Distribution of heme oxygenase 2 in nerves and c-kit(+) interstitial cells in human stomach

Different populations of interstitial cells (ICs) may serve as gut pacemakers or as intermediaries between enteric nerves and smooth muscle cells. However, very little is known about the substances that ICs might use to communicate with other cells and no data are available in humans. Because carbon...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Histochemistry and cell biology 1999-10, Vol.112 (4), p.317-322
Main Authors: Porcher, C, Orsoni, P, Berdah, S, Monges, G, Mazet, B
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Adult
Aged
Aged, 80 and over
c-Kit protein
Carbon monoxide
Cell Communication
Confocal microscopy
Enteric nervous system
Female
Fluorescent Antibody Technique, Indirect
Ganglia
Gastric motility
Heme
Heme Oxygenase (Decyclizing) - metabolism
Humans
Immunoreactivity
Interstitial cells
Male
Middle Aged
Muscle, Smooth - innervation
Myenteric plexus
Myenteric Plexus - cytology
Myenteric Plexus - enzymology
Nerve Fibers - enzymology
Nerves
Neurons - enzymology
Oxygenase
Pacemakers
Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-kit - metabolism
Pyloric Antrum - cytology
Pyloric Antrum - enzymology
Pyloric Antrum - innervation
Smooth muscle
Stomach
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Summary:Different populations of interstitial cells (ICs) may serve as gut pacemakers or as intermediaries between enteric nerves and smooth muscle cells. However, very little is known about the substances that ICs might use to communicate with other cells and no data are available in humans. Because carbon monoxide (CO) is emerging as a putative mediator in the regulation of gastrointestinal motility, this study examined the presence of heme oxygenase (HO2), the constitutive form of the enzyme for CO production, in human stomach with particular attention to ICs. The distribution of HO2 in nerves and ICs in human antrum was studied using specific antibodies. The immunostaining was observed using confocal laser scanning microscopy. HO2 immunoreactivity was found in myenteric neurons and nerve fibers supplying the circular muscle layer and in intramuscular c-kit(+) ICs, but not in c-kit(+) ICs surrounding the myenteric ganglia. The presence of HO2 in different cell types suggests that CO may serve as an intercellular messenger between myenteric neurons and ICs and between ICs and smooth muscle cells in human stomach.
ISSN:0948-6143
1432-119X
DOI:10.1007/s004180050453