The first part of patch clamping smooth muscle and interstitial cells of Cajal is to prepare isolated cells. Many techniques for isolating smooth muscle cells are published. Below is the technique we have used with some success. Hanks solution for 45 minutes, with an exchange of fresh buffer every 15 min.
Tissues are then pinned mucosal side down in a dissection tray.
The muscle pieces are incubated in the dispersion medium at 37o C for 20-40 minutes with continuous agitation until single smooth muscle cells appear in the solution. Further agitation for 20-30 min leads to dispersion of isolated interstitial cells and smooth muscle cells. To return to the top of this page click here . To return to the Interstitial Cell of Cajal ToolBox Page, click here .