Development of neuromuscular junctions in the mouse esophagus: focus on establishment and reduction of enteric co-innervation

Abstract.

The development of vagal and enteric innervation of esophageal motor endplates was examined in perinatal and adult BALB/c and NMRI mice using immunocytochemistry and confocal laser scanning microscopy. Nicotinic acetylcholine receptors were demonstrated with fluorochrome-tagged α-bungarotoxin, vagal motor terminals with antisera against vesicular acetylcholine transporter and calcitonin gene-related peptide, and enteric nerve terminals with antisera against neuronal nitric oxide synthase, vasoactive intestinal peptide and galanin. Results demonstrated that enteric and vagal innervations of striated esophageal muscle fibers develop in close spatiotemporal relationship, but with different courses. Connections between VAChT-positive vagal nerve terminals and growing acetylcholine receptor clusters were established from E17 to reach 100% motor endplate innervation at P14 and were maintained throughout adult life. CGRP immunoreactivity developed with a delay of several days after the appearance of VAChT in vagal terminals. From P14 to adulthood CGRP was colocalized with VAChT in almost all motor endplates. In contrast, enteric co-innervation rates increased from E17 to a maximum of 70–80% at P4, while their incidence at motor endplates progressively declined over the following 5 months to lower levels maintained throughout adulthood. Whereas adult enteric co-innervation rates in BALB/c and NMRI mice differed significantly (∼30% versus ∼10%, respectively), their increase and reduction, respectively, during development showed an identical time course. These results suggest a well-ordered sequence of attraction of enteric nerve fibers to, and removal from motor endplates in the developing mouse esophagus. Thus, enteric co-innervation may subserve a functional role in the development and control of perinatal striated esophageal muscle rather than representing an unspecific "hangover" from the smooth muscle past of this organ.