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Updated: Aug 6, 2025

In Situ Ca2+ Imaging of the Enteric Nervous System
Published on: January 29, 2015
Tryptase activates enteric glial cells followed by affecting neuronal properties possibly via the stimuli-associated
Kazunari Tominaga1, Yoshiko Fujikawa2
1Department of Gastroenterology, JCHO Hoshigaoka Medical Center, 4-8-1, Hoshigaoka, Hirakata, 573-8511, Japan.
Objectives:
Mast cell-derived tryptase causes neuronal elongation/sensitization leading to visceral hypersensitivity. However, effects of tryptase on enteric glial cells (EGCs) and subsequent interaction between EGCs and neurons remain unknown.
Methods:
We evaluated proteins and mRNA expressions in EGC (CRL-2690, ATCC) after tryptase stimulation: nerve growth factor (NGF), netrin-1, and glial cell-derived neurotrophic factor (GDNF). We examined morphological changes in neurons (PC12 cells, CRL-1721.1) by co-incubation with the conditioned medium of EGCs after tryptase stimulation.
Results:
EGC was activated by tryptase, and proliferated (by 1.8-fold) with cytoplasmic expansion and process elongation. Intercellular connections of EGC were more complexed. Tryptase induced mRNA expression (2.5-fold) and protein expression of NGF. Netrin-1 (3-fold) and GDNF (3-fold) mRNA expressions were increased at 30 min. Increase in netrin-1 continued until 6 h, whereas the latter decreased by 3 h. The conditioned medium of EGC after tryptase stimulation expanded neuronal cytoplasm (round or ramified shapes) and neurite outgrowth with elongation of cytoskeletal filaments in time-dependent and dose-dependent manners. These changes were similar to those after NGF stimulation. Growth cone proteins of neurons were also increased by the conditioned medium.
Conclusion:
EGC activated by tryptase changes neuronal morphology (process elongation and cytoplasm expansion) possibly via the stimuli-associated mediators.
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