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Intercellular communication in smooth muscle

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Abstract

The functioning of a group of cells as a tissue depends on intercellular communication; an example is the spread of action potentials through intestinal tissue resulting in synchronized contraction. Recent evidence for cell heterogeneity within smooth muscle tissues has renewed research into cell coupling.Electrical coupling is essential for propagation of action potentials in gastrointestinal smooth muscle.Metabolic coupling may be involved in generation of pacemaker activity. This review deals with the role of cell coupling in tissue function and some of the issues discussed are the relationship between electrical synchronization and gap junctions, metabolic coupling, and the role of interstitial cells of Cajal in coupling.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Intestinal Disease Research Unit, McMaster University, 1200 Main Street West, L8N 3Z5, Hamilton, Ontairo, Canada

    J. D. Huizinga, L. W. C. Liu & A. Molleman

  2. Department of Biomedical Sciences, McMaster University, 1200 Main Street West, L8N 3Z5, Hamilton, Ontario, Canada

    J. D. Huizinga, L. W. C. Liu & A. Molleman

  3. Department of Pathology, McMaster University, 1200 Main Street West, L8N 3Z5, Hamilton, Ontario, Canada

    M. G. Blennerhassett

  4. Department of Anatomy, University of Copenhagen, Panum Institute, Copenhagen, Denmark

    L. Thuneberg

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  1. J. D. Huizinga
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  2. L. W. C. Liu
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  3. M. G. Blennerhassett
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  4. L. Thuneberg
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  5. A. Molleman
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Huizinga, J.D., Liu, L.W.C., Blennerhassett, M.G. et al. Intercellular communication in smooth muscle. Experientia 48, 932–941 (1992). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01919140

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