Ca²⁺ signalling in interstitial cells of Cajal contributes to generation and maintenance of tone in mouse and monkey lower oesophageal sphincters.

ABSTRACT: The lower oesophageal sphincter (LES) generates tone and prevents reflux of gastric contents. LES smooth muscle cells (SMCs) are relatively depolarised, facilitating activation of Ca_v 1.2 channels to sustain contractile tone. We hypothesised that intramuscular interstitial cells of Cajal (ICC-IM), through activation of Ca²⁺ -activated Cl^- channels (ANO1), set membrane potentials of SMCs favourable for activation of Ca_v 1.2 channels. In some gastrointestinal muscles, ANO1 channels in ICC-IM are activated by Ca²⁺ transients, but no studies have examined Ca²⁺ dynamics in ICC-IM within the LES. Immunohistochemistry and qPCR were used to determine expression of key proteins and genes in ICC-IM and SMCs. These studies revealed tha

SUBMITTER: Drumm BT 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC9167266 | biostudies-literature | 2022 Jun

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature