Enterochromaffin cell

Not to be confused with Enterochromaffin-like cell.

Enterochromaffin cell
Serotonin
Details
Identifiers
Latinendocrinocytus EC
MeSHD004759
THH3.04.02.0.00029
FMA62934
Anatomical terms of microanatomy

Enterochromaffin (EC) cells (also known as Kulchitsky cells) are a type of enteroendocrine cell, and neuroendocrine cell. They reside alongside the epithelium lining the lumen of the digestive tract and play a crucial role in gastrointestinal regulation, particularly intestinal motility and secretion.[1] They were discovered by Nikolai Kulchitsky.[2]

EC cells modulate neuron signalling in the enteric nervous system (ENS) via the secretion of the neurotransmitter serotonin and other peptides. As enteric afferent and efferent nerves do not protrude into the intestinal lumen, EC cells act as a form of sensory transduction.[1] However, recent research has shown the direct vagal connection to a specialized entero-endocrine cell, the neuropod cell. ECs known as neuropod cells rapidly relay signals from gut to brain via a direct communication with vagal and primary sensory neurons.[3] Serotonin in the ENS acts in synergy with other digestive hormones to regulate sensory and motor gastrointestinal reflexes. EC cells respond to both chemical and neurological stimuli. They are also reactive to mechanosensation, which is the case in the peristaltic reflex of the gut, and can be stimulated by a bolus moving through the bowel. Upon activation, EC cells release serotonin to act upon serotonin receptors on ENS neurons. Dependent on concentration, serotonin can then modulate peristaltic contraction and secretion through activation of smooth muscle and glands, respectively.[4]

Pulmonary neuroendocrine cells in the respiratory tract are known as bronchial Kulchitsky cells.[5]

  1. ^ a b Bertrand PP, Bertrand RL (February 2010). "Serotonin release and uptake in the gastrointestinal tract". Autonomic Neuroscience. 153 (1–2): 47–57. doi:10.1016/j.autneu.2009.08.002. PMID 19729349. S2CID 25355291.
  2. ^ Drozdov I, Modlin IM, Kidd M, Goloubinov VV (February 2009). "Nikolai Konstantinovich Kulchitsky (1856-1925)". Journal of Medical Biography. 17 (1): 47–54. doi:10.1258/jmb.2008.008038. PMID 19190200. S2CID 25289790.
  3. ^ Barton JR, Londregan AK, Alexander TD, Entezari AA, Covarrubias M, Waldman SA (2023-11-07). "Enteroendocrine cell regulation of the gut-brain axis". Frontiers in Neuroscience. 17: 1272955. doi:10.3389/fnins.2023.1272955. PMC 10662325. PMID 38027512.
  4. ^ Mawe GM, Hoffman JM (August 2013). "Serotonin signalling in the gut--functions, dysfunctions and therapeutic targets". Nature Reviews. Gastroenterology & Hepatology. 10 (8): 473–486. doi:10.1038/nrgastro.2013.105. PMC 4048923. PMID 23797870.
  5. ^ Becker KL, Silva OL (July 1981). "Hypothesis: the bronchial Kulchitsky (K) cell as a source of humoral biologic activity". Medical Hypotheses. 7 (7): 943–949. doi:10.1016/0306-9877(81)90049-9. PMID 6270516.