Figure 1.

Application of IL-1b or IL-6 depolarized and enhanced the excitability of a neuron in the submucous plexus. (a) IL-1β (10 nM) produced slowly activating depolarization of the membrane potential and enhanced excitability. Enhanced excitability is reflected by increased frequency of spike discharge during intraneuronal injection of constant-current depolarizing pulses and spontaneous spike discharge. The 2 traces are continuous. (b) IL-6 (10 nM) also produced slowly activating depolarization of the membrane potential and enhanced excitability in the same neuron. The 2 traces are continuous. The neuron had multiple long processes like Dogiel type II enteric neurons.