Analysis of plasticity of interstitial cells of Cajal and its molecular mechanism by cell fate tracing method

2017 Fiscal Year Final Research Report

• Project/Area Number: 16H06740
• Research Category: Grant-in-Aid for Research Activity Start-up
• Allocation Type: Single-year Grants
• Research Field: Veterinary medical science
• Research Institution: The University of Tokyo
• Principal Investigator: Kaji Noriyuki 東京大学, 大学院農学生命科学研究科(農学部), 助教 (20779318)
• Project Period (FY): 2016-08-26 – 2018-03-31
• Keywords: カハール介在細胞 / ICC / 可塑性

Outline of Final Research Achievements

The reporter protein was expressed in the interstitial cells of Cajal (ICC) but also intestinal smooth muscle cells in ANO1-Cre; reporter mice. This result suggests that common precursor cell of ICC and smooth muscle cell express ANO1. The most of c-Kit-positive ICC at the myenteric plexus layer were also positive for AIC, an antibody for ICC. However, some of AIC-positive cells did not express c-Kit although the cells were connected with c-Kit-positive ICC networks. Since AIC-positive cells were retained, compared with other ICC markers, in the smooth muscle layer obtained from postoperative ileus model mouse, it was suggested that AIC could be a marker of dedifferentiated ICC.Treatment of cultured ICC with low concentration of nitric oxide (NO) donor promote the growth of ICC networks. On the other hand, treatment with high concentration of NO donor decreased c-Kit-positive ICC. This result suggest that NO is key molecule to regulate the fate of ICC.

Free Research Field

獣医薬理学