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In vitro Functional Characterization of Mouse Colorectal Afferent Endings

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Published on: January 21, 2015

Mesenteric and tactile Pacinian corpuscles are anatomically and physiologically comparable.

Lorraine Pawson¹, Christine M Checkosky, Adam K Pack

¹Institute for Sensory Research and Department of Biomedical and Chemical Engineering, Syracuse University, Syracuse, NY 13244, USA. ljpawson@ad.syr.edu

Somatosensory & Motor Research

|September 30, 2008

Summary

This summary is machine-generated.

Pacinian corpuscles (PCs) in cat mesentery and skin share similar physiological responses to tactile stimuli. This suggests mesenteric PCs can model skin receptors, indicating skin doesn't temporally filter vibratory stimuli.

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Area of Science:

Neuroscience
Sensory Physiology
Mechanobiology

Background:

Pacinian corpuscles (PCs) are crucial for tactile mechanotransduction.
Mesenteric PCs are anatomically similar to skin PCs, but physiological comparisons are limited.

Purpose of the Study:

To compare the physiological characteristics of mesenteric PCs and skin PCs in cats.
To determine if mesenteric PCs can serve as a model for skin PCs.

Main Methods:

Recorded action-potential rate-amplitude and frequency characteristics (10 Hz-1 KHz) from nerve fibers innervating mesenteric and glabrous skin PCs.
Analyzed interval (IH) and peri-stimulus-time (PSTH) histograms in response to sinusoidal displacements.

Main Results:

Mesenteric and skin PCs exhibited similar response profiles, including intensity characteristics and entrainment.
Frequency characteristics were U-shaped with comparable low-frequency slopes and bandwidths.
Best frequency for both PC types was 250 Hz; PSTHs showed no transient responses or adaptation.

Conclusions:

Functional and anatomical similarities suggest mesenteric PCs can model skin PCs.
Skin does not impart temporal filtering of vibratory stimuli, despite attenuating intensity.