We investigated whether ultrasonography could generate spatiotemporal maps combined with motor pattern frequency analysis, to become a noninvasive method to characterize human colon motor patterns. Abdominal colonic ultrasonography was performed on healthy subjects (N = 7), focusing on the detailed recording of spontaneous haustral activities. We developed image segmentation and frequency analysis software to analyze the motor patterns captured. Ultrasonography recordings of the ascending, transverse, and descending colon identified three distinct rhythmic motor patterns: the 1 cycle/min and the 3 cycles/min cyclic motor pattern were seen throughout the whole colon, whereas the 12 cycles/min cyclic motor pattern was identified in the ascending colon. The rhythmic motor patterns of the human colon that are associated with interstitial cells of Cajal-associated pacemaking activity can be accurately identified and quantified using ultrasound.NEW & NOTEWORTHY Ultrasonography in the clinical field is an underutilized tool for assessing colonic motility; however, with the addition of frequency analysis techniques, it provides a method to identify human colonic motor patterns. Here we report on the 1, 3, and 12 cpm rhythmic motor patterns. Ultrasound has the potential to become a bedside assessment for colonic dysmotility and may reveal the health of interstitial cells of Cajal (ICC) pacemaker activities.
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Affiliation(s)
- Amer Hussain
- Department of Medicine, McMaster University, Hamilton, Ontario, Canada
| | - Zhenyu Zhang
- Department of Medicine, McMaster University, Hamilton, Ontario, Canada
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, McMaster University, Hamilton, Ontario, Canada
| | - Jennifer Yu
- Biomedical Engineering, University of Waterloo, Waterloo, Ontario, Canada
| | - Ruihan Wei
- Biomedical Engineering, University of Waterloo, Waterloo, Ontario, Canada
| | - Hamza Arshad
- Biomedical Engineering, University of Waterloo, Waterloo, Ontario, Canada
| | - Jinhwan Lew
- Biomedical Engineering, University of Waterloo, Waterloo, Ontario, Canada
| | - Cierra Jagan
- Biomedical Engineering, University of Waterloo, Waterloo, Ontario, Canada
| | - Yongdong Wang
- Department of Radiology, McMaster University, Hamilton, Ontario, Canada
| | - Ji-Hong Chen
- Department of Medicine, McMaster University, Hamilton, Ontario, Canada
| | - Jan D Huizinga
- Department of Medicine, McMaster University, Hamilton, Ontario, Canada
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, McMaster University, Hamilton, Ontario, Canada
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4
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Drumm BT, Cobine CA, Baker SA. Insights on gastrointestinal motility through the use of optogenetic sensors and actuators. J Physiol 2022; 600:3031-3052. [PMID: 35596741 DOI: 10.1113/jp281930] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/31/2022] [Accepted: 05/13/2022] [Indexed: 11/08/2022] Open
Abstract
The muscularis of the gastrointestinal (GI) tract consists of smooth muscle cells (SMCs) and various populations of interstitial cells of Cajal (ICC), platelet-derived growth factor receptor α+ (PDGFRα+ ) cells, as well as excitatory and inhibitory enteric motor nerves. SMCs, ICC and PDGFRα+ cells form an electrically coupled syncytium, which together with inputs from the enteric nervous system (ENS) regulate GI motility. Early studies evaluating Ca2+ signalling behaviours in the GI tract relied upon indiscriminate loading of tissues with Ca2+ dyes. These methods lacked the means to study activity in specific cells of interest without encountering contamination from other cells within the preparation. Development of mice expressing optogenetic sensors (GCaMP, RCaMP) has allowed visualization of Ca2+ signalling behaviours in a cell specific manner. Additionally, availability of mice expressing optogenetic modulators (channelrhodopsins or halorhodospins) has allowed manipulation of specific signalling pathways using light. GCaMP expressing animals have been used to characterize Ca2+ signalling behaviours of distinct classes of ICC and SMCs throughout the GI musculature. These findings illustrate how Ca2+ signalling in ICC is fundamental in GI muscles, contributing to tone in sphincters, pacemaker activity in rhythmic muscles and relaying enteric signals to SMCs. Animals that express channelrhodopsin in specific neuronal populations have been used to map neural circuitry and to examine post junctional neural effects on GI motility. Thus, optogenetic approaches provide a novel means to examine the contribution of specific cell types to the regulation of motility patterns within complex multi-cellular systems. Abstract Figure Legends Optogenetic activators and sensors can be used to investigate the complex multi-cellular nature of the gastrointestinal (GI tract). Optogenetic activators that are activated by light such as channelrhodopsins (ChR2), OptoXR and halorhodopsinss (HR) proteins can be genetically encoded into specific cell types. This can be used to directly activate or silence specific GI cells such as various classes of enteric neurons, smooth muscle cells (SMC) or interstitial cells, such as interstitial cells of Cajal (ICC). Optogenetic sensors that are activated by different wavelengths of light such as green calmodulin fusion protein (GCaMP) and red CaMP (RCaMP) make high resolution of sub-cellular Ca2+ signalling possible within intact tissues of specific cell types. These tools can provide unparalleled insight into mechanisms underlying GI motility and innervation. This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bernard T Drumm
- Smooth Muscle Research Centre, Department of Life & Health Science, Dundalk Institute of Technology, Dundalk, Co. Louth, Ireland.,Department of Physiology & Cell Biology, University of Nevada, Reno School of Medicine, Reno, NV, USA
| | - Caroline A Cobine
- Department of Physiology & Cell Biology, University of Nevada, Reno School of Medicine, Reno, NV, USA
| | - Salah A Baker
- Department of Physiology & Cell Biology, University of Nevada, Reno School of Medicine, Reno, NV, USA
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Huizinga JD, Hussain A, Chen JH. Interstitial cells of Cajal and human colon motility in health and disease. Am J Physiol Gastrointest Liver Physiol 2021; 321:G552-G575. [PMID: 34612070 DOI: 10.1152/ajpgi.00264.2021] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/31/2023]
Abstract
Our understanding of human colonic motility, and autonomic reflexes that generate motor patterns, has increased markedly through high-resolution manometry. Details of the motor patterns are emerging related to frequency and propagation characteristics that allow linkage to interstitial cells of Cajal (ICC) networks. In studies on colonic motor dysfunction requiring surgery, ICC are almost always abnormal or significantly reduced. However, there are still gaps in our knowledge about the role of ICC in the control of colonic motility and there is little understanding of a mechanistic link between ICC abnormalities and colonic motor dysfunction. This review will outline the various ICC networks in the human colon and their proven and likely associations with the enteric and extrinsic autonomic nervous systems. Based on our extensive knowledge of the role of ICC in the control of gastrointestinal motility of animal models and the human stomach and small intestine, we propose how ICC networks are underlying the motor patterns of the human colon. The role of ICC will be reviewed in the autonomic neural reflexes that evoke essential motor patterns for transit and defecation. Mechanisms underlying ICC injury, maintenance, and repair will be discussed. Hypotheses are formulated as to how ICC dysfunction can lead to motor abnormalities in slow transit constipation, chronic idiopathic pseudo-obstruction, Hirschsprung's disease, fecal incontinence, diverticular disease, and inflammatory conditions. Recent studies on ICC repair after injury hold promise for future therapies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jan D Huizinga
- Division of Gastroenterology, Department of Medicine, Farncombe Family Digestive Health Research Institute, McMaster University, Hamilton, Ontario, Canada
| | - Amer Hussain
- Division of Gastroenterology, Department of Medicine, Farncombe Family Digestive Health Research Institute, McMaster University, Hamilton, Ontario, Canada
| | - Ji-Hong Chen
- Division of Gastroenterology, Department of Medicine, Farncombe Family Digestive Health Research Institute, McMaster University, Hamilton, Ontario, Canada
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Baker SA, Leigh WA, Del Valle G, De Yturriaga IF, Ward SM, Cobine CA, Drumm BT, Sanders KM. Ca 2+ signaling driving pacemaker activity in submucosal interstitial cells of Cajal in the murine colon. eLife 2021; 10:64099. [PMID: 33399536 PMCID: PMC7806270 DOI: 10.7554/elife.64099] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/16/2020] [Accepted: 01/04/2021] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Interstitial cells of Cajal (ICC) generate pacemaker activity responsible for phasic contractions in colonic segmentation and peristalsis. ICC along the submucosal border (ICC-SM) contribute to mixing and more complex patterns of colonic motility. We show the complex patterns of Ca2+ signaling in ICC-SM and the relationship between ICC-SM Ca2+ transients and activation of smooth muscle cells (SMCs) using optogenetic tools. ICC-SM displayed rhythmic firing of Ca2+transients ~ 15 cpm and paced adjacent SMCs. The majority of spontaneous activity occurred in regular Ca2+ transients clusters (CTCs) that propagated through the network. CTCs were organized and dependent upon Ca2+ entry through voltage-dependent Ca2+ conductances, L- and T-type Ca2+ channels. Removal of Ca2+ from the external solution abolished CTCs. Ca2+ release mechanisms reduced the duration and amplitude of Ca2+ transients but did not block CTCs. These data reveal how colonic pacemaker ICC-SM exhibit complex Ca2+-firing patterns and drive smooth muscle activity and overall colonic contractions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Salah A Baker
- Department of Physiology and Cell Biology, University of Nevada, Reno, School of Medicine, Reno, United States
| | - Wesley A Leigh
- Department of Physiology and Cell Biology, University of Nevada, Reno, School of Medicine, Reno, United States
| | - Guillermo Del Valle
- Department of Physiology and Cell Biology, University of Nevada, Reno, School of Medicine, Reno, United States
| | - Inigo F De Yturriaga
- Department of Physiology and Cell Biology, University of Nevada, Reno, School of Medicine, Reno, United States
| | - Sean M Ward
- Department of Physiology and Cell Biology, University of Nevada, Reno, School of Medicine, Reno, United States
| | - Caroline A Cobine
- Department of Physiology and Cell Biology, University of Nevada, Reno, School of Medicine, Reno, United States
| | - Bernard T Drumm
- Department of Physiology and Cell Biology, University of Nevada, Reno, School of Medicine, Reno, United States
| | - Kenton M Sanders
- Department of Physiology and Cell Biology, University of Nevada, Reno, School of Medicine, Reno, United States
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Drumm BT, Rembetski BE, Huynh K, Nizar A, Baker SA, Sanders KM. Excitatory cholinergic responses in mouse colon intramuscular interstitial cells of Cajal are due to enhanced Ca 2+ release via M 3 receptor activation. FASEB J 2020; 34:10073-10095. [PMID: 32539213 DOI: 10.1096/fj.202000672r] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/21/2020] [Revised: 05/01/2020] [Accepted: 05/11/2020] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
Colonic intramuscular interstitial cells of Cajal (ICC-IM) are associated with cholinergic varicosities, suggesting a role in mediating excitatory neurotransmission. Ca2+ release in ICC-IM activates Ano1, a Ca2+ -activated Cl- conductance, causing tissue depolarization and increased smooth muscle excitability. We employed Ca2+ imaging of colonic ICC-IM in situ, using mice expressing GCaMP6f in ICC to evaluate ICC-IM responses to excitatory neurotransmission. Expression of muscarinic type 2, 3 (M2 , M3 ), and NK1 receptors were enriched in ICC-IM. NK1 receptor agonists had minimal effects on ICC-IM, whereas neostigmine and carbachol increased Ca2+ transients. These effects were reversed by DAU 5884 (M3 receptor antagonist) but not AF-DX 116 (M2 receptor antagonist). Electrical field stimulation (EFS) in the presence of L-NNA and MRS 2500 enhanced ICC-IM Ca2+ transients. Responses were blocked by atropine or DAU 5884, but not AF-DX 116. ICC-IM responses to EFS were ablated by inhibiting Ca2+ stores with cyclopiazonic acid and reduced by inhibiting Ca2+ influx via Orai channels. Contractions induced by EFS were reduced by an Ano1 channel antagonist, abolished by DAU 5884, and unaffected by AF-DX 116. Colonic ICC-IM receive excitatory inputs from cholinergic neurons via M3 receptor activation. Enhancing ICC-IM Ca2+ release and Ano1 activation contributes to excitatory responses of colonic muscles.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bernard T Drumm
- Department of Physiology and Cell Biology, Reno School of Medicine, University of Nevada, Reno, NV, USA.,Department of Life & Health Science, Dundalk Institute of Technology, Dundalk, Ireland
| | - Benjamin E Rembetski
- Department of Physiology and Cell Biology, Reno School of Medicine, University of Nevada, Reno, NV, USA
| | - Kaitlin Huynh
- Department of Physiology and Cell Biology, Reno School of Medicine, University of Nevada, Reno, NV, USA
| | - Aqeel Nizar
- Department of Physiology and Cell Biology, Reno School of Medicine, University of Nevada, Reno, NV, USA
| | - Salah A Baker
- Department of Physiology and Cell Biology, Reno School of Medicine, University of Nevada, Reno, NV, USA
| | - Kenton M Sanders
- Department of Physiology and Cell Biology, Reno School of Medicine, University of Nevada, Reno, NV, USA
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Drumm BT, Rembetski BE, Messersmith K, Manierka MS, Baker SA, Sanders KM. Pacemaker function and neural responsiveness of subserosal interstitial cells of Cajal in the mouse colon. J Physiol 2020; 598:651-681. [PMID: 31811726 DOI: 10.1113/jp279102] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/08/2019] [Accepted: 11/22/2019] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
Abstract
KEY POINTS Rhythmic action potentials and intercellular Ca2+ waves are generated in smooth muscle cells of colonic longitudinal muscles (LSMC). Longitudinal muscle excitability is tuned by input from subserosal ICC (ICC-SS), a population of ICC with previously unknown function. ICC-SS express Ano1 channels and generate spontaneous Ca2+ transients in a stochastic manner. Release of Ca2+ and activation of Ano1 channels causes depolarization of ICC-SS and LSMC, leading to activation of L-type Ca2+ channels, action potentials, intercellular Ca2+ waves and contractions in LSMC. Nitrergic neural inputs regulate the Ca2+ events in ICC-SS. Pacemaker activity in longitudinal muscle is an emergent property as a result of integrated processes in ICC-SS and LSMC. ABSTRACT Much is known about myogenic mechanisms in circular muscle (CM) in the gastrointestinal tract, although less is known about longitudinal muscle (LM). Two Ca2+ signalling behaviours occur in LM: localized intracellular waves not causing contractions and intercellular waves leading to excitation-contraction coupling. An Ano1 channel antagonist inhibited intercellular Ca2+ waves and LM contractions. Ano1 channels are expressed by interstitial cells of Cajal (ICC) but not by smooth muscle cells (SMCs). We investigated Ca2+ signalling in a novel population of ICC that lies along the subserosal surface of LM (ICC-SS) in mice expressing GCaMP6f in ICC. ICC-SS fired stochastic localized Ca2+ transients. Such events have been linked to activation of Ano1 channels in ICC. Ca2+ transients in ICC-SS occurred by release from stores most probably via inositol trisphosphate receptors. This activity relied on influx via store-operated Ca2+ entry and Orai channels. No voltage-dependent mechanism that synchronized Ca2+ transients in a single cell or between cells was found. Nitrergic agonists inhibited Ca2+ transients in ICC-SS, and stimulation of intrinsic nerves activated nitrergic responses in ICC-SS. Cessation of stimulation resulted in significant enhancement of Ca2+ transients compared to the pre-stimulus activity. No evidence of innervation by excitatory, cholinergic motor neurons was found. Our data suggest that ICC-SS contribute to regulation of LM motor activity. Spontaneous Ca2+ transients activate Ano1 channels in ICC-SS. Resulting depolarization conducts to SMCs, depolarizing membrane potential, activating L-type Ca2+ channels and initiating contraction. Rhythmic electrical and mechanical behaviours of LM are an emergent property of SMCs and ICC-SS.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bernard T Drumm
- Department of Physiology and Cell Biology, University of Nevada, Reno School of Medicine, Reno, NV, USA
| | - Benjamin E Rembetski
- Department of Physiology and Cell Biology, University of Nevada, Reno School of Medicine, Reno, NV, USA
| | - Katelyn Messersmith
- Department of Physiology and Cell Biology, University of Nevada, Reno School of Medicine, Reno, NV, USA
| | - Marena S Manierka
- Department of Physiology and Cell Biology, University of Nevada, Reno School of Medicine, Reno, NV, USA
| | - Salah A Baker
- Department of Physiology and Cell Biology, University of Nevada, Reno School of Medicine, Reno, NV, USA
| | - Kenton M Sanders
- Department of Physiology and Cell Biology, University of Nevada, Reno School of Medicine, Reno, NV, USA
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Rusu MC, Loreto C, Mănoiu VS. Network of telocytes in the temporomandibular joint disc of rats. Acta Histochem 2014; 116:663-8. [PMID: 24439756 DOI: 10.1016/j.acthis.2013.12.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/07/2013] [Revised: 12/05/2013] [Accepted: 12/08/2013] [Indexed: 02/03/2023]
Abstract
The phenotypes of the temporomandibular joint (TMJ) disc cells range from fibroblasts to chondrocytes. There are relatively few reported studies using transmission electron microscopy (TEM) to determine the ultrastructural features of these cells. It was hypothesized that at least a subpopulation of TMJ stromal cells could be represented by the telocytes, cells with telopodes. In this regard a TEM study was performed on rat TMJ samples. Collagen-embedded networks were found built-up by cells with telopodes with subplasmalemmal caveolae, moderate content in matrix secretory organelles and well-represented intermediate filaments. Appositions of cell bodies were found. Prolongations of such cells were closely related to nerves and microvessels. Our study indicates that the TMJ disc attachment seems equipped with telocytes capable of stromal signaling. However, further studies are needed to assess whether the telocytes belong to a renewed cell population derived from circulating precursors.
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Rusu MC, Folescu R, Mănoiu VS, Didilescu AC. Suburothelial interstitial cells. Cells Tissues Organs 2014; 199:59-72. [PMID: 24801000 DOI: 10.1159/000360816] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 02/24/2014] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
The suburothelium has received renewed interest because of its role in sensing bladder fullness. Various studies evaluated suburothelial myofibroblasts (MFs), interstitial cells (ICs), interstitial Cajal cells (ICCs) or telocytes (TCs), which resulted in inconsistencies in terminology and difficulties in understanding the suburothelial structure. In order to elucidate these issues, the use of electron microscopy seems to be an ideal choice. It was hypothesized that the cell population of the suburothelial band is heterogeneous in an attempt to clarify the above-mentioned inconsistencies. The suburothelial ICs of the bladder were evaluated by immunohistochemistry (IHC) and transmission electron microscopy (TEM). Bladder samples from 6 Wistar rats were used for IHC and TEM studies and human bladder autopsy samples were used for IHC. Desmin labeled only the detrusor muscle, while all the myoid structures of the bladder wall were positive for α-smooth muscle actin (SMA). A distinctive α-SMA-positive suburothelial layer was identified. A layered structure of the immediate suburothelial band was detected using TEM: (1) the inner suburothelial layer consisted of fibroblasts equipped for matrix synthesis; (2) the middle suburothelial layer consisted of smooth muscle cells (SMCs) and myoid ICCs, and (3) the outer suburothelial layer consisted of ICs with TC morphology, building a distinctive network. In conclusion, the suburothelial layer consists of distinctive types of ICs but not MFs. The myoid layer, with SMCs and ICCs, which could be considered identical to the α-SMA-positive cells in the suburothelial band, seems the best-equipped layer for pacemaking and signaling. Noteworthy, the network of ICs also seems suitable for stromal signaling.
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