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Rho-kinase expression in Hirschsprung’s disease

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Abstract

Background

Rho-kinase (ROCK) is the primary effector protein in the RhoA pathway, which regulates Ca2+-independent smooth muscle contraction in the human bowel. This pathway has been reported to be hyper-activated in the aganglionic bowel of EDNRB-null (−/−) rats compared to the ganglionic bowel from EDNRB (+/+) rats. We hypothesised that ROCK expression is up-regulated in human aganglionic bowel and designed this study to investigate ROCK 1 and ROCK 2 expression in Hirschsprung’s disease (HSCR) and controls.

Materials and methods

Full-length specimens were collected following pull-through surgery for HSCR (n = 9). Colonic controls (n = 6) were obtained during colostomy closure from patients with anorectal malformations. Distribution of ROCK 1/2 expression was evaluated using double-labelled immunofluorescence and confocal microscopy. ROCK1/2 protein expression was assessed in mucosa and tunica muscularis using western blot analysis.

Results

There was strong expression of both ROCK 1 and ROCK 2 in interstitial cells of Cajal (ICCs) and ganglia. ROCK 1 expression was reduced in aganglionic bowel compared to HSCR ganglionic bowel and controls in both mucosa and tunica muscularis. ROCK 2 expression was similar in the colon of children with HSCR and controls.

Conclusions

This is the first report of strong ROCK expression in colonic ICCs. Although the rat model of aganglionic bowel suggests that Ca2+-independent smooth muscle contraction involving ROCK is hyper-activated, our data indicate ROCK 1 expression is decreased in aganglionic bowel and ROCK 2 expression is unaltered in children with HSCR.

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Acknowledgments

We wish to acknowledge the assistance and guidance of Dr. Luiz Alvarez and the Departments of Histopathology in Our Lady’s Children’s Hospital, Crumlin and Children’s University Hospital, Temple St, Dublin.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. National Children’s Research Centre, Our Lady’s Children’s Hospital, Crumlin Rd., Dublin 12, Ireland

    David Coyle, Anne Marie O’Donnell, Nicolae Corcionivoschi, John Gillick & Prem Puri

  2. Department of Paediatric Surgery, Temple Street Children’s University Hospital, Temple St., Dublin 1, Ireland

    David Coyle & John Gillick

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  1. David Coyle
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  2. Anne Marie O’Donnell
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  3. Nicolae Corcionivoschi
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  4. John Gillick
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  5. Prem Puri
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Correspondence to David Coyle.

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Coyle, D., O’Donnell, A.M., Corcionivoschi, N. et al. Rho-kinase expression in Hirschsprung’s disease. Pediatr Surg Int 31, 1077–1085 (2015). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00383-015-3762-4

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