Enterochromaffin cell

Enterochromaffin cell
Enterochromaffin cell
	Serotonin
Details
Identifiers
Latin	endocrinocytus EC
MeSH	D004759
TH	H3.04.02.0.00029
FMA	62934
	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] 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.^[3]

Pulmonary neuroendocrine cells in the respiratory tract are known as bronchial Kulchitsky cells.^[4]

^ ^a ^b Bertrand, Paul P.; Bertrand, Rebecca L. (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.
^ Drozdov, I.; Modlin, I. M; Kidd, M.; Goloubinov, V. V (2009). "Nikolai Konstantinovich Kulchitsky (1856-1925)". Journal of Medical Biography. 17 (1): 47–54. doi:10.1258/jmb.2008.008038. PMID 19190200. S2CID 25289790.
^ Mawe, Gary M.; Hoffman, Jill M. (2013). "Serotonin signalling in the gut—functions, dysfunctions and therapeutic targets". Nature Reviews Gastroenterology & Hepatology. 10 (8): 473–86. doi:10.1038/nrgastro.2013.105. PMC 4048923. PMID 23797870.
^ Becker, KL; Silva, OL (July 1981). "Hypothesis: the bronchial Kulchitsky (K) cell as a source of humoral biologic activity". Medical Hypotheses. 7 (7): 943–9. doi:10.1016/0306-9877(81)90049-9. PMID 6270516.

[pmid19729349-1] Bertrand, Paul P.; Bertrand, Rebecca L. (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, I. M; Kidd, M.; Goloubinov, V. V (2009). "Nikolai Konstantinovich Kulchitsky (1856-1925)". Journal of Medical Biography. 17 (1): 47–54. doi:10.1258/jmb.2008.008038. PMID 19190200. S2CID 25289790.

[pmid23797870-3] Mawe, Gary M.; Hoffman, Jill M. (2013). "Serotonin signalling in the gut—functions, dysfunctions and therapeutic targets". Nature Reviews Gastroenterology & Hepatology. 10 (8): 473–86. doi:10.1038/nrgastro.2013.105. PMC 4048923. PMID 23797870.

[Becker-4] Becker, KL; Silva, OL (July 1981). "Hypothesis: the bronchial Kulchitsky (K) cell as a source of humoral biologic activity". Medical Hypotheses. 7 (7): 943–9. doi:10.1016/0306-9877(81)90049-9. PMID 6270516.

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