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A functional role for the ‘fibroblast‐like cells’ in gastrointestinal smooth muscles
Author(s) -
Kurahashi Masaaki,
Zheng Haifeng,
Dwyer Laura,
Ward Sean M.,
Don Koh Sang,
Sanders Kenton M.
Publication year - 2011
Publication title -
the journal of physiology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.802
H-Index - 240
eISSN - 1469-7793
pISSN - 0022-3751
DOI - 10.1113/jphysiol.2010.201129
Subject(s) - interstitial cell of cajal , fibroblast , gastrointestinal tract , cell type , microbiology and biotechnology , biology , cell , smooth muscle , chemistry , in vitro , endocrinology , biochemistry
Non‐technical summary Smooth muscles, as in the gastrointestinal tract, are composed of several types of cells. Gastrointestinal muscles contain smooth muscle cells, enteric neurons, glial cells, immune cells, and various classes of interstitial cells. One type of interstitial cell, referred to as ‘fibroblast‐like cells’ by morphologists, are common, but their function is unknown. These cells are found near the terminals of enteric motor neurons, suggesting they could have a role in generating neural responses that help control gastrointestinal movements. We used a novel mouse with bright green fluorescent protein expressed specifically in the fibroblast‐like cells to help us identify these cells in the mixture of cells obtained when whole muscles are dispersed with enzymes. We isolated these cells and found they respond to a major class of inhibitory neurotransmitters – purines. We characterized these responses, and our results provide a new hypothesis about the role of fibroblast‐like cells in smooth muscle tissues.