The roles of PDGFRα signaling in the postnatal development and functional maintenance of the SMC-ICC-PDGFRα+ cell (SIP) syncytium in the colon.

Background: The SIP syncytium in the gut consists of smooth muscle cells, interstitial cells of Cajal, and PDGFRα+ cells. We studied the fate of SIP cells after blocking PDGFRα receptor to explore the roles of PDGFRα signaling in the postnatal development and functional maintenance of the SIP syncytium.

Methods: Crenolanib was administered to mice from P0, P10, or P50.