Establishment of pacemaker activity in tissues allotransplanted with interstitial cells of Cajal

Background Loss or disruption of Kit+-interstitial cells of Cajal (ICC) capable of generating pacemaker activity has been implicated in the development of numerous gastrointestinal motility disorders. We sought to develop a model where ICC could be allotransplanted into intestines naturally devoid of these cells. Methods Enzymatically dispersed cells from the intestinal tunica muscularis of Kit+/copGFP and KitV558/+ gain-of-function mice were allotransplanted into myenteric plexus regions of W/WV mutant intestines that lack ICC at the level of the myenteric plexus (ICC-MY) and pacemaker activity. Immunohistochemical analysis fate mapped the development of ICC-MY networks and intracellular microelectrode recordings provided evidence for the development of functional pacemaker activity. Key Results Kit+-ICC developed into distinct networks at the level of the myenteric plexus in organotypic cultures over 28days and displayed robust rhythmic pacemaker activity. Conclusions & Inferences This study demonstrates the feasibility of allotransplantation of ICC into the myenteric region of the small intestine and the establishment of functional pacemaker activity into tissues normally devoid of ICC-MY and slow waves, thus providing a possible basis for the therapeutic treatment of patients where ICC networks have been disrupted due to a variety of pathophysiological conditions.