Figure 7
(a) The cell processes of the ICs were in close proximity to the epithelium (black arrows). (b) A cell process of the IC was close proximity to a macrophage (black arrows). A cell process of the IC wraps nerves and the close proximity to the cell process of the other IC (black arrows). (c) Exosome-like structure nearby cell process of the IC (red arrowhead). (d) The IC in the lamina propria were close proximity to surrounding tissues. The IC in the lamina propria was in close proximity to the epithelial cell (black arrow), a vascular endothelial cell (black arrowhead) and a nerve (white arrow). (e) The IC in the smooth muscle layer was in close proximity to the surrounding tissues. The IC in the smooth muscle layer was in close proximity to a smooth muscle cell (black arrow) and a nerve (black arrowhead). Exosome-like structure near the cell processes of IC (red arrowhead). (f,g) TEM images of contact areas between ICs. Higher magnification of the solid black line square area (inset at the lower left corner of (f,g)). Electron-dense lines exist in the contact area between ICs (black arrows). IC, interstitial cells; E, epithelium; N, nerves; Bv, blood vessels; M, macrophages. Scale bars: 2 μm (a–g); 500 µm (inset at the lower left corner of (f,g)).
