Simultaneous whole-cell patch-clamp and calcium imaging on myenteric neurons. 2022

Zhiling Li, and Werend Boesmans, and Youcef Kazwiny, and Marlene M Hao, and Pieter Vanden Berghe
Laboratory for Enteric Neuroscience, Translational Research Center for Gastrointestinal Disorders, ChroMeta, Katholieke Universiteit Leuven, Leuven, Belgium.

Live calcium imaging is often used as a proxy for electrophysiological measurements and has been a valuable tool that allows simultaneous analysis of neuronal activity in multiple cells at the population level. In the enteric nervous system, there are two main electrophysiological classes of neurons, after-hyperpolarizing (AH)- and synaptic (S)-neurons, which have been shown to have different calcium handling mechanisms. However, they are rarely considered separately in calcium imaging experiments. A handful of studies have shown that in guinea pig, a calcium transient will accompany a single action potential in AH-neurons, but multiple action potentials are required to generate a calcium transient in S-neurons. How this translates to different modes of cellular depolarization and whether this is consistent across species is unknown. In this study, we used simultaneous whole-cell patch-clamp electrophysiology together with calcium imaging to investigate how enteric neurons respond to different modes of depolarization. Using both traditional (4 Hz) and also high-speed (1,000 Hz) imaging techniques, we found that single action potentials elicit calcium transients in both AH-neurons and S-neurons. Subthreshold membrane depolarizations were also able to elicit calcium transients, although calcium responses were generally amplified if an action potential was present. Furthermore, we identified that responses to nicotinic acetylcholine receptor stimulation can be used to distinguish between AH- and S-neurons in calcium imaging.NEW & NOTEWORTHY Live calcium imaging is an important tool for investigating enteric nervous system (ENS) function. Previous studies have shown that multiple action potentials are needed to generate a calcium response in S-neurons, which has important implications for the interpretation of calcium imaging data. Here, we show that in mouse myenteric neurons, calcium transients are elicited by single action potentials in both AH- and S-neurons. In addition, nicotinic acetylcholine receptor stimulation can be used to distinguish between these two classes.

UI MeSH Term Description Entries
D009197 Myenteric Plexus One of two ganglionated neural networks which together form the ENTERIC NERVOUS SYSTEM. The myenteric (Auerbach's) plexus is located between the longitudinal and circular muscle layers of the gut. Its neurons project to the circular muscle, to other myenteric ganglia, to submucosal ganglia, or directly to the epithelium, and play an important role in regulating and patterning gut motility. (From FASEB J 1989;3:127-38) Auerbach's Plexus,Auerbach Plexus,Auerbachs Plexus,Plexus, Auerbach's,Plexus, Myenteric
D009474 Neurons The basic cellular units of nervous tissue. Each neuron consists of a body, an axon, and dendrites. Their purpose is to receive, conduct, and transmit impulses in the NERVOUS SYSTEM. Nerve Cells,Cell, Nerve,Cells, Nerve,Nerve Cell,Neuron
D011978 Receptors, Nicotinic One of the two major classes of cholinergic receptors. Nicotinic receptors were originally distinguished by their preference for NICOTINE over MUSCARINE. They are generally divided into muscle-type and neuronal-type (previously ganglionic) based on pharmacology, and subunit composition of the receptors. Nicotinic Acetylcholine Receptors,Nicotinic Receptors,Nicotinic Acetylcholine Receptor,Nicotinic Receptor,Acetylcholine Receptor, Nicotinic,Acetylcholine Receptors, Nicotinic,Receptor, Nicotinic,Receptor, Nicotinic Acetylcholine,Receptors, Nicotinic Acetylcholine
D002118 Calcium A basic element found in nearly all tissues. It is a member of the alkaline earth family of metals with the atomic symbol Ca, atomic number 20, and atomic weight 40. Calcium is the most abundant mineral in the body and combines with phosphorus to form calcium phosphate in the bones and teeth. It is essential for the normal functioning of nerves and muscles and plays a role in blood coagulation (as factor IV) and in many enzymatic processes. Coagulation Factor IV,Factor IV,Blood Coagulation Factor IV,Calcium-40,Calcium 40,Factor IV, Coagulation
D004594 Electrophysiology The study of the generation and behavior of electrical charges in living organisms particularly the nervous system and the effects of electricity on living organisms.
D006168 Guinea Pigs A common name used for the genus Cavia. The most common species is Cavia porcellus which is the domesticated guinea pig used for pets and biomedical research. Cavia,Cavia porcellus,Guinea Pig,Pig, Guinea,Pigs, Guinea
D006801 Humans Members of the species Homo sapiens. Homo sapiens,Man (Taxonomy),Human,Man, Modern,Modern Man
D000200 Action Potentials Abrupt changes in the membrane potential that sweep along the CELL MEMBRANE of excitable cells in response to excitation stimuli. Spike Potentials,Nerve Impulses,Action Potential,Impulse, Nerve,Impulses, Nerve,Nerve Impulse,Potential, Action,Potential, Spike,Potentials, Action,Potentials, Spike,Spike Potential
D000818 Animals Unicellular or multicellular, heterotrophic organisms, that have sensation and the power of voluntary movement. Under the older five kingdom paradigm, Animalia was one of the kingdoms. Under the modern three domain model, Animalia represents one of the many groups in the domain EUKARYOTA. Animal,Metazoa,Animalia
D051379 Mice The common name for the genus Mus. Mice, House,Mus,Mus musculus,Mice, Laboratory,Mouse,Mouse, House,Mouse, Laboratory,Mouse, Swiss,Mus domesticus,Mus musculus domesticus,Swiss Mice,House Mice,House Mouse,Laboratory Mice,Laboratory Mouse,Mice, Swiss,Swiss Mouse,domesticus, Mus musculus

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