Responses to enteric motor neurons in the gastric fundus of mice with reduced intramuscular interstitial cells of cajal.

Background/aims: Interstitial cells of Cajal (ICC) play important functions in motor activity of the gastrointestinal tract. The role of ICC as pace-makers is well established, however their participation in neurotransmission is controversial. Studies using mutant animals that lack ICC have yielded variable conclusions on their importance in enteric motor responses.

Distribution and Ca(2+) signalling of fibroblast-like (PDGFR(+)) cells in the murine gastric fundus.

Platelet-derived growth factor receptor α positive (PDGFRα(+)) cells are suggested to mediate purinergic inputs in GI muscles, but the responsiveness of these cells to purines in situ has not been evaluated. We developed techniques to label and visualize PDGFRα(+) cells in murine gastric fundus, load cells with Ca(2+) indicators, and follow their activity via digital imaging. Immunolabelling demonstrated a high density of PDGFRα(+) cells in the fundus.