Korean J Anat.  2002 Apr;35(2):153-159.

The Morphological Study of the Protein Gene Product (PGP) 9.5-like Immunoreactive Enteric Nervous System in Murine Ileum: Close Relation to Interstitial Cells of Cajal (ICC) in Confocal Laser Scanning Microscopy

• Chang IY
• You HJ

Abstract

This study was performed to investigate the morphology of the enteric nervous system and interstitial cells of Cajal (ICC) in the murine ileum. The PGP9.5-like immunoreactive (PGP9.5-LI) neurons and the c-Kit-like immunoreactive (c-Kit-LI) ICCs were stained by indirect immunofluorescence method and were observed under the confocal laser scanning microscopy. According to three dimensional reconstruction study, it was found that the PGP9.5-LI neurons and the c-Kit-LI ICCs were widely distributed in the intestinal wall : (1) In circular muscle layer, PGP9.5-LI nerve fibers were paralell to circular muscle layer. (2) In the myenteric plexus, the PGP9.5-LI nerve were closely apposed to the adjacent PGP9.5-LI nerve, constituting the networks. (3) In double-labeling immunohistochemistry using anti-PGP9.5 and anti-c-Kit antibodies, the c-Kit-LI networks encircled around the neural strands. The characteristic arrangement of the PGP9.5-LI enteric nervous system and the ICC containing c-Kit-positive cells provide a morphological basis upon the mechanism regulating gastro-intestinal motility and the pathogenesis of gatro-intestinal disorders.

Keyword

PGP9.5; c-Kit; Interstitial cells of Cajal (ICC); Enteric nervous system; G-I motility; Mouse

MeSH Terms

Animals
Antibodies
Enteric Nervous System*
Fluorescent Antibody Technique, Indirect
Ileum*
Immunohistochemistry
Interstitial Cells of Cajal*
Mice
Microscopy, Confocal*
Myenteric Plexus
Nerve Fibers
Neurons
Antibodies