Properties of Pacemaker Potentials Recorded from Myenteric Interstitial Cells of Cajal Distributed in the Mouse Small Intestine

Abstract

Recording of electrical responses from isolated small intestine of mice using conventional microelectrodes revealed two types of potential, a pacemaker potential and a slow wave, both with rapid rising primary components and following plateau components. The rate of rise and peak amplitude were greater for pacemaker potentials than for slow waves, and the plateau component was smaller in slow waves than in pacemaker potentials. Both potentials oscillated at a similar frequency (20–30 min⁻¹). Unitary potentials often discharged during the interval between pacemaker potentials. Infusion of Lucifer Yellow allowed visualization of the recorded cells; pacemaker potentials were recorded from myenteric interstitial cells of Cajal (ICC-MY) while slow waves were recorded from circular smooth muscle cells. Pacemaker potentials were characterized as follows: the primary component was inhibited by Ni²⁺, Ca²⁺-free solution or depolarization with high-K⁺ solution, the plateau component was inhibited by 4,4′-diisothiocyanostilbene-2,2′-disulphonic acid (DIDS), an inhibitor of Ca²⁺-activated Cl⁻ channels, low [Cl⁻]_o solution or Ca²⁺-free solution, and the generation of potentials was abolished by co-application of Ni²⁺and DIDS or by chelating intracellular Ca²⁺ with 1,2-bis(2-aminophenoxy)ethane-N,N,N’,N’-tetraacetic acid acetoxymethyl ester (BAPTA-AM). These results indicate that in the mouse small intestine ICC-MY generate pacemaker potentials with two components in situ; the primary and plateau components may be generated by activation of voltage-dependent Ca²⁺-permeable channels and Ca²⁺-activated Cl⁻ channels, respectively. Slow waves are generated in circular smooth muscles via electrotonic spread of pacemaker potentials. These properties of intestinal pacemaker potentials are considered essentially similar to those of gastric pacemaker potentials.