생쥐 창자의 c-kit 및 substance-P 수용체(SPR)에 대한 공초점주사현미경적 연구

Abstract

Backgrounds and Objectives : Immunolabelling of interstitial cells of Cajal(ICC) in the intestinal wall has recently been developed by using a specific marker, antibody to c-kit proto-oncogene. Substance-P is a well-known neurotransmitter in the central and enteric nervous system. Since the gastro-intestinal wall structures have already been well documented in the mouse, immunohistochemistry was done for the c-Kit-positive ICC network and substance-P receptor(SPR) in an attempt to provide a morphological basis for the mechanism regulating gastro-intestinal movement. Materials and Methods: Whole-mount preparations of mouse small intestine and colon were immunolabelled using the anti-c-Kit and SPR antibodies. Single and double labelled specimens were observed under a confocal laser scanning microscope. Results: According to a three dimensional reconstruction study, it was found that (1) the c-Kit-positive celluar networks were widely distributed in the circular muscle layer and myenteric plexus of intestinal wall, (2) c-Kit-positive celluar networks encircled the myentric ganglionic cells, with reticular configurations, (3) the SPR-positive cells were observed in the circular muscle layer and myentric ganglionic cell bodies, and (4) the c-Kit-positive cells showed colocalization with SPR in circular muscle, not myenteric plexus. Conclusion: The profiles of ICC containing c-Kit-positive celluar networks and the colocalization between c-Kit-positive and SPR-positive structures provide a morphological basis upon the mechanism regulating gastro-intestinal motility.