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Ca 2+ transients in myenteric glial cells during the colonic migrating motor complex in the isolated murine large intestine
Author(s) -
Broadhead Matthew J.,
Bayguinov Peter O.,
Okamoto Takanobu,
Heredia Dante J.,
Smith Terence K.
Publication year - 2012
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.2011.219519
Subject(s) - large intestine , myenteric plexus , small intestine , migrating motor complex , neuroscience , chemistry , microbiology and biotechnology , biology , anatomy , pathology , medicine , immunohistochemistry , biochemistry
Non‐technical summary A ganglionated neural plexus, the myenteric plexus, within the colon generates a propagating contraction called the colonic migrating motor complex (CMMC) that underlies faecal pellet propulsion. Neurons in the myenteric plexus are surrounded by a network of enteric glia cells (EGCs), which were traditionally thought to be the glue that held the neurons together. Using imaging techniques, we demonstrate that 36% of EGCs respond with prolonged Ca 2+ transients following their activation by excitatory nerve fibres that generate the CMMC, suggesting that EGCs are innervated and are activated during the CMMC.