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Published on: July 13, 2016
Interstitial cells in the primate gastrointestinal tract.
Peter J Blair1, Yulia Bayguinov, Kenton M Sanders
1Department of Physiology & Cell Biology, University of Nevada School of Medicine, Reno, NV, 89557, USA.
Cell and Tissue Research
|August 7, 2012
Summary
This study reveals that interstitial cells of Cajal (ICC) networks in non-human primates share structural similarities with those in rodents. These findings support the use of rodent models for studying gastrointestinal motility.
Area of Science:
- Gastroenterology
- Cell Biology
- Comparative Anatomy
Background:
- Interstitial cells of Cajal (ICC) are crucial for gastrointestinal (GI) motility.
- Previous research primarily used rodent models to classify ICC.
- Limited data exists on ICC structure in non-human primates.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the 3-dimensional structure of ICC networks in the GI tract of cynomolgus monkeys.
- To compare primate ICC structure with established rodent models.
- To determine if similar ICC subtypes exist in primates.
Main Methods:
- Utilized Kit immunohistochemistry and confocal imaging for detailed ICC visualization.
- Examined ICC networks in the lower esophageal sphincter, stomach, small intestine, and colon.
- Employed anti-histamine antibodies to differentiate ICC from mast cells.
Main Results:
- Identified complex ICC networks throughout the primate GI tract with structural similarities to rodents.
- Characterized ICC-MY, ICC-IM, and ICC-SEP populations.
- Observed spindle-shaped histamine-positive mast cells in the lamina propria.
Conclusions:
- Similar ICC subpopulations exist in the GI tracts of primates and rodents.
- The structural findings support the validity of using rodent models for functional ICC studies.
- This research provides a comparative basis for understanding GI motility mechanisms.
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