Smooth muscle phenotypic plasticity in mechanical obstruction of the small intestine.
Chronic, partial obstruction of the small intestine can dramatically alter peristaltic contractile properties. Morphological studies have revealed hypertrophy of the circular smooth muscle cells in the constricted part of the intestine. In this issue of Neurogastroenterology and Motility, Chen et al. show that hyperplasia and hypertrophy of intestinal smooth muscle cells occur at distinct times in response to partial obstruction of the ileum. Furthermore, the first evidence is provided to link intestinal smooth muscle remodelling during mechanical obstruction with changes in serum response factor and two of its co-regulating factors, myocardin and Elk-1.
Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Snyder Institute of Infection, Immunity and Inflammation & Libin Cardiovascular Institute of Alberta, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB, Canada. jmacdo@ucalgary.ca
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MacDonald
D006984:Hypertrophy / Q000473:pathology; D007415:Intestinal Obstruction; D007421:Intestine, Small / Q000033:anatomy & histology / Q000473:pathology / Q000502:physiology; D009130:Muscle, Smooth / Q000166:cytology / Q000502:physiology; D009415:Nerve Net / Q000502:physiology; D009687:Nuclear Proteins / Q000378:metabolism; D010528:Peristalsis / Q000502:physiology; D026362:Serum Response Factor / Q000378:metabolism; D015534:Trans-Activators / Q000378:metabolism; D050807:ets-Domain Protein Elk-1 / Q000378:metabolism; D000099251:Myocardin
D009687:Nuclear Proteins; D026362:Serum Response Factor; D015534:Trans-Activators; D050807:ets-Domain Protein Elk-1; D000099251:Myocardin