Are gap junctions necessary for cell-to-cell coupling of smooth muscle?: an update

1992 ◽  
Vol 70 (4) ◽  
pp. 481-490 ◽  
Author(s):  
R. E. Garfield ◽  
G. Thilander ◽  
M. G. Blennerhassett ◽  
N. Sakai
Keyword(s):  
Smooth Muscle ◽  
Gap Junctions ◽  
Current Knowledge ◽  
Smooth Muscles ◽  
Cell Communication ◽  
Circular Muscle ◽  
Cell Coupling ◽  
And Function ◽  
Longitudinal Layer ◽  
Cell Cell

Earlier, it was questioned whether gap junctions (GJs) were necessary for cell–cell communication in smooth muscle, and GJs were not seen in some smooth muscles. We reexamined this question in the myometrium and in intestinal smooth muscle, in light of current knowledge of the presence and function of GJs. In the uterus, numerous studies show that an increase in GJ number is associated with the onset of delivery and is required for effective parturition. In all cases, this increase in GJ number and the changes in uterine contractility were correlated with increased electrical and metabolic coupling. Evidence for the much smaller, but detectable, degree of electrical coupling in the preterm uterus is explained by the small (but again detectable) number of GJs present. In the intestine, GJs are readily detected in the circular muscle layer but have not been described in the adjacent longitudinal layer. While our immunohistochemical studies failed to detect GJs in the longitudinal layer, this may not be adequate to prove their absence. Therefore, current knowledge of GJ number and function is adequate to explain cell–cell coupling in the uterus. Although it remains uncertain whether GJs are absent from the longitudinal muscle of the intestine, there is no definitive evidence that cell–cell coupling can occur by means other than GJs.Key words: gap junctions, myometrium, connexins, smooth muscle, cell communication.

Types of cell contacts in different smooth muscles

1978 ◽  
Vol 36 (2) ◽  
pp. 320-321
Author(s):  
Ruth M. Henderson
Keyword(s):  
Electron Microscopy ◽  
Smooth Muscle ◽  
Gap Junctions ◽  
Cross Sections ◽  
Smooth Muscles ◽  
Double Staining ◽  
Cell Coupling ◽  
Standard Methods ◽  
Cell Contacts ◽  
Arterial Perfusion

It is generally agreed that, where present, gap junctions or nexuses provide low-resistance pathways for cell-to-cell coupling of activity. Though these contacts were first described in smooth muscle and occur widely there, some types of smooth muscle contain few or no gap junctions, and many contain other types of contacts.A variety of smooth muscles from several species was fixed with phosphate-buffered glutaraldehyde by intra-arterial perfusion or by immersion of small strips. Samples were prepared for electron microscopy by standard methods, using oriented embedding to view muscle in both longitudinal and cross sections.Four types of cell contacts were identified in various smooth muscles, which have been previously recognized. 1) The gap junction or nexus appears with the usual double staining as a five-layered contact, often with adjacent clear areas of cytoplasm (Fig. 1).

scholarly journals Influence of layer separation on the determination of stomach smooth muscle properties

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mischa Borsdorf ◽  
Markus Böl ◽  
Tobias Siebert
Keyword(s):  
Smooth Muscle ◽  
Muscle Fibers ◽  
Smooth Muscles ◽  
Muscle Layer ◽  
Uniaxial Tensile ◽  
Muscle Properties ◽  
Layer Separation ◽  
Isotonic Contractions ◽  
Longitudinal Layer

AbstractUniaxial tensile experiments are a standard method to determine the contractile properties of smooth muscles. Smooth muscle strips from organs of the urogenital and gastrointestinal tract contain multiple muscle layers with different muscle fiber orientations, which are frequently not separated for the experiments. During strip activation, these muscle fibers contract in deviant orientations from the force-measuring axis, affecting the biomechanical characteristics of the tissue strips. This study aimed to investigate the influence of muscle layer separation on the determination of smooth muscle properties. Smooth muscle strips, consisting of longitudinal and circumferential muscle layers (whole-muscle strips [WMS]), and smooth muscle strips, consisting of only the circumferential muscle layer (separated layer strips [SLS]), have been prepared from the fundus of the porcine stomach. Strips were mounted with muscle fibers of the circumferential layer inline with the force-measuring axis of the uniaxial testing setup. The force–length (FLR) and force–velocity relationships (FVR) were determined through a series of isometric and isotonic contractions, respectively. Muscle layer separation revealed no changes in the FLR. However, the SLS exhibited a higher maximal shortening velocity and a lower curvature factor than WMS. During WMS activation, the transversally oriented muscle fibers of the longitudinal layer shortened, resulting in a narrowing of this layer. Expecting volume constancy of muscle tissue, this narrowing leads to a lengthening of the longitudinal layer, which counteracted the shortening of the circumferential layer during isotonic contractions. Consequently, the shortening velocities of the WMS were decreased significantly. This effect was stronger at high shortening velocities.

Morphology of the canine pyloric sphincter in relation to function

1989 ◽  
Vol 67 (12) ◽  
pp. 1560-1573 ◽  
Author(s):  
E. E. Daniel ◽  
I. Berezin ◽  
H. D. Allescher ◽  
H. Manaka ◽  
V. Posey-Daniel
Keyword(s):  
Smooth Muscle ◽  
Substance P ◽  
Smooth Muscle Cells ◽  
Gap Junctions ◽  
Vasoactive Intestinal Polypeptide ◽  
Interstitial Cells Of Cajal ◽  
Circular Muscle ◽  
Interstitial Cells ◽  
Pyloric Sphincter ◽  
Cells Of Cajal

The ultrastructure and immunocytochemistry of the canine distal pyloric muscle loop, the pyloric sphincter, were studied. Cells in this muscle were connected by gap junctions, fewer than in the antrum or corpus. The sphincter had a dense innervation and a sparse population of interstitial cells of Cajal. Most such cells were of the circular muscle type but a few were of the type in the myenteric plexus. Nerves were sometimes associated with interstitial cell profiles, but most nerves were neither close to nor associated with interstitial cells nor close to smooth muscle cells. Nerve profiles were characterized by an unusually high proportion of varicosities with a majority or a high proportion of large granular vesicles. Many of these were shown to contain material immunoreactive for vasoactive intestinal polypeptide (VIP) and some had substance P (SP) immunoreactive material. All were presumed to be peptidergic. VIP was present in a higher concentration in this muscle than in adjacent antral or duodenal circular muscle. Interstitial cells of Cajal made gap junctions to smooth muscle and to one another and might provide myogenic pacemaking activity for this muscle, but there was no evidence of a close or special relationship between nerves with VIP or SP and these cells. The absence of close relationships between nerves and either interstitial cells or smooth muscle cells leaves unanswered questions about the structural basis for previous observations of discrete excitatory responses or pyloric sphincter to single stimuli or nerves up to one per second. In conclusion, the structural observations suggest that this muscle has special neural and myogenic control systems and that interstitial cells may function to control myogenic activity of this muscle but not to mediate neural signals.Key words: vasoactive intestinal polypeptide, interstitial cells of Cajal, neuropeptides, gap junctions, substance P.

The Morphology of the Gut of the Brown Trout (Salmo trutta)

1959 ◽  
Vol s3-100 (50) ◽  
pp. 183-198
Author(s):  
G. BURNSTOCK
Keyword(s):  
Smooth Muscle ◽  
Salmo Trutta ◽  
Longitudinal Muscle ◽  
Circular Muscle ◽  
Living System ◽  
Cardiac Stomach ◽  
Longitudinal Smooth Muscle ◽  
Brown Trout Salmo Trutta ◽  
Pyloric Stomach ◽  
Longitudinal Layer

1. In the trout gut a short oesophagus containing only striated circular muscles opens into a large cardiac stomach possessing inner circular and outer longitudinal smooth muscle-coats, as well as a musculsris mucosse. Ahout 45 pyloric caeca come off the intestine, which, while containing muscle-coats, does not possess a muscularis mucosae. In the rectum, the longitudinal muscle is as thick as the circular muscle-coat, hut in other regions the circular muscle is dominant, especially in the pyloric stomach where it is over 10 times as thick ss the longitudinal layer. 2. The mucosa is distinguished by the presence of a prominent layer of dense collagen, the stratum compactum, which is perforated only by nerves and blood-vessels. This layer forms a firm and relatively inextensible (approximately 10% extensibility) basis to the gut-wall. It limits the extensibility of the smooth muscle to 75% radially in the stomach and 25% radially and longitudinally in the intestine. In contrast, the stomachs of the pike and perch, which do not possess a stratum compactum, extend up so 200%. 3. A detailed description of the regional junctions and sphincters gives a basis for the interpretation of events occurring in the living system. Valves at the junction of the pneumatic duct with the oesophagus, and between the duodenum and pyloric stomach, serve to prevent the regurgitation of gas and semi-digested food respectively. A complex sphincter mechanism exists at the pylorus, and to a lesser extent at the antrum. A series of about five circular muscle-constrictors represents the anus. 4. It is suggested that the cells forming the stratum granulosum, a layer closely associated with the stratum compactum, are composed of active fibroblast cells producing collagen. 5. The rectum contains a muscular annulo-spiral septum of unknown function which protrudes into the lumen.

scholarly journals Identification of serotonergic (5HT1A-type) receptors in broiler small intestine by application of serotonin and its agonists and antagonists

2011 ◽  
Vol 65 (1-2) ◽  
pp. 51-59 ◽  
Author(s):  
Indira Mujezinovic ◽  
Vitomir Cupic ◽  
Ahmed Smajlovic ◽  
Mehmed Muminovic
Keyword(s):  
Smooth Muscle ◽  
Small Intestine ◽  
Smooth Muscles ◽  
Muscle Layer ◽  
Force Transducer ◽  
Mechanical Activity ◽  
Organ Bath ◽  
Pathological Conditions ◽  
Isolated Organ Bath ◽  
Longitudinal Layer

Serotonin or 5-hydroxytryptamine (5-HT), is a monoamine neurotransmitter synthesised from L-tryptophan in serotonergic neurons and enterochromaffin cells of the gastrointestinal tract. This neurotransmitter is widely distributed in the animal and plant kingdom and regulates some central and peripheral functions through several types of specific serotonergic (5-HT) receptors. Since it is known that the effect of serotonin, especially in pathological conditions, is very important, we believe that determining the types of receptors for this substance would make it possible to use their agonist or antagonists, which would undoubtedly enhance the pharmacotherapy of functional disruption of the small intestine in broilers. Investigations were carried out on isolated smooth muscle strips of the circular and longitudinal layer of the broiler small intestine (strip dimension 3-4 mm x 2 cm). The muscle strips were placed in an isolated organ bath. The mechanical activity of the preparations was recorded via an isotonic force transducer coupled to a pen recorder. This was done following the addition of serotonin (nonselective 5-HT agonist), 8-OH-DPAT (selective 5-HT1A agonist) and spiroxatrin (selective 5-HT1A antagonist). The sensitivity of the tissues to acetylcholine was tested before starting the experiments. Using the obtained results, it can be concluded that 5HT1A type receptors are present in smooth muscles of the broiler small intestine, duodenum and ileum, especially in the longitudinal smooth muscle layer which reacted with contractions even to low serotonin concentration (10-6), but not in the jejunum.

Myosin phosphorylation and contraction of feline esophageal smooth muscle

1985 ◽  
Vol 249 (1) ◽  
pp. C9-C14 ◽  
Author(s):  
N. W. Weisbrodt ◽  
R. A. Murphy
Keyword(s):  
Smooth Muscle ◽  
Mechanical Activation ◽  
Smooth Muscles ◽  
Circular Muscle ◽  
Electrical Field Stimulation ◽  
Muscle Layer ◽  
Field Stimulation ◽  
Shortening Velocity ◽  
Myosin Phosphorylation ◽  
Isotonic Shortening

We tested the hypothesis that phosphorylation of the 20,000-Da light chain of myosin (LC 20) is related to mechanical activation of esophageal smooth muscle. Circular muscle layer strips of cat esophagus were taken from the lower esophageal sphincter (LES) and the distal esophageal body (EB). The LES strips developed tone spontaneously, and the EB strips were tonically contracted with carbachol. Both tissues relaxed in response to electrical-field stimulation. Phosphorylation of the LC 20 was determined in tissues quick-frozen during relaxation and during stress redevelopment after cessation of field stimulation. Stress and phosphorylation levels were low after 30 s of field stimulation, and a rapid contraction followed field stimulation. Phosphorylation in the LES increased from 0.043 +/- 0.029 to 0.328 +/- 0.043 mol Pi/mol LC 20 within 10 s after stimulation of the inhibitory nerves was terminated, while stress was still rising rapidly. Phosphorylation in the LES then declined to a steady-state value of 0.162 +/- 0.034 mol Pi/mol LC 20 after 10 min. Isotonic shortening velocities at a constant afterload following a quick release showed changes with time that were proportional to the level of phosphorylation. This was also true for values of maximal shortening velocity estimated for zero external load and for the rate of stress redevelopment after a step shortening. Comparable measurements were made in the carbachol-contracted EB. These results indicate that visceral smooth muscles, which normally function tonically (LES) or phasically (EB), exhibit an initial rapid mechanical activation associated with myosin phosphorylation.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

scholarly journals TGF-β1 facilitates cell–cell communication in osteocytes via connexin43- and pannexin1-dependent gap junctions

2019 ◽  
Vol 5 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Wenjing Liu ◽  
Demao Zhang ◽  
Xin Li ◽  
Liwei Zheng ◽  
Chen Cui ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Gap Junctions ◽  
Molecular Mechanisms ◽  
Ex Vivo ◽  
Lucifer Yellow ◽  
Cell Communication ◽  
Deep Understanding ◽  
Gap Junctional Intercellular Communication ◽  
Tgf Β1 ◽  
Cell Cell

Abstract Connexins and pannexins are two families of channel forming proteins that are able to pass small molecules to achieve communication between cells. While connexins have been recognized to mediate gap junctional intercellular communication (GJIC), pannexins are far less known. Our previous study reported the potential role of TGF-β1 in mediating of connexins in osteocytes in vitro. Herein, we aimed to elucidate the influence of TGF-β1 on cell–cell communication based on gap junctions assembled by connexins and pannexins in vitro and ex vivo. We first showed that TGF-β1 positively affected the elongation of dendritic processes of osteocytes. Our data indicated that TGF-β1 increased expressions of connexin43 (Cx43) and pannexin1 (panx1), which are indispensable for hemichannel formation in gap junctions, in osteocytes in vitro and ex vivo. TGF-β1 enhanced gap junction formation and impacted cell–cell communication in living osteocytes, as indicated by the scrape loading and Lucifer yellow transfer assays. TGF-β1 enhanced the expressions of Cx43 and panx1 via activation of ERK1/2 and Smad3/4 signalling. The TGF-β1-restored expressions of Cx43 and panx1 in osteocytes in the presence of an ERK inhibitor, U0126, further demonstrated the direct participation of Smad3/4 signalling. TGF-β1 increased the accumulation of Smad3 in the nuclear region (immunofluorescence assay) and promoted the enrichment of Smad3 at the binding sites of the promoters of Gja1 (Cx43) and Panx1 (ChIP assay), thereby initiating the enhanced gene expression. These results provide a deep understanding of the molecular mechanisms involved in the modulation of cell–cell communication in osteocytes induced by TGF-β1.

Cholinergic nerve-mediated excitation in the guinea pig choledochoduodenal junction activated by distension

1994 ◽  
Vol 267 (5) ◽  
pp. G938-G946 ◽  
Author(s):  
F. Vogalis ◽  
R. R. Bywater ◽  
G. S. Taylor
Keyword(s):  
Smooth Muscle ◽  
Guinea Pig ◽  
Action Potential ◽  
Action Potentials ◽  
Discharge Rate ◽  
Circular Muscle ◽  
Muscle Layer ◽  
Circular Muscle Layer ◽  
Circular Layer ◽  
Longitudinal Layer

The electrical basis of propulsive contractions in the guinea pig choledochoduodenal junction (CDJ), which are triggered by distension, was investigated using intracellular microelectrode recording techniques. The isolated CDJ was placed in a continuously perfused tissue chamber at 37 degrees C. Membrane potential was recorded from smooth muscle cells in either the ampulla or in the upper CDJ (upper junction) regions, which were immobilized by pinning. Distension of the upper junction (20-30 s) by increasing intraductal hydrostatic pressure (mean elevation: 2.0 +/- 0.3 kPa, n = 13) triggered "transient depolarizations" (TDs: < 5 mV in amplitude and 2-5 s in duration) and action potentials in the circular muscle layer of the ampulla. The frequency of TDs in the ampulla was increased from 2.2 +/- 0.2 to 15.9 +/- 2.2 min-1 (n = 13) during distension. Simultaneous impalements of cells in the longitudinal and circular muscle layers in the ampulla revealed that subthreshold TDs in the circular layer were associated with an increased rate of action potential discharge in the longitudinal layer. Atropine (Atr; 1.4 x 10(-6) M) and tetrodotoxin (TTX; 3.1 x 10(-6) M blocked the distension-evoked increase in TD frequency, without affecting the frequency of ongoing TDs. The sulfated octapeptide of cholecystokinin (1-5 x 10(-8) M) increased the amplitude of TDs recorded in the circular muscle layer of the ampulla and increased action potential discharge rate. In separate recordings, radial stretch of the ampulla region increased the rate of discharge of action potentials in the smooth muscle of the upper junction.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Proteins of interstitial cells of Cajal and intestinal smooth muscle, colocalized with caveolin-1

2005 ◽  
Vol 288 (3) ◽  
pp. G571-G585 ◽  
Author(s):  
Woo Jung Cho ◽  
E. E. Daniel
Keyword(s):  
Skeletal Muscle ◽  
Smooth Muscle ◽  
Gap Junction ◽  
Interstitial Cells Of Cajal ◽  
Smooth Muscles ◽  
Circular Muscle ◽  
Interstitial Cells ◽  
Caveolin 1 ◽  
Cells Of Cajal ◽  
Junction Proteins

The murine jejunum and lower esophageal sphincter (LES) were examined to determine the locations of various signaling molecules and their colocalization with caveolin-1 and one another. Caveolin-1 was present in punctate sites of the plasma membranes (PM) of all smooth muscles and diffusely in all classes of interstitial cells of Cajal (ICC; identified by c-kit immunoreactivity), ICC-myenteric plexus (MP), ICC-deep muscular plexus (DMP), ICC-serosa (ICC-S), and ICC-intramuscularis (IM). In general, all ICC also contained the L-type Ca2+ (L-Ca2+) channel, the PM Ca2+ pump, and the Na+/Ca2+ exchanger-1 localized with caveolin-1. ICC in various sites also contained Ca2+-sequestering molecules such as calreticulin and calsequestrin. Calreticulin was present also in smooth muscle, frequently in the cytosol, whereas calsequestrin was present in skeletal muscle of the esophagus. Gap junction proteins connexin-43 and -40 were present in circular muscle of jejunum but not in longitudinal muscle or in LES. In some cases, these proteins were associated with ICC-DMP. The large-conductance Ca2+-activated K+ channel was present in smooth muscle and skeletal muscle of esophagus and some ICC but was not colocalized with caveolin-1. These findings suggest that all ICC have several Ca2+-handling and -sequestering molecules, although the functions of only the L-Ca2+ channel are currently known. They also suggest that gap junction proteins are located at sites where ultrastructural gap junctions are know to exist in circular muscle of intestine but not in other smooth muscles. These findings also point to the need to evaluate the function of Ca2+ sequestration in ICC.

Protein phosphorylation in cardiac and vascular smooth muscle

1981 ◽  
Vol 241 (2) ◽  
pp. H117-H128 ◽  
Author(s):  
M. Barany ◽  
K. Barany
Keyword(s):  
Smooth Muscle ◽  
Protein Phosphorylation ◽  
Light Chain ◽  
Myosin Light Chain ◽  
Current Knowledge ◽  
Smooth Muscles ◽  
Arterial Smooth Muscle ◽  
Cardiac Sarcoplasmic Reticulum ◽  
The Many ◽  
Contraction Cycle

In the heart and arterial smooth muscles, several proteins are phosphorylated. This review summarizes our current knowledge about these phosphoproteins and their possible role in the function of these muscles. In the contractile apparatus, the phosphorylation of myosin light chain seems to be an integral part of the contraction cycle of arterial smooth muscle. However, in the heart the relationship between light chain phosphorylation-dehosphorylation and systolic-diastolic states remains open. In the heart, the phosphorylation of the inhibitory subunit of troponin, a myofibrillar protein, parallels the positive inotropic response induced by beta-adrenergic agonists. It seems likely that this phosphorylation is involved in the physiological stimulation of the heart by epinephrine. Cardiac sarcoplasmic reticulum contains a low-molecular-weight protein, phospholamban, the phosphorylation of which is required for Ca2+ transport. Ion fluxes through the heart sarcolemma may also be controlled through membrane protein phosphorylation. Key enzymes of the energy-yielding pathways in the heart, the pyruvate dehydrogenase multienzyme complex and phosphorylase, are turned on and off by phosphorylation-dephosphorylation mechanisms. Our understanding of protein phosphorylation in the heart has advanced greatly. In contrast, with the exception of the myosin light chain, much less is known about the many proteins phosphorylated in arterial smooth muscle.

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