Do we need to revise the role of interstitial cells of Cajal in gastrointestinal motility?

The structures of the lower esophageal sphincter (LES) and body circular muscle (BCM) from opossum were compared as to neural and muscular structures and the structural relations of interstitial cells of Cajal to nerves and muscle cells. Both LES and BCM were densely innervated by nerves with varicosities containing many small agranular vesicles and a few large granular vesicles. These nerves were more closely related structurally to the interstitial cells of Cajal than to smooth muscle cells. More gap junctions were observed between smooth muscle cells and between interstitial cells of Cajal and smooth muscle cells in BCM than in LES. Those between smooth muscle cells were larger in BCM. Complete relaxation of the LES strip by isoproterenol reduced these differences but did not eliminate them. The finding that interstitial cells of Cajal often had gap-junction contacts to smooth muscle and close associations with nerves is consistent with the hypothesis that interstitial cells are intercalated between the nerves and muscles and may mediate nerve responses. These findings also suggest that LES muscle cells may be less well coupled electrically than BCM muscle cells.

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Transient Receptor Potential Canonical 4 Channel in Interstitial Cells of Cajal as a Target for Control of Gastrointestinal Motility

Journal of Neurogastroenterology and Motility ◽

10.5056/jnm20267 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 27 (2) ◽

pp. 302-304

Author(s):

Zengzi Zhou ◽

Meng Xia ◽

Jianlin Lv

Keyword(s):

Gastrointestinal Motility ◽

Interstitial Cells Of Cajal ◽

Transient Receptor Potential ◽

Receptor Potential ◽

Interstitial Cells ◽

Transient Receptor Potential Canonical ◽

Transient Receptor ◽

Cells Of Cajal

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Abnormalities of the intestinal pacemaker cells, enteric neurons, and smooth muscle in intestinal atresia

Journal of Laboratory Physicians ◽

10.4103/jlp.jlp_94_18 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 11 (03) ◽

pp. 180-185 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Radhika krishna OH ◽

Mohammed Abdul Aleem ◽

Geetha Kayla

Keyword(s):

Nervous System ◽

Small Bowel ◽

Enteric Nervous System ◽

Gastrointestinal Motility ◽

Interstitial Cells Of Cajal ◽

Interstitial Cells ◽

Enteric Neurons ◽

Small Bowel Atresia ◽

Bowel Atresia ◽

Cells Of Cajal

Abstract BACKGROUND: Small bowel atresia is a congenital disorder that carves a substantial morbidity. Numerous postoperative gastrointestinal motility problems occur. The underlying cause of this motility disorder is still unclear. Interstitial cells of Cajal (ICC) play a major role in gastrointestinal motility. AIMS AND OBJECTIVES: To investigate the morphological changes of enteric nervous system and ICC in small bowel atresia. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Resected small bowel specimen from affected patients (n=15) were divided into three parts (proximal, distal, atretic). Standard histology and immunohistochemistry with anti C-KIT receptor antibody (CD117), calretinin and α-SMA was carried out. The density of myenteric ICCs in the proximal, atretic and distal parts was demonstrated by CD 117 while Calretinin was used for ganglion cells and nerve bundles, α-SMA highlighted muscle hypertrophy. RESULT AND CONCLUSION: The proximal and distal bowel revealed clear changes in the morphology and density of enteric nervous system and interstitial cells of Cajal..

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Role of Interstitial Cells of Cajal in Motility Disorders of the Bowel

The American Journal of Gastroenterology ◽

10.1111/j.1572-0241.2003.07295.x ◽

2003 ◽

Vol 98 (3) ◽

pp. 618-624 ◽

Cited By ~ 74

Author(s):

Dhanpat Jain ◽

Khalid Moussa ◽

Manish Tandon ◽

Joan Culpepper-Morgan ◽

Deborah D. Proctor

Keyword(s):

Interstitial Cells Of Cajal ◽

Interstitial Cells ◽

Motility Disorders ◽

Cells Of Cajal

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The presence and role of interstitial cells of Cajal in the proximal intestine of shorthorn sculpin (Myoxocephalus scorpius)

Journal of Experimental Biology ◽

10.1242/jeb.141523 ◽

2016 ◽

Vol 220 (3) ◽

pp. 347-357 ◽

Cited By ~ 5

Author(s):

Jeroen Brijs ◽

Grant W. Hennig ◽

Anna-Maria Kellermann ◽

Michael Axelsson ◽

Catharina Olsson

Keyword(s):

Interstitial Cells Of Cajal ◽

Interstitial Cells ◽

Shorthorn Sculpin ◽

Myoxocephalus Scorpius ◽

Proximal Intestine ◽

Cells Of Cajal

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Local presentation of Steel factor increases expression of c-kit immunoreactive interstitial cells of Cajal in culture

AJP Gastrointestinal and Liver Physiology ◽

10.1152/ajpgi.00093.2002 ◽

2003 ◽

Vol 284 (2) ◽

pp. G313-G320 ◽

Cited By ~ 50

Author(s):

Adam Rich ◽

Steven M. Miller ◽

Simon J. Gibbons ◽

John Malysz ◽

Joseph H. Szurszewski ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Interstitial Cells Of Cajal ◽

Fibroblast Cell ◽

Interstitial Cells ◽

Culture Conditions ◽

Physical Separation ◽

Steel Factor ◽

Membrane Bound ◽

Cells Of Cajal ◽

Cell Culture Conditions

The binding of Steel factor (SF) to c-kit initiates a signaling pathway essential for development and maintenance of interstitial cells of Cajal (ICC). Soluble and membrane-bound isoforms of SF are expressed in the gastrointestinal tract, but the role for either isoform in supporting ICC development is unknown. The aim of this study was to determine the role of SF in supporting ICC in culture. ICC were cultured from dissociated mouse jejunum and grown with fibroblast cell lines that produced either soluble, membrane-bound or membrane-restricted SF. ICC were identified and counted by c-kit immunoreactivity. The number of c-kit immunoreactive cells was greater in the coculture system compared with cultures grown without SF-producing fibroblasts. All forms of SF-producing fibroblasts increased ICC number in culture but physical separation of the fibroblasts from the c-kit immunoreactive cells, the addition of exogenous SF to the culture medium, or fibroblast-conditioned media did not. These results are consistent with the hypothesis that the membrane-bound form of SF preferentially contributes to expression of c-kit-positive ICC under cell culture conditions.

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