Summary
In order to clarify the function and kinetics of varicose swellings in the neurites, we examined the co-culture effects of smooth muscle cells on the varicosity formation in cultured neuronal cells (PC-12 and primary cultured superior cervical ganglion cells). The number and frequency of varicosities of PC-12 cells increased significantly when the cells were grown onto confluently cultured smooth muscle cells. The varicosities moved not only anterogradely but also retrogradely. After stimulation by acetylcholine or high K+, non-synaptic release of core vesicles was demonstrated in the varicosities by electron microscopy. These results indicate that the varicose swellings may function as non-synaptic, flexible nerve terminals.
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© 1996 Birkhäuser Verlag Basel/Switzerland
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Ogaki, H., Furuya, K., Uwo, M.F., Takei, N., Endo, Y. (1996). Varicosity formation and non-synaptic release of large core vesicles in the co-culture of neuronal and smooth muscle cells. In: Krisch, B., Mentlein, R. (eds) The Peptidergic Neuron. Advances in Life Sciences. Birkhäuser Basel. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-0348-9010-6_9
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-0348-9010-6_9
Publisher Name: Birkhäuser Basel
Print ISBN: 978-3-0348-9866-9
Online ISBN: 978-3-0348-9010-6
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