Enterochromaffin Cells (EC)

One group of enteroendocrine cells are the enterochromaffin cells, characterized by yellow granules. Named for their reaction with chrome salts. These granules contain many secretion products (e.g., serotonin, melatonin, substance P)
Rezzani et al. 2022 Int. J. Mol. Sci. 23: 3758

Enterochromaffin Cells (EC) secrete

• Corticotropin-releasing hormone (CRH) (sometimes)


• Gamma-aminobutyric acid (minor amount)


• Guanylin (minor amount)


• Melatonin


• Secretin (minor amount)


• Serotonin


• Substance P (SP)

Rezzani et al. 2022 Int. J. Mol. Sci. 23: 3758

These cells are involved in gastrointestinal inflammatory conditions, Hyperalgesia, maintenance and modulation of gut function and motility, and sensing metabolic-nutritional changes
Tsukamoto et al. 2007 Am. J. Physiol. Regul. Integr. Comp. Physiol. 293: R64-R69
Rezzani et al. 2022 Int. J. Mol. Sci. 23: 3758

Enterochromaffin Cells (EC) cells and mucosal afferents are critical initiators of visceral pain and anxiety associated with irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) or other inflammatory or postinflammatory gastrointestinal (GI) disorders.
Bayrer et al. 2023 Nature 616: 137-142

Examples of colocalization of hormones and/or their gene transcripts (most of recent data is from mouse):

• Cholecystokinin (CCK)


• Ghrelin


• Glucagon Like Peptide 1 (GLP-1)


• Motilin


• Peptide tyrosine tyrosine (Peptide YY / PYY)


• Secretin


• Tachykinins / Tachykinin peptides

Pearse et al. 1974
Roth & Gordon 1990 Proc Natl Acad Sci USA 87: 6408-6412
Reynaud et al. 2016 Cell Tissue Res 364: 489-497
Fothergill et al. 2017 Endocrinology 158: 2113-2123
Martins et al. 2017 Cell Tissue Res 367: 361-368

Enterochromaffin cells are located in the stomach, small intestine, and large intestine, have the luminal receptors G-Protein Coupled Receptor 43 (GPR43)](brain://xzeCtWH2JkqTVF4zc4JAZQ/FFARs2Receptor), G-Protein Coupled Receptor 41 (GPR41)(brain://TUTW0Ih64kigkuiwM1PVRw/FFARs3Receptor), TRPA1, toxin receptors, and Toll-Like Receptors (TLRs), and release Serotonin (5-HT). They enable intestinal motility reflexes and secretion. They trigger nausea and vomiting in response to toxins
Furness et al. 2013a Nature Reviews Gastroenterology & Hepatology 10: 729-740

The release of 5-HT at the apical side positively activates the gut microbiota, and in turn, this activation induces the proliferation of enterochromaffin cells (ECs).
Jones et al. 2020 Int J Biochem Cell Biol 125: 105776

Luminal Receptors on Enterochromaffin Cells (EC) are

• G-Protein Coupled Receptor 41 (GPR41)


• G-Protein Coupled Receptor 43 (GPR43)


• Olfactory receptor 558 (Olf-558)


• Toll-Like Receptors (TLRs)


• Toxin receptors


• Transient Receptor Potential A1 (TRPA1) Channel

Rezzani et al. 2022 Int. J. Mol. Sci. 23: 3758

Another interesting point is that ECs are electrically excitable like sensory primary cells because they have voltage-gated sodium (Na +) and calcium (Ca 2+ ) channels; moreover, they use specific receptors and signal networks to recognize important signals
Bellono et al. 2017 Cell 170(1): 185-198

Enterochromaffin cells (ECs) represent the most prevalent type of enteroendocrine cells (EECs), found within the gastrointestinal tract. These cells are extensively distributed throughout the gastric antrum, as well as the small and large intestines.
Gunawardene et al. 2011 Int J Exp Pathol 92: 219-231

see also:
Enteric nervous system (ENS) & Enteroendocrine Cells (EEC)
Enterochromaffin Cells (EC) & Serotonin (5-HT)
Enteroendocine Cell & G-Protein Coupled Receptor 41 (GPR41)
Enteroendocrine Hormones