Fine structural study of interstitial cells associated with the deep muscular plexus of the rat small intestine, with special reference to the intestinal pacemaker cells

Cell and Tissue Research
Terumasa Komuro, K Seki

Abstract

Two types of interstitial cells have been demonstrated in close association in the deep muscular plexus of rat small intestine, by electron microscopy. Cells of the first type are characterized by a fibroblastic ultrastructure, i.e. a well-developed granular endoplasmic reticulum, Golgi apparatus and absence of the basal lamina. They form a few small gap junctions with the circular muscle cells and show close contact with axon terminals containing many synaptic vesicles. They may play a role in conducting electrical signals in the muscle tissue. Cells of the second type are characterized by many large gap junctions that interconnect with each other and with the circular muscle cells. Their cytoplasm is rich in cell organelles, including mitochondria, granular endoplasmic reticulum and Golgi apparatus. They show some resemblance to the smooth muscle cells and have an incomplete basal lamina, caveolae and subsurface cisterns. However, they do not contain an organized contractile apparatus, although many intermediate filaments are present in their processes. They also show close contacts with axon terminals containing synaptic vesicles. These gap-junction-rich cells may be regular components of the intestinal tract and may be invo...Continue Reading

References

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Citations

Apr 28, 2005·Journal of Smooth Muscle Research = Nihon Heikatsukin Gakkai Kikanshi·Yutaka OkishioFumiaki Hata
Nov 13, 2009·Journal of Smooth Muscle Research = Nihon Heikatsukin Gakkai Kikanshi·Thomas J Eddinger
Dec 22, 1999·Archives of Histology and Cytology·T KomuroK Horiguchi
Mar 13, 2016·Neurogastroenterology and Motility : the Official Journal of the European Gastrointestinal Motility Society·Y F ZhuJ D Huizinga
Dec 16, 2004·International Review of Cytology·Menachem HananiTerumasa Komuro
Dec 22, 1999·Microscopy Research and Technique·E E Daniel, Y F Wang
Oct 13, 2007·American Journal of Physiology. Gastrointestinal and Liver Physiology·Sushil K Sarna

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