Sinoatrial node pacemaker cells: cardiomyocyte- or neuron-like cells?
Bin Zhou
Abstract
nature of SANPCs remains incompletely known. In general, SANPCs have long been considered as specialized cardiomyocytes However, SANPCs do not have myofibril and T-tube, thus not sharing the contractility property of cardiomyocytes Interestingly, SANPCs share some electrophysiological characteristics with neurons: excitability and conductivity. In addition, SANPCs have their intrinsic autonomic rhythm, while neurons also possess the intrinsic ability to generate spontaneous electrical impulses Whether SANPCs are neuron-like cells that reside in the heart remains enigmatic in the field.
Topics & Concepts
Sinoatrial nodeStem cellDevelopmental biologyMyocyteBiologyCell biologyNeuronNeuroscienceHuman geneticsPacemaker potentialInternal medicineMedicineEndocrinologyElectrophysiologyGeneticsHeart rateGeneBlood pressureCardiomyopathy and Myosin StudiesCardiac electrophysiology and arrhythmiasCardiac Fibrosis and Remodeling