“…Panels A and B illustrate the parallel strings of ICCs (Vector VIP stained) found in both circular (panel A) and longitudinal (panel B) that appear to serve as accessory tissue scaffolding for vagal IMAs. Panel C illustrates, as previously described (e.g., Salmhofer et al, 2001), NOS+ fibers (DAB, brown) are observed in tight association with ICCs (Vector VIP, violet); Panel D depicts, as has been previously reported (e.g., Ward et al, 2000 ), that cholinergic or VChAT+ fibers (DAB, brown) also appear to course so as to make contact with chains of ICCs (Vector VIP, violet); Panels E and F illustrate that catecholaminergic or TH+ axons (DAB, brown), as has been reported (e.g., Cobine et al, 2009), course in tight registration with the ICC scaffolds; Panels G and H illustrate the fact that (presumably visceral afferent) CGRP+ axons (DAB, brown) also course on or in conjunction with the chains of ICCs (Vector VIP, violet) with which vagal IMAs form complexes. Scale bars: Panel A: 40 μm, applies to panels A and B; Panel C: 20 μm, applies to panels C and D; Panel E: 25 μm, applies to panels E and G; Panel F: 20 μm, applies to panels F and H.…”